Morning Buzz, February 13, 2003

SENATE COMMITTEE WITNESS LIST DEVOID OF USOC OFFICERS

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will conduct a full committee hearing at 9:30am ET to examine possible structural and organizational reforms of the USOC to determine what can be done to make the organization more effective and efficient. The tentative witness list includes USOC Ethics Committee Counsel Fred Fielding, MLBPA Exec Dir & USOC Exec Donald Fehr, USOC VP Anita DeFrantz, NYC 2012 Management Committee Chair Harvey Schiller, John Hancock Financial Services Chair & CEO David D’Alessandro and USOC Int’l Relations Committee Member Donna de Varona. U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) chairs the committee (THE DAILY).

U.S. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), who has been outspoken committee member in his criticism of the USOC, vowed to “start some sparks” today. Campbell: “They need a major structural overhaul. Look at their organizational chart. It’s a maze. I defy anybody to get through the damn thing” (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/13).

Campbell also hinted that Monday’s resignation of USOC CMO Toby Wong might also be discussed (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 2/13).

In CO Springs, Meri-Jo Borzilleri writes, “In a move as subtle as a flashing neon sign, not one officer in the organization was invited to be part of today’s Senate Committee hearing. … Congress means business, and it’s clear from the invitation list that that doesn’t necessarily mean taking suggestions from Olympic leaders” (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 2/13).

NBC BOXING DEAL INCLUDES TELEMUNDO COMPONENT

USA TODAY reports that NBC and Main Events today will announce the “long-rumored deal … to return boxing to network TV. But there’s a twist.” Telemundo, which reaches 91% of U.S. Hispanic viewers, will have an “hour of the undercard before steering viewers to NBC,” which hasn’t broadcast a professional bout since ’92. The net will air the Main Events-promoted bouts on three consecutive Saturdays in May, with the May 3 and May 17 cards leading into the Kentucky Derby and Preakness (USA TODAY, 2/13).

WAGERING REPORT STATES CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE IS NOT DOWN

USA TODAY notes that an interim report on the integrity of horse racing wagering prepared by former N.Y. Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s firm and the NTRA Wagering Technology Group will be released today. In part, the report which was commissioned following the Breeders’ Cup Pick Six betting scandal, states: “Customer confidence and public opinion relating to horse racing have not declined since Oct. 26th and, if anything, have somewhat improved.” Giuliani: “It served as a wake-up call, which the industry took very seriously, even more so I think than what happened in other industries” (USA TODAY, 2/13).

DECISION TO SUPPORT LONDON BID DELAYED DUE TO IRAQ CRISIS

The FINANCIAL TIMES reports that British lawmakers have postponed a decision scheduled for today on whether or not to support a London bid for the 2012 Olympics “for at least a further fortnight because of the need to spend more time discussing the prospect of war in Iraq” (FINANCIAL TIMES, 2/13).

MORNING BRIEFS

The LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL reports that the NASCAR Winston Cup UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, to be held March 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, is sold out, marking the “earliest sellout for the … track since its first Cup race” in ‘98. The crowd is “expected to top last year’s record crowd of 137,500” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 2/13).

Alamodome Dir Mike Abington today will update city leaders on his negotiations to bring the Cowboys back to San Antonio for a second consecutive training camp (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 2/13).

The Toronto GLOBE & MAIL reports that officials from Quebec and NY “met for the first time yesterday to officially launch the long process of examining the feasibility of holding the 2014, 2018 or 2022 Winter Olympics simultaneously in Lake Placid, NY, and Montreal” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 2/13).

USA TODAY reports that beginning today PGATour.com’s TourCast coverage is “available for sneak peeks” around the Buick Invitational. TourCast offers graphics showing how every shot is played in tournaments. Users can manipulate the graphics to “show how the leaders played any given hole.” Initially, TourCast will be free, but “eventually will cost $10 monthly.” The service formally launches February 20 (USA TODAY, 2/13).

The L.A. TIMES reports that Oakley’s Q4 earnings “fell 85% as costs increased and sales were less than expected.” Earnings were hurt as the company “increased its offerings of clothing, goggles and shoes, which are less profitable than sunglasses” (L.A. TIMES, 2/13).

The PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE reports that “only two signs protesting” the trade that sent Alexei Kovalev to the Rangers were seen during last night’s Senators-Penguins game at Mellon Arena. One read, “Got lies?,” while the other stated, “Trade Craig,” in reference to Penguins GM Craig Patrick (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/13).

