| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
9:00am ET | |
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| • | Drug Policy, MLB TV Channel On The Agenda As Owners Meetings Begin Today |
| • | Tampa Officials Meeting With NFL Execs Today In N.Y. About ’09 Super Bowl |
| • | Jacques Rogge Hopes African City Can Host Olympics “As Soon As Possible” |
| • | Paul Allen Donates $1.5M To Tsunami Relief Efforts Through Family Foundation |
| • | American Football Coaches Association Today To Discuss Coaches Poll |
| • | Morning Briefs/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
MLB OWNERS HAVE A FULL PLATE AS MEETINGS BEGIN TODAY IN ARIZONA
The MLB owners meetings begin today in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the ARIZONA REPUBLIC reported that a stricter drug-testing policy, compensating the Orioles for the Nationals’ relocation to DC, the sale of the Brewers to Mark Attanasio, the status of a World Cup of Baseball and the league’s plans to launch its own TV channel during the ’05 season are among the items expected to be discussed. The status of D’Backs CEO Jeff Moorad as a minority owner is not on the agenda, but could still be discussed (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/11).
The S.F. CHRONICLE reports that A’s co-Owner Steve Schott will introduce suitor Lewis Wolff to the MLB Ownership Committee today. Schott said that a deal to purchase the team “could be consummated ‘some time before Opening Day. It depends on how quickly [MLB] wants to move it along’” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/12).
TAMPA OFFICIALS HEAD TO N.Y. TO LEARN ABOUT ’09 SUPER BOWL
The ST. PETERSBURG TIMES reports that Tampa Bay officials will meet with NFL execs today in N.Y. to discuss the ’09 Super Bowl. Tampa Bay Sports Commission Exec Dir Rob Higgins said the NFL has invited Tampa, Miami, Atlanta and Houston “to learn about the bid timeline as well as to go through the (request for proposal).” The cities have to submit their bids at least a month before the league’s May meetings, during which the ’09 Super Bowl host will be selected (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 1/12).
FANFEST ATTENDEES WILL GET CLOSE LOOK AT DAYTONA CHANGES
The NASCAR Preseason Thunder FanFest begins this morning at Daytona Int’l Speedway’s new FanZone infield, and the Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL reports that after a $30M renovation, the infield “has taken on a whole new look.” The four FanFest days “will provide the first test of the new real estate, as well as a shakedown needed to iron any kinks before the crush of Speed Weeks next month” (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 1/12).
DIVISION I-A FOOTBALL COACHES DISCUSSING CHANGES TO POLL
The American Football Coaches Association convention concludes today in Louisville, and the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION reported that topics will include starting the coaches poll in mid-October instead of August and making individual coaches’ votes public. While USA Today publishes the coaches poll, the AFCA “can choose the first date that it will be released.” The AFCA will poll coaches on these topics today, “but no final decisions will be made until later this year” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/11).
MORNING BRIEFS
In his first trip to the continent since his election as IOC President, Jacques Rogge yesterday said that he hopes the Olympics will come to Africa “as soon as possible.” Rogge said a city would need “good security, transportation and venues, as well as a compact layout, a minimum of 30,000 hotel rooms and a strong national team” (USA TODAY, 1/12).
Hurricanes Owner Peter Karmanos yesterday said of the NHL lockout, “My gut feeling is that this season's gone.” Karmanos added that he believes the league will be out of action “as long as it takes” to get the owners’ desired cost certainty. Karmanos: “I know personally that I'd be willing to risk another season” (CP, 1/11).
The Nationals are "hours away" from signing a three-year deal with Clear Channel Communications that would make WTEM-AM the team's flagship radio station (WASHINGTON POST, 1/12).
Anaheim City Council member Richard Chavez claimed the panel is unified in fighting the Angels’ name change after several Council members on Monday “suggested the council consider how long to fight the Angels in court and how much taxpayer money to spend.” Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle: “The exit strategy is to win” (L.A. TIMES, 1/12).
The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation yesterday made three grants of $500,000 each to Northwest Medical Teams, Mercy Corps and World Vision for tsunami relief. Additionally, the Seahawks and Trail Blazers, both owned by Allen, collected $200,000 from fans and players to donate to relief efforts (Paul G. Allen Family Foundation).
Georgia state legislators yesterday introduced a resolution to rename the Univ. of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium to Dooley-Sanford Stadium to honor longtime UGA AD Vince Dooley. However, the family of former Georgia President Steadman Sanford “objects to changing the name” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/12).
Acting New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey yesterday delivered his first State of the State address, “rattling off the progress he has made so far” on several issues, including negotiations to build a new stadium for the Giants (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 1/12).
AOL today will announce an agreement with Cardinals RB Emmitt Smith to provide analysis on AOL Sports’ live radio program “The Show” through the Super Bowl (AOL).
WQAM -AM has extended its contract with the Univ. of Miami to continue carrying football, basketball and baseball games through ’07-08 (MIAMI HERALD, 1/12).
LIGHTER BUZZ
The PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE reports that a recent memo from US Airways "spelled out what airport employees can and cannot do leading up to" Saturday's Jets-Steelers game. Workers can wear a pin or tie, but they "have to keep it conservative. Employees can't paint themselves black and gold or wear a Ben Roethlisberger T-shirt over their US Airways uniform" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 1/12).
