| | The Daily Insider
Afternoon News & Headlines
Wednesday, March 6, 2002
4:00pm ET | |
| • | World's Most Famous Arena Source Of New Heavyweight Bout |
| • | FIFA Inks adidas As Web Site Partner |
| • | Solheim Cup To Be Held In Back-To-Back Years In Schedule Shakeup |
| • | New Preseason Deal Turns Edward Jones Dome Into Charter House |
| • | National Sports Marketing Expands Into CBA Team Ownership |
| • | Buzzer Beaters/In Other News/Daily Stat/Channel Surfing |
MURDOCH TO END CABLEVISION PARTNERSHIP WITH DOLAN FAMILY
The Newark STAR-LEDGER reports News Corp. Chair Rupert Murdoch "plans to end a partnership with Cablevision Corp." by exercising "an option [to] sell his 40% stake in Cablevision's Madison Square Garden unit back to the Long Island-based cable giant." The move may cost Cablevision between $700-800M. Additionally, the move "could affect the cost of cable service for Cablevision's New Jersey customers and even how much the Knicks and Rangers spend on free agents." Murdoch is reportedly unhappy with Cablevision's "recent decision to make MSG Network its sports broadcasting priority by shifting to an around-the-clock sports schedule and adding 50 Mets games to MSG's lineup" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 3/6).
ADIDAS EXPANDS TIES WITH FIFA WITH WEB SITE MARKETING DEAL
Yahoo! Inc. and FIFA announced today that adidas has become an official global marketing partner of FIFAworldcup.com, the official Web site of the '02 World Cup. Under terms of the deal, adidas, already an official partner of the FIFA World Cup, will receive additional visibility across the global Yahoo! network (THE DAILY).
Meanwhile, ACCOUNTANCYAGE.com reports a KPMG internal report predicts FIFA "could lose [US$234.7M] this year." The "unexpected loss" would be mainly due to increased insurance premiums for this year's World Cup (ACCOUNTANCYAGE.com, 3/6).
FIFA President Sepp Blatter, at a Monday press conference in Cyprus, "was reluctant to answer questions" concerning allegations of dishonesty over finances and buying votes to secure his '98 election (DAILY MAIL & GUARDIAN, 3/5).
WOMEN'S SOLHEIM CUP MOVES TO AVOID RYDER CUP CONFLICT
The AP reports the Solheim Cup "will move forward a year to avoid a conflict with golf's other major biennial team event – the Ryder Cup." The move will take place following this year's event, which is scheduled for September 20-22 in Edina, MN. The Solheim Cup will return in '03 at the Barseback Golf and Country Club in Sweden (AP, 3/6).
CHARTER INKS PRESEASON SPONSORSHIP PACT WITH RAMS
Charter Communications Inc. and the Rams have partnered on a three-year agreement that gives Charter sponsorship of a pre-season home game and key sign placements, along with an "Internet Café," at the Edward Jones Dome. Also included in the deal is a provision for the two parties to develop and produce a cable TV show featuring members of the team and staff. Additionally, Charter becomes the official sponsor of the annual Rams' wives holiday toy collection (THE DAILY).
NATIONAL SPORTS MANAGEMENT ACQUIRES CBA BEEZ
The Fargo FORUM reports "[Chris] Holland's three-year run as majority owner of the [CBA] Fargo-Moorhead Beez concluded Tuesday with the trucking magnate selling the franchise to National Sports Management (NSM)." Holland and his four partners will maintain a minority stake in the club. The Phoenix-based marketing firm "conducts campaigns" for the IRL, and also represents pro athletes. NSM Dir of Marketing Richard Young "will directly oversee the Beez [and] hopes to infuse a slew of national sponsorships and promotions" (Fargo FORUM, 3/6)
BUZZER BEATERS
MULTICHANNEL NEWS reported HBO execs are "currently negotiating" with Bob Costas to renew his deal to host "On the Record," which expires in June. The deal would renew HBO's "contract clause insisting that Costas not appear on any other cable-network program." The non-compete clause "would put a wrench" in ABC/ESPN's expected pursuit of Costas for its NBA coverage once his deal with NBC expires (MULTICHANNEL NEWS, 3/5).
ESPN announced that last week's telecast of the PBA World Championship from Toledo, OH, averaged a 1.39 rating, representing 1,198,512 HHs, making it the most viewed bowling telecast since '90. Since the season started September 25, ESPN's 19 PBA events have averaged a 0.84 rating, representing 717,855 HHs. Through the same time period last year, ESPN averaged a 0.72 rating and 581,783 HHs (15 telecasts) for an increase of 17 % in ratings and 23 percent in HHs (THE DAILY).
The FuturesGolf Tour, the official developmental tour of the LPGA, announced Tuesday the addition of two tournaments to its '02 Tour schedule. The Greater K.C. Futures Golf Classic will be held May 17-19 in Richmond, MO, and the Garden State Futures Golf Classic will be held August 2-4 in Manalapan, NJ (THE DAILY).
The AP reports that "European soccer's governing body on Wednesday moved the UEFA Cup quarterfinal between Hapoel Tel Aviv and AC Milan on March 14 to a neutral venue." The game is expected to be played on the same date, although the new venue has yet to be named. A UEFA statement said, "In light of the current tragic events in Israel, no competition matches can be staged in the country until further notice" (AP, 3/6).
Delta Airlines announced today the addition of 23 nonstop round-trip flights between Atlanta and Augusta, GA, to accommodate increased traffic for the '02 Masters Tournament in Augusta (THE DAILY).
CA-based Easton Sports announced Tuesday it has entered into a four-year sponsorship agreement with USA Baseball to become the organization's Official Shoe Supplier (THE DAILY).
