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Several Champions Tour players are planning to file a lawsuit against the PGA Tour seeking to “overturn the tour’s refusal to allow the use of carts in tournament rounds,” according to GOLFWEEK’s Jeff Babineau. The suit will likely “cite age discrimination among its grounds.” Champions Tour golfer Tom Purtzer, who said that “roughly ‘10 to 12 players’ are hindered” by the cart policy, and other players have consulted with attorney Leonard Decof, who repped Ping in the square grooves lawsuit against the PGA Tour. Purtzer: “He wants to sue the tour for a bunch of money, and we don’t want to do that. All we want is the ability to be able to use a cart.” Purtzer added that the carts are “basically a ‘pet peeve’” of Champions Tour President Rick George and PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem. Purtzer: “They’ve had carts for 25 years, and all of a sudden it’s a problem. I just don’t understand it. It’s an issue that’s really divided the tour.” George: “It has to do with image. It has to do with the fan. We think it’s better for the fans and the viewers and provides a better look to our broadcasts, and it’s better for the condition of the golf course” (GOLFWEEK, 1/29 issue). GOLFWORLD’s Ron Sirak notes because the PGA Tour in May ’01 lost Casey Martin’s lawsuit seeking use of a cart for medical reasons, Champions Tour players can use carts if they qualify under the Americans With Disabilities Act (GOLFWORLD, 1/28 issue). CART ATTACK: A GOLFWEEK editorial states the “use of carts in serious competition contradicts the argument that golf is an athletic endeavor. ... Under [George], the over-50 circuit has actively sought to portray itself not as an exhibition of golden oldies, but an arena for serious competition among mature golfers” (GOLFWEEK, 1/29 issue).  Escrito por fraja8 às 12h54[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] League Notes
The Citgo Bassmaster Tour beginning with the ’06 season will expand from six to 11 events and move the Bassmaster Classic from the summer to late February or early March. Purse money for the event will increase from $700,000 to $1M, including a first-place prize of $500,000. The first-place winner at each of the three major tournaments will receive $250,000 (ESPN). HAND OVER FIST: While the USTA was reported to have made an estimated $12M in ’04, that total increases to $26M when investment income is included. The USTA made nearly $27M in ’03, including investment income (TENNISWEEK.com, 1/26). ROLLING SIX: BLOODHORSE’s Tom Precious reported NYRA on January 31 will turn off its signal to an additional six simulcast outlets, claiming it has “no assurances from the companies about their ownership and customer base.” NYRA President & CEO Charles Hayward said the organization’s new policy is, “Unless we know who you are, and that your business practices are legal and in the best interests of the sport of horseracing, we are not going to do business with you.” The sites include four overseas outlets, as well as Lakes Region Greyhound Park in New Hampshire and Coeur d’Alene Casino in Idaho. The decision comes amid a federal race fixing probe (BLOODHORSE.com, 1/26). Were NFL Budget Cuts Behind Jim Steeg’s Departure?
The NFL has “cut and slash[ed] its Super Bowl budget, which was one of the many reasons” why former Senior VP/Special Events Jim Steeg resigned last summer, according to the FLORIDA TIMES-UNION. NFL COO Roger Goodell is “primarily responsible” for the cutbacks. A source said that the “penny-pinching has gotten so bad that the league is considering not handing out complimentary Super Bowl pins to the media” in Jacksonville (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 1/27). CAP COACHES? SI/HBO’s Peter King noted the salaries of NFL coordinators and assistants are “exploding, just like free agency did for players in 1993. There are 19 assistant coaches in the NFL right now making more than $1[M], and even the [number of] guys who are near $1[M] is stunning.” HBO’s Cris Collinsworth: “No salary cap as of today, though, for those coaches and assistant coaches.” King: “But you think there might be one?” Collinsworth: “Every time money starts getting out of control, you know what the NFL does” (“Inside the NFL,” HBO, 1/26). Escrito por fraja8 às 12h54[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ]
Miami's Dwyane Wade drives along the baseline.
Tracy McGrady skies over Tony Battie for a lay in. Escrito por fraja8 às 12h53[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Sale Of A’s To Wolff Nearly Complete, Awaiting MLB Approval
MLB has approved legal documents for the sale of the A’s from co-Owners Steve Schott and Ken Hofmann to VP/Venue Development Lewis Wolff, which “leaves only two main hurdles” — approval by 75% of MLB owners and having the Network Associates Coliseum lease transferred to Wolff — according to Kroichick & Shea of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The team is expected to sell for at least $150M. While MLB owners are not scheduled to meet again until May, they “might formally consider the A’s sale before then.” Schott: “I would think it could get done before Opening Day and maybe even before spring training gets into full swing.” An MLB spokesperson said that owners could vote via conference call, but there is “no apparent urgency.” The spokesperson: “It’s more in our hands to go through all the documents, do all the background checks, everything related to the final closing” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/27). Schott, on formally completing the sale: “It’s down the road a way, but we’re still not there yet” (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 1/27).
