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Wednesday 9:00am ET....Today's News....Web Gems

  • Broadcasters, 16W Marketing To Launch TXNSports.com This Month
  • LOCOG Signs Deals With Nikon, Rio Tinto For '12 London Olympics
  • TNT's Chris Webber Says On-Air That He Is Trying To Buy Kings
  • NBA Cancels Summer League, Internships As Lockout Nears

Broadcasters, 16W Marketing To Launch TXNSports.com On April 26

By John Ourand

A group of high-profile former athletes is launching a broadband website in two weeks called TXNSports.com. Network broadcasters Cris Collinsworth, Boomer Esiason, Nick Faldo, Howie Long, Cal Ripken Jr. and Phil Simms are launching the site April 26, with 16W Marketing. Frank Vuono, a partner with 16W, said the group is looking to add more talent, particularly with college football and basketball. Its first deal is a partnership with Big Lead Sports to produce a show for the NFL Draft. Big Lead Sports and TXNSports will jointly sell that programming, Vuono said.

Big Lead Sports CEO Chris Russo said his network of websites will benefit from the partnership. "Working around the draft was a great way to get access to this talent," Russo said. "We might explore other things going forward." Vuono said he is using the model for the old NFL Quarterback Club, when he was the head of licensing for the league.

LOCOG Signs Deals With Nikon, Rio Tinto For '12 London Olympics

LOCOG confirmed that Nikon UK has become a licensee of the '12 London Olympics. Nikon will produce a licensed range of sport optics, including binoculars, telescopes and laser rangefinders. LOCOG has appointed Nikon UK as sole supplier of sport optics for use by officials at a number of Olympic and Paralympic sports including Sailing, Archery, Shooting and Track & Field (LOCOG).

Meanwhile, the gold, silver and copper that "will be used in the 4,700 medals" at the '12 London Olympics will be provided by Rio Tinto. The int'l mining company signed a Tier Three sponsorship deal with LOCOG worth about $16M. Rio Tinto supplied the metal for the '02 Salt Lake City Games medals (AP, 4/13).

TNT's Chris Webber Says That He Is Trying To Buy Kings

On TNT's "Inside the NBA" following the Spurs-Lakers game last night, TNT's on-air personalities discussed the Kings leaving Sacramento and relocating to Anaheim. Chris Webber, who played seven seasons for the Kings, said, "I'm doing all I can to keep the team there. I may sound like a fool on national TV but I believe we can keep the team there. I'm working to do that."

When asked how he was working to keep the Kings in Sacramento, Webber said, "Many ways. We don't want to talk about it. But obviously, I have a group. ... It's probably a gone ship anyway. But even if that ship is leaving the shore, I've got an anchor and some people and we're throwing it, trying to hitch it to the back of the boat and keep pulling the team back." TNT's Charles Barkley said he would give Webber a "few million dollars." Webber added, "Go to the game tomorrow. Don't let them leave!" As the show was going to commercial break, Barkley said, "We can get some people together and buy that team" ("Inside the NBA," TNT, 4/13).

NBA Cancels Summer League, Internships As Lockout Nears

Sources indicated that the NBA has "scrubbed its annual Las Vegas summer league and has also scuttled its annual summer internship program." The moves are "two more signs" that the league is "gearing up for a lockout starting July 1." The summer league "normally starts around July 9, with upwards of 20 teams." In preparation for a lockout, the NBA also is "not sending any teams abroad for training camp, and did not schedule any preseason games in Europe for this fall" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/13). 

Turner Sports Unveils Postseason Coverage Plans For NBA TV

By John Lombardo

Turner Sports has announced its NBA postseason coverage plans on NBA TV, beginning with the unveiling of the NBA playoffs schedule during a special edition of “GameTime,” which will air on NBA TV after all regular-season games are concluded tonight. The show, hosted by Marc Fein, Greg Anthony and Jerry Stackhouse, will showcase playoff matchups and television coverage for each series. NBA TV will also air “Sounds of the Playoffs,” which will consist of three 30-minute shows airing at the end of each round of the playoffs.

NBA.com will be converted into “Playoffs Central” with a transformed home page highlighting each playoff series. The website also will include a “Stats Cube” feature to allow fans access to the NBA’s statistical database. The NBA Playoffs begin on Saturday.

LeBron James' No. 6 Heat Jersey Is Tops In Sales On NBAStore.com

The NBA regular season concludes today, and sales figures from NBAStore.com indicate Heat F LeBron James has passed Lakers G Kobe Bryant "to take over the No. 1 spot on the NBA's best-selling jersey list this season." This marks the "first time in seven years James has grabbed the top spot." Bryant's No. 24 jersey, now second to James' No. 6, has held the top spot "since the beginning of the 2008-2009 season." Rounding out the top five are the jerseys of Celtics G Rajon Rondo, Knicks F Amar'e Stoudemire and Bulls G Derrick Rose (USATODAY.com, 4/13).