ATTENDANCE WATCH:

• While organizers of last night’s Colombia-Mexico int’l friendly soccer match had hoped for a crowd of 32,000, attendance for the 0-0 draw at Bank One Ballpark was 28,764 (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/13).

A LIGHTER BUZZ

Tiger Woods, on his EA Sports Tiger Woods 2003 PGA Tour video game: “I’m not good at that. I played with some kids in the neighborhood, and they just absolutely waxed me” (USA TODAY, 2/13).

Yankees SS Derek Jeter yesterday responded to Owner George Steinbrenner’s recent accusations that he was not focused on winning last year: “He's the boss and he's entitled to his opinion, right or wrong, but what he said has been turned into me being this big party animal. … It bothers me when people question my work ethic. That's when your talking about my integrity. I take a lot of pride in how hard I work” (AP, 2/13).

The ARIZONA DAILY STAR reports that D’Backs P Curt Schilling visited Coronado Middle School in Catalina, AZ, yesterday as part of a Reebok-sponsored contest and “spoke to the entire seventh-grade-class” in the school gymnasium where he “spent about 20 minutes answering questions.” Yankees P Roger Clemens and WUSA Spirit MF Julie Foudy have also made appearances as part of the Reebok-sponsored contest (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 2/13).

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

TODAY’S EVENTS

Virginians for Baseball will discuss details of their ’03 Campaign for Virginia Baseball during a 2:00pm ET video press conference to be Webcast at TVWorldwide.com (THE DAILY).

NTRA BOD members will discuss the proposed Thoroughbred Championship Tour as well as other strategies for future growth at an annual retreat in Palm Beach, FL, today and tomorrow (THOROUGHBRED TIMES, 2/11).

HBO Sports will host an invitation-only premiere screening of “Jim McKay: My World In My Words,” an hour-long documentary written and narrated by McKay himself. CBS Sports President Sean McManus and ABC Sports President Howard Katz are among the invitees to the N.Y. event (THE DAILY).

Bucs FB Mike Alstott, C Jeff Christy, QB Shaun King and TE Todd Yoder will be presented with keys to St. Petersburg from Mayor Rick Baker at a 3:15pm ET ceremony at City Hall (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 2/13).

NHL Panthers mascot Stanley C. Panther will deliver Valentine greetings to area fans. The “Valentine Visits” include a dozen roses, two vouchers for lower bowl tickets good for any home game in March, a Polaroid snapshot and a commemorative Valentine’s Day puck. The cost of the package is $250. In addition, Stanley will offer in-game visits for $50 during the team’s 7:30pm ET Valentine’s Day game against the Bruins (THE DAILY).

IN OTHER NEWS….

The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that AOL Time Warner execs are meeting in N.Y. today and tomorrow “to discuss the company’s corporate priorities, opportunities and challenges this year and beyond” (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 2/13).

News Corp. posted “strong second-quarter earnings driven by television station advertising sales and the mammoth success of the video release of the animated film 'Ice Age.'"  Meanwhile, in a conference call with analysts, News Corp. President & COO Peter Chernin declined to discuss the company's effort to sell the Dodgers, "long considered a strategic step in News Corp.'s bid to acquire DirecTV" (L.A. TIMES, 2/13).

Viacom "investors were fuming yesterday after learning that dueling bosses Sumner Redstone and Mel Karmazin still haven't reached a resolution on Karmazin's contract" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/13).

The N.Y. TIMES reports IDT filed suit against CNN in the Superior Court of NJ in Essex County, asserting that CNN “refused to accept an IDT commercial for fear of offending other telecommunications companies” (N.Y. TIMES, 2/13).

USA Network’s coverage of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show earned a two-night average Nielsen cable rating of 3.7/(3,200,000 HHs). Viewership peaked on Tuesday night, the show’s finale, earning a 4.2/(3,600,000 HHs) cable rating (THE DAILY).

In announcing its quarterly earnings yesterday, Coca-Cola acknowledged it is “turning its attention to an old standby,” Coke, in ’03. Coca-Cola President & COO Steve Heyer said Coke will be a “key focus,” along with a “new energy behind Sprite” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/13).

The DENVER POST reports that more than 700 black professionals are gathering in Vail, CO, over the next four days for the Black Enterprise/AXA Advisors Ski Challenge. Citibank, Hennessey, Jaguar, Xerox, Land Rover and Polo Ralph Lauren are among sponsors of the five-day event (DENVER POST, 2/13).

FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION

Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was “New England.”

“It's the only state in New England that doesn't border the Atlantic Ocean.”

LAUGH TRACK

THE MONOLOGUES:

CBS' David Letterman: “It’s been cold here in (N.Y.) since, well, Labor Day and we’re all really tired of it and today, just when you think maybe it will get a little warmer, no, it's colder. It was so cold today the hookers down in Times Square were handing out flannel condoms. ... This weekend down in Jamaica, there are 40 couples being married in a nude wedding. Everybody will be nude, and what young girl doesn't dream of being given away by her nude dad. ... (N.Y.) is on an Orange Alert and today, mom and I spent the entire day duct taping windows and stockpiling malt liquor. ... I'm feeling pretty good. My hairpiece finished third in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. I'm very proud. ... The best in show dog was – I've never heard of this dog – something called a Kerry blue terrier, and his name was Mick. That’s the grand champion, the best in show. But you know fame is fleeting. One day you’re the grand champion. The next day, you’re flying home in cargo” ("Late Show," CBS, 2/12).

NBC's Jay Leno: "This is the sweeps week. ... We got the finale of ‘The Bachelorette’ on ABC. That’s coming. You got the big finale of ‘Joe Millionaire’ on Fox. Of course, CNN is hoping it’s the big finale of Saddam Hussein. ... The Department of Homeland Security is now asking civilians to develop their own emergency plans for a terrorist attack. So basically what we’ve done here, we’ve created the Department of Homeland Security to tell us, ‘Hey, you’re screwed. You’re on your own. Good luck.’ ... The Federal government said today if you’re caught outside near the explosion of a radioactive bomb, do not panic. Lie down on the ground and cover your head, and if you can stay in this position for 14.2 million years, you’ll be fine. ... Luckily, France and Germany still say they are our allies. You know, the same way Bill and Hillary are man and wife" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 2/12).

LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

Last night's Top Ten list was "Top Ten Things I, Saddam Hussein, Want To Get Off MY Chest" ("Late Show," CBS, 2/12).

NBC’s Conan O’Brien: “Weird time right now. Everyone enjoying the Orange Alert? Now that the country is of course on ‘Orange Alert,’ federal officials are suggesting that Americans take basic precautions like maintaining a three-day stockpile of food. Which explains why this morning, Anna Nicole Smith bought an entire Costco. … Yesterday one of the semi-finalists on Fox’s ‘American Idol’ was eliminated after producers found out she had appeared on a porn Web site. Yeah, this officially makes her the first person in the world who is too sleazy to appear on the Fox network. … This week the Rolling Stones announced that for the first time ever, they will be taking their concert tour to China. At the press conference, Mick Jagger was overheard saying ‘I here there’s a wall there now.’ … A scientist in Australia has invented a bra that offers more support and prevents a woman’s breasts from bouncing up and down. After announcing his invention, the scientist was taken outside and beaten senseless by a large group of men. … Roman Polanski, who was nominated (Monday) in the category of best director, will not be able to come to the Oscars because he is still wanted in this country on charges of having sex with a 13 year-old girl. After hearing this, Michael Jackson said ‘A girl? That’s disgusting!’” (“Late Night,” NBC, 2/12).

Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart: “The Department of Homeland Security has released a report suggesting Americans gather an emergency supply kit to help insure their safety in the event of a terrorist attack. Among those items: canned food, flashlights, batteries, diapers, a manual can opener, plastic sheeting, duct tape and a spare set of car keys. All of which can be assembled to form your very own anti-terrorism robot. The Department also recommends a three-day supply of water, consisting of one bottle per day for each person in your home, plus one extra bottle to give you all something to kill each other over on day four” (“Daily Show,” Comedy Central, 2/12).

CBS’ Craig Kilborn: “Have you seen the new film about my lovemaking? It’s called ‘How to Lose a Woman in 10 Seconds.’ In response to terrorist threats, the White House has been surrounded by tanks, troops, snipers, anti-aircraft artillery. It is called ‘Code Hillary.’ … Scientists have invented a bra that prevents women’s breasts from bouncing. It’s the latest news from the Institute of Guys Who Ruin Everything. … Lawyers for Steven Seagal say he is the victim of an elaborate plot to steal money from him. Seagal added ‘What’s a plot?’” (“Late Late Show,” CBS, 2/12).

WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S TV MONITOR

ESPN’s 11:30pm ET “SportsCenter” led with Lakers-Nuggets.

FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER

“What is Vermont?”

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

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