McCombs Issues Statement Denying All Reports Of Vikings Sale
Following multiple reports this week around the potential sale of the Vikings to Arizona entrepreneur Reggie Fowler, Vikings Owner Red McCombs yesterday released a statement saying, “None of the media reports concerning the potential sale of the Vikings are correct. I am continuing to work with our staff on preparing the Vikings for the 2005 season” (Vikings). But in Minneapolis, Kevin Seifert writes T’Wolves Owner Glen Taylor last night “issued his own declaration that in essence confirmed most of what has been reported this week.” Taylor: “It’s been reported that Reggie is working with him and I’m holding back. That’s what I’m doing.” Taylor also acknowledged that he met with McCombs in San Antonio last weekend, but the two “could not agree on a sale price” (STAR TRIBUNE, 1/27). More Taylor: “I have a group, we’re still interested. But we’re just going to wait. ... It isn’t that I need to have another team. If another group can put it together, I’m pleased to help them” (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 1/27). Meanwhile, a source of ESPN’s Chris Mortensen said Fowler is “not even a factor. The feeling is, he’s trying to intimidate Glen Taylor, but Taylor doesn’t need to be intimidated – he’s done very little to make this happen” (ESPN.com, 1/26). Escrito por fraja8 às 12h52[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] adidas Posts Gain In Profit For FY ’04 Despite 30% Q4 Drop
adidas’ Q4 profit “fell 30[%], the first decline in more than a year,” as the company “stepped up U.S. and Asian investments to increase growth,” according to Gregory Ruben of BLOOMBERG NEWS. Q4 net income dropped 19% to $25M, compared to $35.2M in the year-ago window. Revenue for the quarter climbed 5.9% to $1.87B. Full-year profit grew 21% to $409.6M, while revenue increased 3% to $8.45B (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 1/27). REUTERS’ Ulf Laessing noted adidas had forecast a 20% jump in net profit on a currency-neutral sales growth of 5% in ’04. Shares of adidas have gained 23% in the past 12 months, “making it one of the top” performers on Germany’s DAX index . At presstime, shares of adidas were trading at US$149.84, down 2.2% from yesterday’s close of US$151.02 (THE DAILY). Escrito por fraja8 às 12h51[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] All That Glitters Is Gold: CONCACAF Selects Host Stadiums
CONCACAF has unveiled the stadium lineup for the ’05 Gold Cup. The event takes place July 6-24, with the championship held July 24 at Giants Stadium. Following is a complete list of venues (CONCACAF):
THEY HAVE LIFT-OFF: In Houston, Glenn Davis writes the city’s selection “caps a remarkable 20 months of international soccer for Houston and Reliant Stadium,” which hosted several games involving national teams from the U.S. and Mexico as well as top pro clubs during that period (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/27). In Boston, Frank Dell’Apa notes that the event has “ Escrito por fraja8 às 12h51[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Giants And State Remain Miles Apart On Land Lease Agreement
Plans for a new $700M Giants stadium has stalled with the team and New Jersey officials “deadlocked on several issues, including how much the team should pay in rent,” according to Matthew Futterman of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. The state delivered its first proposal in over a month, asking the Giants to pay over $6M per year to lease the land on which the stadium would be built. The team’s last formal offer was $1 annually. The state also indicated for the first time that it would give the Giants control of the management and operations of the stadium. Meanwhile, the Giants “remain concerned that increased traffic” from the planned $1.3B Xanadu retail and entertainment complex will worsen congestion on football Sundays, and therefore have not given their approval of the project. The NJSEA is counting on revenue from Xanadu to “pay off a substantial amount of debt on the existing stadium.” Giants Exec VP & COO John Mara: “I’m not sure we’re making progress. If anything we might be going backwards. I’m not sure where we go from here” .In New Jersey, John Brennan cites two sources as saying that Giants execs “also were angered by an attempt by [NJSEA Chair] Carl Goldberg to determine for the Giants where the team should build” the stadium within the Meadowlands Sports Complex (Bergen RECORD, 1/27).