S.F.-based Clickability and NASCAR.com announced today an agreement to integrate Clickability's suite of tools, including functions allowing user to email, print and save stories on the site, into NASCAR.com (THE DAILY).
Palace Resorts announced today the opening of a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Moon Palace Golf Resort in Cancun, Mexico, for the fall of '02. This becomes the first Nicklaus-designed course in the Cancun area (THE DAILY).
Former Eagles RB and broadcaster Al Pollard passed away Sunday at the age of 73 due to lymphoma (AP, 3/6).
TODAY'S ARTICLES OF INTEREST
The WASHINGTON POST's Andrew Beyer on the state of Magna Entertainment Corp.'s Gulfstream Park.
The DAYTON DAILY NEWS' Doug Harris on OH State Univ. fans' devotion to college football.
As part of a series honoring the 30th anniversary of Title IX, the RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH's John Markon attempts to properly define the law.
As part of a series honoring the 30th anniversary of Title IX, the RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH's Vic Dorr Jr. profiles basketball player Loretta Seredni and other females overlooked before the law was passed.
The PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS' Paul Hagen on uncharted waters being treaded by the "unwanted" Expos.
IN OTHER NEWS….
REUTERS reports CSFB "raised its 12-month price target and earnings forecast for Nike Inc. on Wednesday, citing a belief that the athletic shoe and apparel industry is headed for an upturn" (REUTERS, 3/6).
Meanwhile, Nike announced today the promotion of Tom Kennedy to GM of U.S. Apparel and Mark Koppes to GM of Men's U.S. Apparel. Kennedy will be responsible for both sport-specific and lifestyle-based apparel for the company's men's, women's, boy's and girls' lines, and will report to USA Operations President Gary DeStefano (THE DAILY).
TONIGHT'S EVENTS
ESPN is hosting "X Games Night at the SiXers," with skier Jonny Moseley, in-line skater Kelly Matthews and flatland bike stunt rider Matt Wilhelm. During breaks in the action of the Cavaliers-76ers game, Wilhelm will perform on the court while Moseley and Matthews will sign autographs and participate in in-game features (THE DAILY).
Ilitch Charities For Children will present a $25,000 van to Alternatives for Girls, a group which helps homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence and exploitation, during the second period intermission at tonight's Maple Leafs-Red Wings game (THE DAILY).
MLS Wizards Investor-Operator Lamar Hunt and Wizards GM Curt Johnson will speak at the Heartland Soccer Association Coaches Meeting at the Pavilion at Arrowhead in K.C., starting at 7:00pm CT (THE DAILY).
Mets C Mike Piazza will be honored by HELP USA, an organization that helps the homeless become self-reliant, at the group's annual dinner in N.Y. (N.Y TIMES, 3/3).
THE DAILY STATS
The following lists the final Nielsen ratings for the top ten primetime shows for the week of Feb. 25 - Mar. 3. Also provided are Nielsen ratings averages season to date for the Nets primetime coverage (USA TODAY, 3/6).
| TOP TEN PRIMETIME NIELSEN RATINGS FOR FEB. 25 - MAR. 3 |
| RK | PROGRAM | NET | DAY | RAT/SHR | VIEWERS
(IN MILLIONS) |
| 1) | Friends | NBC | Thu | 17.4/27 | 27.5 |
| 2) | CSI | CBS | Thu | 17.1/26 | 28.7 |
| 3) | ER | NBC | Thu | 16.3/27 | 24.9 |
| 4) | Everybody Loves Raymond | CBS | Mon | 14.0/21 | 22.5 |
| 4) | Leap of Faith | NBC | Thu | 14.0/21 | 20.8 |
| 6) | Survivor: Marquesas | CBS | Thu | 13.0/20 | 23.2 |
| 7) | Law & Order | NBC | Wed | 12.3/20 | 17.9 |
| 8) | Will & Grace | NBC | Thu | 12.1/18 | 18.2 |
| 9) | Grammy Awards | CBS | Wed | 11.9/19 | 19.0 |
| 10) | 60 Minutes | CBS | Sun | 11.6/19 | 16.9 |
| NIELSEN AVERAGES SEASON-TO-DATE |
| NBC | 9.2 |
| CBS | 8.1 |
| ABC | 6.5 |
| Fox | 6.2 |
| UPN | 2.8 |
| WB | 2.5 |
CHANNEL SURFING
ESPN will air the Big East men's college basketball first round game, Villanova-Syracuse, at 7:00pm ET and Seton Hall –St. John's, at 9:30pm ET.
ESPN2 will air the Northeast Conference college basketball tournament final, Quinnipiac-Central Connecticut, at 7:30pm ET.
TNT will air Lakers-Jazz at 8:00pm.
ESPN2 will air the Conference USA men's college basketball tournament first round game, Tulane-Saint Louis, at 9:30pm ET.
ESPN Classic's "SportsCentury" will profile Ben Hogan at 8:00pm ET.
Tennis' Alexandra Stevenson will be on ESPN's "Unscripted."
Univ. of OR coach Ernie Kent joins Univ. of AZ G Jason Gardner and F Luke Walton on FSN's "The Last Word."
A&E's "Biography" will profile Gary Condit at 8:00pm ET.
E!'s "True Hollywood Story" shows "Grace, Caroline, Stephanie: The Curse of the Royal Family" at 8:00pm ET.
HEADLINERS
Here are tonight's headline guests on the following talk shows:
| "The Late Show" | Cate Blanchett (r) |
| "The Tonight Show" | Ron Howard |
| "The Late Late Show" | Ron Howard (r) |
| "Late Night" | Jeremy Irons |
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
dailyinsider@sportsbusinessdaily.com
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