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Closing Bell

Closing Bell, February 12, 2002

 
The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Tuesday, February 12, 2002
4:00pm ET

Salt Lake City Winter Games: Ratings, Schedules & Additional Links

Thorough Security Checks Of Competing Athletes Called Into Question

Growing Olympic Athletes Cannot Live On Big Macs Alone

Simpson Denies Intention To File Lawsuit Against NASCAR

L.A. Establishes Business Plan; Should The NFL Come Calling?

Buzzer Beaters/In Other News/Articles of Interest/Channel Surfing


THE SALT LAKE CITY WINTER GAMES, DAY 5: TONIGHT'S EVENTS

The following presents a day-by-day Nielsen ratings trend for the Winter Olympic Games.

'02
'98
% +/-
Opening Ceremony
25.5/42
17.1/29
49%
2nd Day
17.1/30
12.3/22
39%
3rd Day
17.6/27
20.2/30
-13%
4th Day
19.6/30
14.8/23
32%
Cumulative
20.1/32
16.1/26
25%

TOP MARKETS FOR MONDAY NIGHT'S COVERAGE
MARKET
RAT/SHR
Salt Lake City
41.6/60
Portland, OR
30.1/43
Seattle
28.1/43
Denver
26.8/39
West Palm Beach
26.5/36
Minneapolis
26.2/40

NBC's four-day primetime nightly average stands at a 20.1/32 Nielsen rating, a 25% increase over CBS' Nagano four-day average of 16.1/26 (THE DAILY).

CNBC's primetime hockey coverage Saturday night (6:00pm-12:00am ET) averaged a 0.6 national rating or 453,000 HHs. Those figures are up 200% and 160%, respectively, from the 0.2 rating or 174,000 HHs the network was averaging for that time slot prior to the start of the Winter Games. The network's primetime hockey coverage on Sunday night (6:00pm-12:00am ET) averaged a 0.8 national rating or 653,000 HHs, up 300% and 296%, respectively, from ratings recorded before the start of the Games (THE DAILY).

TONIGHT'S SCHEDULE ON NBC
TONIGHT'S SCHEDULE ON CNBC

THOROUGH SECURITY CHECKS OF ATHLETES MAY TONE DOWN

The Melbourne AGE reports that Salt Lake City Games organizers "have asked the American secret service to tone down the intense security searches of athletes at the Winter Olympics." This follows complaints by many international teams that their athletes "were being harassed by the number of security checks." Sources said that the thoroughness of the security screening "would be reduced to a 'more acceptable' level over the next few days if the FBI and CIA agreed" (Melbourne AGE, 2/13).

Meanwhile, REUTERS reports that Belarus Deputy Sports Minister Alexander Grigorov "has charged U.S. Winter Olympics organizers with not providing enough food to its athletes and feeding them on McDonald's hamburgers." Grigorov told UT television: "The biathletes have not received dinner for three days. We've had trouble with food from the very first day" (REUTERS, 2/12).


HOLDING DISCUSSES CONTRIBUTIONS TO GAMES ON "LUNCH"

On "Power Lunch" this afternoon, CNBC's Mike Hegedus profiled R. Earl Holding, the Salt Lake City-based billionaire who owns Snowbasin, the site of the '02 Games alpine skiing events, and the city's Grand America hotel. Hegedus said Holding "sees the ski resort and the hotel – both built with his cash -- as his contribution to Salt Lake and the Winter Olympics." Holding: "Some of the people from Europe didn't think there were enough first-class hotel rooms here in the town. I made two commitments – one was build this hotel; and the other commitment I made was to build the ski resort that could hold the downhill races" ("Power Lunch," CNBC, 2/12).

Read today's Olympic Articles of Interest, and view today's Olympic Daily Stat.