THE BACK PAGES
The Morning Buzz offers today’s back page sports covers from some of the nation’s major metropolitan tabloids:
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| N.Y. Post | N.Y. Daily News |
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| Philadelphia Daily News | Newsday |
TODAY’S EVENTS
The K.C. City Council will review Minneapolis-based M.A. Mortenson Co.’s selection as construction manager for the Sprint Center. The council will “focus on how bids were scored, what influence the arena operator had on the process and whether the winner got any coaching from the selection team” (K.C. BUSINESS JOURNAL, 1/7 issue).
The CFL Calgary Stampeders will host a 1:00pm MT news conference to unveil their new ownership group, which consists of Ted Hellard, John Forzani and Doug Mitchell, among others. The final documents transferring ownership from Michael Feterik were signed yesterday afternoon (CALGARY SUN, 1/12).
CBS Sports will conduct a 3:00pm ET conference call to discuss this weekend’s NFL Divisional Playoff Games. CBS Sports President Sean McManus, Exec Producer Tony Petitti and talent Phil Simms, Dan Deirdorf and Dan Marino will participate.
Patriots Vice Chair Jonathan Kraft and Putman Investments President & CEO Charles Haldeman Jr. will deliver the keynote addresses at the United Chamber of Commerce’s 17th Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation Luncheon at Gillette Stadium.
IN OTHER NEWS….
BLOOMBERG NEWS reports that Disney is “considering an expansion in the video-game business.” The company is “developing games that carry Disney, ESPN, and non-Disney brands for current game consoles as well as next-generation Microsoft Corp. Xbox and Sony Corp. PlayStation 2 systems. It’s also targeting handheld devices and online games” (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 1/12).
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “English Royalty.”
“One of the three years in which three different kings reigned.”
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
CBS’ David Letterman: “It’s like a bloodbath over at CBS News. Have you heard about all the firings? It’s crazy. I believe the last time this many CBS executives got fired was shortly after I was hired. ... The people who got fired by CBS News were treated shabbily. They were all called together and forced to form a naked pyramid. ... The New York Mets have now signed Carlos Beltran for $119[M]. One hundred and nineteen million dollars, and when you’re trying to balance your checkbook, that may sound like a lot of money to you, but look at it this way: He’s still got to pay for his own steroids. I’ve looked at this from both sides and it’s a fantastic deal for Beltran. One hundred and nineteen million, plus with the Mets, he gets Octobers off. ... Did you hear Mahmoud Abbas was elected President in Palestine? I understand the votes were counted by Mahmoud Abbas’ brother, Jeb Abbas” (“Late Show,” CBS, 1/11).
NBC’s Jay Leno: “Do you believe how much rain we’ve had? In fact, over at Sunset Boulevard they just legalized riverboat gambling. It was so wet out, Robert Blake left his spear gun at the Fratellos'. ... Do you know the difference between L.A. freeways and Robert Blake’s defense? The L.A. freeways actually hold water. ... The Red Cross, for victims of the storm, was asking for donations of food and clothing, any clothing; well, except Kobe Bryant jerseys. They can’t seem to give those away. ... There’s yet another NFL player with a crack problem. But enough about Randy Moss. ... To reach college athletes, the NCAA announced they are launching an anti-gambling campaign on the Cartoon Network. You know what’s sad about this? Not the gambling, but the best way to reach college athletes is the Cartoon Network” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 1/11).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night’s Top Ten List was “Top Ten Proposed Changes At CBS News” (“Late Show,” CBS, 1/11).
| 10) “Stories must be corroborated by at least two really strong hunches.” |
| 9) “‘Evening News’ pre-show staff cocktail hour cancelled until further notice.” |
| 8) “Reduce ’60 Minutes’ to more manageable 15-20 minutes.” |
| 7) “Change division name from ‘CBS News’ to ‘CBS News-ish.’” |
| 6) “If anchor says anything inaccurate, earpiece delivers an electric shock.” |
| 5) “Conclude each story with comical ‘boing’ sound effect.” |
| 4) “Instead of boring Middle East reports, more Powerball drawings.” |
| 3) “To play it safe, every ‘exclusive’ story will be about how tasty pecan pie is.” |
| 2) “Not sure how, but make CBS News more like ‘C.S.I.’” |
| 1) “Use beer, cash and hookers to lure Tom Brokaw out of retirement.” |
LAST NIGHT’S TV MONITOR
| Net | Show | Lead | Next Items |
| ESPN | “Around The Horn” | Yankees P Randy Johnson | Vikings WR Randy Moss’ TD celebration; Kings-Magic trade |
| ESPN | “PTI” | Yankees P Randy Johnson | Colts K Mike Vanderjagt's comments on Patriots; Randy Moss |
| ESPN | 11:00pm ET “SportsCenter” | Heat-Suns | Yankees P Randy Johnson; Nets F Richard Jefferson out for season |
| FSN | “I, Max” | Mets CF Carlos Beltran | Yankees P Randy Johnson; Vanderjagt’s comments on Patriots |
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
“What are the years 1066, 1483 and 1936?”
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