Morning Buzz, January 27, 2005

NHL, UNION TO CONTINUE MEETING WITHOUT BETTMAN AND GOODENOW

The NHL and NHLPA will continue labor negotiations today or tomorrow in N.Y., and the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL reports that about half of yesterday’s meeting in Toronto “was spent with the two groups separated, talking among themselves.” Devils CEO, President & GM Lou Lamoriello joined the negotiations briefly. It is believed that the next meeting - like yesterday’s and last week’s - will not include NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Exec Dir Bob Goodenow (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/27).

Following yesterday’s meeting, NHLPA President & Canucks C Trevor Linden released the following statement: “After meeting today, we have agreed to continue discussions and will not be making any further comment at this time.” NHL Exec VP & CLO Bill Daly said in a statement, “We will meet again this week. We have no further comment at this time” (THE DAILY).

NATIONALS RENEGOTIATING RADIO DEAL WITH CLEAR CHANNEL

The WASHINGTON TIMES reports that Nationals and Clear Channel Communications execs this morning will try to restructure their radio partnership “after the broadcasting giant walked away from the deal last weekend.” Clear Channel’s attorneys “found several key elements missing in the proposed revenue-sharing accord.” The Nationals also “have resumed negotiations with Infinity Broadcasting” (WASHINGTON TIMES, 1/27).

ADIDAS’ Q4 ’04 PROFIT DECLINES ON U.S. AND ASIAN INVESTMENTS

adidas this morning released its Q4 ’04 and full-year earnings, and BLOOMBERG NEWS notes that the company’s Q4 profit “fell 30[%], the first decline in more than a year,” as the company “stepped up U.S. and Asian investments to increase growth.” Q4 net income dropped 19% to $25M, compared to $35.2M in the year-ago window. Revenue for the quarter climbed 5.9% to $1.87B. Full-year profit grew 21% to $409.6M, while revenue increased 3% to $8.45B (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 1/27).

NFL CARDINALS TO UNVEIL NEW LOGO FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 1960

The ARIZONA REPUBLIC reports that the NFL Cardinals today will unveil a new logo, described by Cardinals VP & General Counsel Michael Bidwill as “dynamic and bold and aggressive.” Bidwill declined to say if the team will alter its uniforms. The club has used the same logo since 1960 (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/27).

REALITY SHOW ABOUT AGENT SELECTION PROCESS COMING TO SPIKE TV

USA TODAY notes that Universal Studios today at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, will begin filming “Super Agent,” a Spike TV reality show following Shaun Cody’s selection of an agent. The former USC DE will “winnow nine agents over eight episodes … then make the winner his agent.” Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez will host the show, which agents Jack Bechta and Josh Ripple helped create. “Super Agent” Exec Producer Rick DeOliviera said the show will be "more like ‘The Bachelor’ than ‘The Apprentice.’ It’s all about relationships” (USA TODAY, 1/27).

HYBRID CLUBS TO GRAB ATTENTION AT PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW

The 52^nd PGA Merchandise Show began this morning at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando with a business of golf panel discussion. PGA of America CEO Jim Awtrey is moderating the panel, which includes PGA of America President Roger Warren, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, USGA President Fred Ridley and two golf course development experts (THE DAILY).

USA TODAY notes that Nike and Callaway will be marketing hybrid clubs at the expo. Nike plans to have a fan “traveling the country this year to promote” its CPR hybrid clubs (USA TODAY, 1/27).

TODAY THE DAILY GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH...

Which team owner calls buying his franchise for $185M in '94 his best call, and counts Red Auerbach and Bobby Orr among his favorite memories from Boston? To find out, read today's Sports Industrialists section of The Daily.

MORNING BRIEFS

Nicorette has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with NASCAR, as well as an associate sponsorship deal with Chip Ganassi Racing for the No. 41 Nextel Cup Dodge, driven by Casey Mears. Terms of the deals were not disclosed, “but are believed to exceed $3[M] annually.” NASCAR also is “negotiating for a fitness sponsor” (USA TODAY, 1/27).

MLB’s legal counsel has approved ownership transfer documents submitted by A’s suitor Lewis Wolff and current co-Owners Steve Schott and Ken Hofmann (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/27).