Click on the buttons below for additional Olympic links:

OFFICIAL SITES

NEWS SITES

NGB/SPORTS SITES

IOC/TOP SPONSORS

OLYMPIC HISTORY

OLYMPIC TRIVIA



SIMPSON DENIES REPORTED LAWSUIT AGAINST NASCAR

Simpson Performance Products, in response to news reports that the company is filing a lawsuit against NASCAR, said through a statement it "is not a party to any lawsuit against NASCAR, nor does the company intend to become a party to a lawsuit in the future." Simpson CEO Chuck Davies: "We have been working cooperatively with NASCAR for the past several months on ways to improve driver safety, to support NASCAR's efforts on building strong safety programs and to contribute valuable input to the process. We believe our energy is best spent working together to avoid tragic incidents in the future" (THE DAILY).


MCFARLANE BATS THE CYCLE WITH NEW MLB LICENSING DEAL

McFarlane Toys today announced a licensing agreement with MLB to produce McFarlane's Sports Picks MLB baseball figures. The product will debut at the ongoing American International Toy Fair in N.Y., along with the newest McFarlane's Sports Picks NFL, NHL and NBA product lines. The MLB line will include Mariners OF Ichiro Suzuki, Red Sox P Pedro Martinez, Rangers C Ivan Rodriguez, Mets C Mike Piazza, Cubs OF Sammy Sosa and Dodgers OF Shawn Green (THE DAILY).


NBA, VERIZON WIRELESS MAKE THE CALL ON SPONSORSHIP DEAL

Verizon Wireless announced today it officially will sponsor the "NBA on NBC" halftime shows for the remainder of the season and through the '02 NBA Finals. In addition, Verizon will advertise on "NBA Inside Stuff" on NBC, and in NBA publications. Verizon and the NBA also will team up on a joint marketing effort that uses the latest wireless technology to provide fans with NBA information on their wireless phones (THE DAILY).


L.A. CITY COUNCIL TAKES PRELIMINARY STEPS TO LURING NFL

The AP reports that the L.A. City Council "unanimously approved a three-year business plan aimed at wooing an NFL team to the Rose Bowl." Council member Paul Little: "'We … recognize that the NFL, at some point, will come back to Los Angeles. It's not a question of if, but really when and under what terms. It is in the best interests of the city and the Rose Bowl for us to at least make an effort to have that be on our terms." Officials did not name any teams they would try to attract (AP, 2/12).


MOCHAS GRACIAS: SONICS GIVEAWAY TARGETS COFFEE CLATCH

The SEATTLE TIMES reports that, effective immediately, fans "can get two Sonics game tickets for the price of one at Puget Sound-area Starbucks Coffee locations, with the purchase of a mocha beverage." Customers who buy mochas receive a "voucher for a free ticket when a $20, $25, $35 or $40 ticket is purchased" (SEATTLE TIMES, 2/12).


BUZZER BEATERS

MLB today approved the sale of the Marlins to a group led by Jeffrey Loria, as well as the acquisition of the Expos by MLB. Meanwhile, Tony Tavares has been named as the Expos President. Omar Minaya will serve as the team's VP & GM, Frank Robinson the team's field manager, and Claude Delorme will remain as Exec VP/Business Affairs (THE DAILY).

CMGI Field will host the MLS Cup, scheduled to be held October 20, 2002, which marks the third time that the MLS champion will be crowned in New England (THE DAILY).

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) announced today that NASCAR driver Jimmy Spencer will partner with the agency's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. Spencer and his family will help demonstrate the benefits of staying drug free and promote resources available to parents for preventing drug use (THE DAILY).


OLYMPIC ARTICLES OF INTEREST

The HOUSTON CHRONICLE's John Lopez on buzz surrounding Houston's bid for the 2012 Games.

The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES' Jay Mariotti profiles Herb Brooks and the U.S. men's hockey team.

The WASHINGTON TIMES' Patrick Hruby on the cost of competing in the Winter Games.

CBS MarketWatch's Tim Haran on pin fever sweeping the Winter Games.


TODAY'S ARTICLES OF INTEREST

The Nashville TENNESSEAN's Joe Biddle on the "network filler" that is the NBA All-Star Game.

The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES runs a commentary by DePaul Univ. Professor of Religious Studies Michael Eric Dyson on the exaggerated "patriotic correctness" that engulfed the NBA All-Star Game.

The ORLANDO SENTINEL's Jim Leusner on the investigation into Dale Earnhardt's death, and two lives who were affected by it.