Bears To Play In HOF Game, Reportedly In London Game As Well

The NFL yesterday unveiled its preseason schedule, which begins with Rams-Bears in the Pro Football HOF Game Aug. 7 at Fawcett Stadium. The Bears also reportedly will play the Buccaneers in the annual game in London. The Bears "last played in Europe when they had a 1997 exhibition with the Steelers in Dublin." The U.K. game this year will mark the "second time in three seasons the Bucs have had a home game in London" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/13). 

Speed Reads....

Puma today announced that it has selected The NMA Group as its global agency of record for entertainment marketing. The NMA Group will lead all entertainment initiatives within film, TV, music, talent and entertainment PR for the footwear and apparel brand (Puma).

Former boxer Sugar Ray Lenoard last night was voted off ABC's "Dancing With The Stars," the third contestant voted off this season ("Dancing With The Stars," ABC, 4/12).

Work to remove S Bob Sanders' picture from the exterior of Lucas Oil Stadium "was scheduled to begin today." The 35-by-60-foot banner is being removed after Sanders signed a free agent contract with the Chargers (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 4/13). 

A crowd of 13,865 attended last night's Marlins-Braves game at Turner Field, "the smallest crowd in the ballpark's 14-season history" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 4/13).

Quick Hits....

"I think it's inevitable in the sense that we won't have a deal done by July 1, but I think it's optimistic to think that we can get a deal done by Oct. 27, when it really counts" -- Wizards G and NBPA Exec Commitee VP Maurice Evans, on reaching a new CBA by the start of next season (WASHINGTON POST, 4/13).

"You can't continue to just throw the money away, year after year, with no light at the end of the tunnel. We're working so hard to get the business model correct for the teams" -- WPS Atlanta Beat Owner Fitz Johnson, on the league, which opened its season last weekend, looking to turn a profit this year (USA TODAY, 4/13).

"The internationals now hold the power in golf. For how long, we don't know" -- South Africa's Sunshine Tour Commissioner Gareth Tindall, on a number of int'l players being at the top of golf's world rankings (AP, 4/12).

Twitter Me This....

Daily Variety’s Brian Lowry: “Norm Macdonald's ‘Sports Show’ packs an 8-min. program into a half-hour format. Hooking ... foul.”

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette: “No wonder NFL can't agree with its players.. Can't even agree on whether there are dates for PS games.”

Boston Globe’s Greg Bedard: “Patriots preseason schedule: TBA, TBA, at Lions, vs. Giants. … Great. I get to go to Detroit. Again.”

ESPN’s Colin Cowherd: “After watching Tom Brady special, occurs to me if NFL season is axed, Im giving ESPN my 2 week notice. Becoming pharmacist. Love this game.”

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.

Today's Events....

Flyers RW Ian Laperriere and former players Bernie Parent, Bob Kelly, Joe Watson and Derian Hatcher will visit the NASDAQ MarketSite in N.Y. to ring the opening bell.

Rule 1.02 Marketing Founder Eric Bechtel will participate in Business Day at Colorado State Univ. Bechtel will take part in a session titled, "Athlete Marketing: Why the benefits far outweigh the risks."

ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" is broadcasting live from 5:00-9:00am CT from the basketball court in American Airlines Center. The event marks the 10th year anniversary of ESPN Radio Dallas 103.3.

The two-day Racing Attorney Conference will begin Indianapolis. The conference is presented by the Indianapolis Bar Association Sports & Entertainment Law Section and the North Carolina Bar Association.

In Other News....

The “going rate” for a 30-second spot on the final episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” is $1M, and if the “price holds, it will mark the fourth highest unit cost for a series finale in TV history.” The last episodes of “Friends,” “Seinfeld” and “Everybody Loves Raymond” are the only shows to reach the $1M mark. The final syndicated “Oprah” episode is scheduled to air May 25 (ADWEEK.com, 4/12).

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
Newsday
Philadelphia Daily News
Boston Herald

Final Jeopardy!

Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "Baseball and the Presidency."

"As both vice-president and president, he threw out a season's first pitch, each time for a different Senators franchise."

Laugh Track....

CBS' David Letterman: "Archaeologists believe that they have found the first gay caveman. Did you know this? He was in the second row of a Bette Midler concert. And it's fascinating: The first gay caveman did not discover fire, but scented candles. … The Republicans now are proposing $6 trillion in budget cuts. Think about that: $6 trillion. Do you have any idea how much money that is? No one does. And we've all borrowed it from China. We're spending China's money. … I love Donald Trump. You excited about Donald Trump? I mean it's springtime and I think that thing on his head is in heat. … Now the White House, Donald Trump is getting under their skin a little bit. The White House is getting edgy and the White House is saying Donald Trump has zero percent chance of being president of the United States. Zero percent chance. That seems a little high. … Insiders are saying that Donald Trump is running for President as a publicity stunt. Hey! Whoa! Hold it! Hey! Hey! Hold it right there. That's not the Donald Trump I know! …You know what, ladies and gentlemen? Today is my birthday! I called my mother this morning and I said, 'Hi Mom. It's Dave.' And I said, 'Mom, do you know what happened 64 years ago today?' and she took a little pause and then she said, 'The Berlin Airlift?' … Lindsay Lohan was very sweet about it. She heard it was my birthday and went out and stole a tie" ("Late Show," CBS, 4/12).