Plans for a new NFL Giants stadium “stalled yesterday” as the team and the state of New Jersey “deadlocked on several issues, including how much the team should pay in rent” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 1/27).

Louisiana and Saints execs “wrapped up their first round of closed-door talks Wednesday without resolving any of the thorny issues standing in the way of keeping the football team in the Superdome through 2025” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 1/27).

The Angels yesterday signed a five-year deal with AEG Merchandising to run the Angel Stadium store, as well as sell the team’s merchandise at Team LA stores at Staples Center, The Home Depot Center and CityWalk at Universal Studios (L.A. TIMES, 1/27).

FBI agents yesterday “seized a computer, cellular phone and records from the home” of BALCO Founder Victor Conte as part of “an investigation into leaks of grand jury testimony” (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 1/27).

THE BACK PAGES

The Morning Buzz offers today’s back page sports covers from some of the nation’s major metropolitan tabloids:

N.Y. Post	N.Y. Daily News
Philadelphia Daily News	Newsday

TODAY’S EVENTS

The Detroit Tourism Economic Development Council began its “The World is Coming – Get in the Game” public information campaign for the ’05 MLB All-Star Game and next year’s Super Bowl XL with a 7:55am ET radio “advertising roadblock.”  Nearly 20 Detroit-area radio stations aired a one-minute PSA from the campaign at that time.  A TV “advertising roadblock” will commence this evening at 5:58pm on all major Detroit stations.

MLB will host an open casting call from 12:00-8:00pm CT at Minute Maid Park for its “I Live for This” ad campaign. The winners will be flown to Miami in mid-February to shoot a new spot.

NBC Sports President Ken Schanzer, Coordinating Producer David Gibson and analyst Ray Bentley will conduct a 3:00pm ET conference call to discuss the net’s coverage of the upcoming AFL season. The call was originally scheduled for yesterday.

IN OTHER NEWS….

The N.Y. TIMES reports that SBC Communications “is in talks to buy AT&T for more than $16[B].” A deal “would be a reunion of sorts, putting back together some of the largest pieces of the Ma Bell telephone monopoly, which was broken up in 1984.” Execs close to the talks described the negotiations as “fluid” and “very, very sensitive.” Spokespersons for the companies declined to comment (N.Y. TIMES, 1/27).

REUTERS reports that Sirius Satellite Radio yesterday posted a Q4 ’04 loss of $261.9M, wider than its loss of $147.8M in the same period a year ago. Sales jumped from $5M to $25.22M (REUTERS, 1/27).

FINAL JEOPARDY!

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Landmarks.”

“Located southeast of Charlottesville, Virginia, it has three stories, an octagonal dome and 33 rooms of varying shapes.”

LAUGH TRACK

THE MONOLOGUES:

NBC’s Jay Leno: “The Oscar nominations were announced yesterday. Once again, ‘Alien Versus Predator’ was completely overlooked. No matter who wins, we lose! ... ‘The Passion of the Christ’ – the Mel Gibson film – didn’t receive any nominations for a major award. This isn’t the first time Jesus has gotten bad treatment. This has happened before. Although, it did get nominated for ‘Best Musical Score,’ which is kind of strange. No disrespect, but you watch a film where Jesus is dying on the cross, and people are going, ‘Catchy tune.’ ... Today in the Senate, the vote to confirm Condoleezza Rice as the next Secretary of State was 85-13 in favor. 85-13! No, I’m sorry, that’s what the score of the Super Bowl is going to be when the Patriots beat the Eagles. ... Terrell Owens said God is healing him for the Super Bowl. He’s got a broken bone in his ankle and he said God is healing him in time for the game, and today God said, ‘Hey, leave me out of this, I’m going to give seven and take the Patriots. I got a c-note on Boston.’ ... The Fox Network is going to be trying out some new technology in this year’s Super Bowl, something called Turf Cam. They’re miniature cameras that are embedded in the field – they’re actually in the grass – looking up at the action. They say they got this idea from watching the Lingerie Bowl last year” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 1/26).

LAST NIGHT’S TV MONITOR

FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

“What is Monticello?”

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com

The Morning Buzz provides an early update of the news and headlines each Monday through Friday at approximately 9:00am ET. If you would like to sign up for an e-mail alert to the Morning Buzz, go to My Account and personalize your e-mail alert options.