USA TODAY's Chris Jenkins on Earnhardt's legacy and NASCAR's important safety reforms.

The ORLANDO SENTINEL's Ed Hinton on Jeff Gordon's position atop the Winston Cup circuit.

The INDIANAPOLIS STAR's Steve Ballard on Gordon's assumed leadership role.

The DALLAS MORNING NEWS' Terry Blount profiles Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The DENVER POST's Mike Chambers on NASCAR's growth spurts.

See The Daily Insider's Articles Of Interest section for more sports business-related links.


TONIGHT'S EVENTS

The Padres will dedicate four Little Padres Parks in El Centro, CA, at 4:00pm PT (THE DAILY).

Tommy Lasorda and Mets manager Bobby Valentine will be named International Baseball Men of the Century and Humanitarian of the Year, respectively, at the 16th Annual Armenian-American Sports Hall of Fame banquet at 6:30pm PT at the Newport Marriott in Newport Beach, CA (THE DAILY).


IN OTHER NEWS……

In a potential big shift in the local television landscape, CBS "is closing in on a deal to buy KCAL Los Angeles from Young Broadcasting for a price believed to be in the neighborhood of $600 million" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 2/12).


THE DAILY STAT: TRACKING OLYMPIC ATHLETES ON THE WEB

The following are the most recently-searched Winter Olympic athletes on the web according to Lycos and the Yahoo! Buzz Index. The Lycos data is the most-searched athletes among Lycos' search engines for the week ending February 9th. Yahoo tracks the most-searched athletes in their searches for the week ending February 10th:

MOST RECENTLY-SEARCHED WINTER OLYMPIC ATHLETES
LYCOS RK
ATHLETE
YAHOO! RK
ATHLETE
1)
Michelle Kwan
1)
Michelle Kwan
2)
Picabo Street
2)
Sasha Cohen
3)
Sasha Cohen
3)
Picabo Street
4)
Apolo Ohno
4)
Jeremy Bloom
5)
Mario Lemieux
5)
Sarah Hughes
6)
Bode Miller
6)
Apolo Ohno
7)
Sarah Hughes
7)
John Zimmerman
8)
Alexei Yagudin
8)
Kelly Clark
9)
Jonny Moseley
9)
Jonny Moseley
10)
Eric Lindros
10)
Bode Miller


CHANNEL SURFING

CNBC will air Winter Olympics coverage – Curling and Men's Ice Hockey – at 6:00pm ET.

ESPN will air men's college basketball: Illinois-Michigan St. at 7:00pm ET, and Florida-Georgia at 9:00pm ET.

ESPN2 will air NFL Films Super Bowl Recap at 7:30pm ET.

ESPN2 will air men's college basketball, Georgetown-Seton Hall, at 8:00pm ET.

NBC will air Winter Olympics coverage – Freestyle Skiing, Figure Skating, Luge, Ski Jumping and Speed Skating – at 8:00pm ET.

TBS will air Knicks-Magic at 8:00pm ET, and Wizards-Lakers at 10:30pm ET.

ESPN2 will air Sharks-Oilers at 10:00pm ET.

ESPN Classic's "SportsCentury" will profile Dan Jansen at 7:30pm ET, and Deion Sanders at 8:00pm ET.

NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett and Patriots DE Roman Phifer will be on ESPN's "Unscripted."

Warriors G Jason Richardson and NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip will be on FSN's "The Best Damn Sports Show Period."

Redskins coach Steve Spurrier and defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis will be on FSN's "The Last Word."

A&E's "Biography" will profile The Boston Strangler at 8:00pm ET.

E!'s "True Hollywood Story" will profile the TV show "Baywatch"at 8:00pm ET.

NBC will air "The Olympic Tonight Show" with Jay Leno at 11:30pm ET. Tonight's edition will feature the U.S. women's bobsled team and Macy Gray.


HEADLINERS

Here are tonight's headline guests on the following talk shows:

"The Late Show"

Denis Leary

"The Tonight Show"

Kevin Costner

"The Late Late Show"

Patrick Swayze

"Late Night"

Pre-Empted

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

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