The Goodwill Games concluded last night, and "by most
standards" they were "a success," according to Frank Litsky
of the N.Y. TIMES, who writes that the competition
"generally ranged from good to excellent," the athletes were
"happy," and although there "were many empty seats," the
crowds "were often enthusiastic." Litsky writes that this
year's event "lost money," but "not as much" as the first
three Games, which lost a combined $109M. Games President
Mike Plant: "We always use the word investment. We provide
an opportunity for world-class athletes to compete" (N.Y.
TIMES, 8/4). On L.I., John Jeansonne writes that the Games
"were run at the highest level of competence," adding that
the event "accomplished [its] primary goal, which was to
provide 45 hours of live programming" for Turner Sports and
"heavy synergy" for the Time Warner communications empire.
Attendance "was small," with no sellouts. The biggest
single-event gate was 11,307 for the women's gold-medal
soccer game, followed by 10,558 for Saturday night's figure
skating final. Jeansonne reports that although
"conventional wisdom" is that low ticket sales indicate
"nobody cared," Plant pointed out that the event's "first
priority was TV programming" (NEWSDAY, 8/3). Plant said
that "several" sponsors have already inquired about
renewals, "which is a big first for these Games." Final
ratings for the Games are expected to average "about" 1.7,
and Turner Sports VP/Public Relations Greg Hughes said those
numbers are comparable to the net's average rating for
Braves telecasts, adding "for 15 nights, three hours a
night, it's a solid performance" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/4).
Games officials' "stated goal" of selling 400,000 tickets
"was not met," according to Plant, who said that the final
figure "should be in the 350,000 range" (Bergen RECORD,8/2).
REAX: Media opinion varied as to the relative success
of the Games. On L.I., Ken Moritsugu wrote that while the
economic benefit "was limited at best" for local businesses,
Long Island sports boosters called the event a success
because it put them in a position "to attract future
competitions by showcasing the local athletic venues" and by
demonstrating that the area can host a "mega-event without
major glitches." Moritsugu reported, however, that some
L.I. officials "were disappointed" by the "lack of local
excitement" over the Games, and pointed out that "empty
seats were common" at skating and track events. Some felt
that Turner didn't do enough local promotion for the Games,
and Nassau County Sports Commission Chair Gary Wadler called
the event "one of the best-kept secrets" (NEWSDAY, 8/3). In
N.Y., Lenn Robbins writes under the header "Take These Games
And Shove 'Em." Noting that Plant called the N.Y. market a
"challenging" one in which to hold the Games, Robbins
writes, "So why was New York chosen in the first place to
host these games? If Plant & Co. aren't naive they are
foolish. ... Good riddance" (N.Y. POST, 8/3). In NJ, Pat
Borzi reports that the Games "started off moderately
interesting, [but] then faded." Borzi: "Speed sells, and
the Games didn't have enough" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/3).
Also in NJ, Steve Adamek wrote that on the NY metro radar
screen, "these games barely made a blip" (RECORD, 8/2).
GOODWILL NOTING: Plant "confirmed" that Games officials
are "close" to finalizing plans to stage a Winter Goodwill
Games in Lake Placid, NY, in 2000 (NEWSDAY, 8/2)....Saturday
night, Games officials "charged just" $5 to sit in Nassau
Coliseum's upper deck for the figure skating finals. The
seats had been going for $28. After "less than" 6,000
attended the first three nights of competition, Saturday
night drew a crowd of 10,558 (Bergen RECORD, 8/2). ...This
weekend's Games on CBS and TBS used Symah Vision Inc.'s
EPSIS Boards virtual signage technology during beach
volleyball, when ads for Turner nets including CNN, CNN/SI
and TNT appeared. It marked the Games' first use of virtual
ads (THE DAILY)....Plant, on whether he was concerned that
paralyzed Chinese gymnast Sang Lan's parents would sue: "I
have no feeling that that ever would be a concern. But,
yes, we can cover whatever is out there. We have more
insurance than I've ever seen" (NEWSDAY, 8/2). ...Nassau
County expects "at least" $2.5M in sales tax revenue, a
"small fraction" of the County's annual sales tax revenues,
which are usually in excess of $700M (NEWSDAY, 8/2).