NBC's Jay Leno: "A 15-month-old baby is recovering after the Applebee's in Madison Heights, Michigan, served a margarita in a sippy cup. Actually, the first indication the kid might be drunk was that he was enjoying his meal at Applebee's. … The baby is fine. Turns out the baby had a blood alcohol level of 0.10. You know what you call someone that short and drunk? Snooki. … Gosh, have you flown lately? It's amazing how bad flying is now. You get molested by the screener. You get seated next to a screaming baby. Your plane is being flown by a drunken pilot. The air traffic controller is asleep. If you make it through all of that: Boom. You get a fender bender with an air bus. I mean it's like a nightmare. … New Zealand Airlines is now offering what they call Cuddle Class. Don't all airlines have cuddle class? It's called coach. You're cramped in there. You're forced to cuddle with the guy next to you in the seat. … The price of gasoline here in California is now very close to $5 a gallon. Oh, it's unbelievable. It is so expensive, coming into work today I passed a van packed with legal Americans. … In an exclusive interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Donald Trump said, 'I believe in God.' Of course, Donald thought he was talking about himself, I think that's what it was. He was looking in the mirror at the time. … Everybody's favorite star, Betty White, has criticized Lindsay Lohan for her behavior. But you know I think we ought to cut Lindsay a little slack. I mean, very early on she fell in with the wrong crowd: Her family" ("The Tonight Show," NBC, 4/12).
 
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

Last night Comedy Central debuted "Sports Show with Norm MacDonald," which takes a humorous look at sports and the stories making headlines. The following is a sampling of host Norm MacDonald's opening segment: "In a surprise move last week the defense rested in the Barry Bonds steroid case without calling a single witness. Barry Bonds did not even present a defense. Man, that guy has big balls, doesn't he? Wait, maybe that was his defense! ... A heart-stopping charge in the back nine at Augusta National on Sunday propelled unknown golfer Charl Schwartzel to win the Masters. After the win, Charl Schwartzel said, 'Charl Schwartzel? Who the hell is Charl Schwartzel!?' ... Earlier in the week, golf legend Tom Watson took a quick break during a packed practice round at Augusta and was spotted peeing in the bushes. 'Thanks for waking me up,' said a urine-soaked John Daly. It was announced this week that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger plans to marry his girlfriend Ashley Harlan in July. She said those three little words: 'Don't kill me.' ... Mixed Martial Arts continues to be one of the fastest growing sports in the world. This year, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting have merged and plan to form a new sport called murder." MacDonald later in the show went "undercover as an NBA player" with the assistance of a make-up artist "to see what it would be like to be a professional athlete," and he looked like Clippers F Blake Griffin. The segment featured the real Griffin with MacDonald's voice, as Griffin couldn't play at all during a practice session and even before practice began was out of breath, saying, "I got to quit smoking." MacDonald finished the show with a 90-second segment called "Garbage Time" where he talked about various sports stories, including, "NBA and NFL lockouts: Are you ready for some cricket?! 'Monday Night Cricket!'" ("Sports Show with Norm MacDonald," Comedy Central, 4/12).

Actor and director Morgan Spurlock appeared on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night to promote his latest movie, "The Greatest Movie Ever Sold," which examines product placement. Host Jimmy Kimmel said the movie "is brought to you by Hyatt, Pom Wonderful, JetBlue, Mini Cooper, Mane n' Tail Shampoo, the island of Aruba and Amy's Frozen Pizza." Spurlock appeared wearing a suit jacket covered in logos from the various companies sponsoring the movie, which prompted Kimmel to say, "You look like you just won a NASCAR event." Spurlock: "I did. It was the Pom Wonderful 500." Kimmel asked, "Is this part of the deal, the suit? You said, 'I'll put you on the suit when I go out promoting?'" Spurlock: "I said, 'When we go out, NASCAR does such a great job of showing brand support, 'The Greatest Movie Ever Sold' has to have a suit,' so now here it is." Spurlock: "The entire film is all about product placement marketing and advertising and the whole film is actually paid for by product placement and advertising. ... I think this is the first time ever that a movie has actually opened in theaters and already been in profit." Kimmel: "That is brilliant" ("Jimmy Kimmel Live," ABC, 4/12).

Last night's Top Ten list was "Top Ten Reasons I'm Presenting Tonight's Top Ten List" and was presented on-stage by actress Katie Holmes ("Late Show," CBS, 4/12).

10) "Lost a bet with Tom."
9) "They told me this was 'Lopez Tonight.'"
8) "When I heard Bjorn Lomborg was going to be here, how could I say no?"
7) "This, and an hour of traffic school, gets me out of a speeding ticket."
6) "I'm here tonight anyway, playing bass with the Foo Fighters."
5) "I was in the neighborhood, auditioning for Katie Couric's job."
4) "It kills time before my table is ready at The Cheesecake Factory."
3) "Honestly, I have no idea."
2) "It's easier than getting Dave a birthday present."
1) "What's the down side? No one's going to see this."

Final Jeopardy....

"Who was Richard Nixon?"