Cubs Receive Blessing Of Alderman For Bleacher Expansion
The Cubs’ revised plan to build 1,790 new bleacher seats at Wrigley Field – “without the sidewalk support columns area residents consider unsafe – won the pivotal endorsement” of Alderman Tom Tunney “after the team threw in a few more neighborhood sweeteners,” according to Fran Spielman of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. The Cubs agreed to create a 7,000-10,000-square-foot neighborhood park and pay for a “new trolley service that would pick up fans at Michigan Avenue hotels and take them to Wrigley.” Tunney said that the team also “pledged to create a second remote parking lot if the need arises.” Spielman reports Tunney in return will “sign on to the bleacher expansion” and the team’s plan “to develop city-owned land next to the stadium into a parking garage, restaurant and Cubs hall of fame. All that remains is for City Hall and the Cubs to negotiate a final purchase price.” Tunney added that the cost of the neighborhood park “would be in addition to the $3.3[M] price tag – or whatever amount the two sides ultimately agree upon – for land.” Tunney: “I think we’ve come to a compromise that preserves the integrity of the view and the historic nature of the stadium”
Legislature Wants To Stop Huizenga From Receiving Tax Breaks
Florida state Senate President Tom Lee suggested that he would “like to stop Wayne Huizenga from receiving millions in tax breaks for refurbishing” Dolphins Stadium for the Marlins because the team is leaving the ballpark and “is seeking a $60[M] subsidy identical to what” Huizenga receives, according to Caputo & Klas of the MIAMI HERALD. Lee: “I really want to look into how that was done, in what context it was done and what promises were made. But there are allegations developing that (getting a new subsidy) would essentially represent a double-dip by the Marlins.” Huizenga through a spokesperson said that he will “fight in court if the Legislature tries to take” away his subsidy. Lee: “We’ve received phone calls from the Devil Rays and everybody who would like to get on that bandwagon if they could. And the well here in Florida is only so deep” (MIAMI HERALD, 1/27). Lee told Marlins President David Samson that he would make an “honest effort” to help the team stay in Florida, but added, “We’re not going to pay twice.” Lee: “We don’t need the liability of people standing up and saying, ‘We already paid once, how are we going to recover that money?’” (Sarah Talalay, SUN-SENTINEL, 1/27). MONEYBALL: With the Marlins signing 1B Carlos Delgado to a four-year, $52M deal — the largest contract in team history –- state Sen. Alex Villalobos said, “Anytime you throw around that kind of money, it raises a question of why they don’t pay for the stadium themselves.” In Miami, Barry Jackson notes the Marlins claim to have lost over $20M with a $52M payroll in ’04. In September, Samson said that Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria’s appetite for “continuing to lose that amount of cash is dwindling.” But Jackson writes that since November, the Marlins “have added more than $90[M] in salary commitments for this season and beyond, in addition to agreeing to guarantee the last three years and $25.5[M] of [3B] Mike Lowell’s contract” (MIAMI HERALD, 1/27). BOX OFFICE DRAW: MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reported that after announcing the signing of Delgado on Tuesday, the Marlins yesterday “sold about $150,000 in various season-ticket packages, which is five times the amount for a normal day” (MLB.com, 1/26). Escrito por fraja8 às 12h51[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Around The Rim: Sports Summit Program Announced
The full program for the June 7-12 Pacific Rim Sports Summit “offers up a mix of sport not often seen,” according to Ron Judd of the SEATTLE TIMES. The Summit will feature 900 athletes from the U.S., China, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Russia competing in nine sports at venues in and around Seattle. Competitions include archery, basketball, track cycling, diving, gymnastics, softball, synchronized swimming, track & field and indoor volleyball. USOC CEO Jim Scherr: “It’s an opportunity for us to allow the Olympic movement to be exposed to a wider audience between the Olympic Games.” Judd reports the nearly 450,000 tickets available will cost $12-95, the latter “for a choice seat at the opening ceremony.” Seattle Organizing Committee CEO Bob Walsh said that the budget for the event “is around $10[M], and most of the financing has been secured.” Judd notes because the Summit is “an international event, organizers expect federal help with security. Details of a planned television package with NBC have not been announced” (SEATTLE TIMES, 1/27). CHANGE OF VENUE: In Seattle, Angelo Bruscas reports the June 7 Opening Ceremony will be held at Safeco Field because Husky Stadium was already booked for Univ. of Washington graduation ceremonies (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 1/27). Escrito por fraja8 às 12h50[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Jump ? Dunk ?  Escrito por fraja8 às 12h49[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] THE DAILY Goes One-On-One With Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie
In ‘94, Boston-born and -bred JEFFREY LURIE bought the Eagles from NORMAN BRAMAN for $185M. At the time, Lurie pledged to build a new stadium and state-of-the-art training facility. Since then, the Eagles have been to the NFL playoffs seven times, including their current streak of four NFC Championship game appearances. In ‘03, Lurie presided over the opening of Lincoln Financial Field and the NovaCare Complex. In its annual study, Forbes magazine said the value of the Eagles rose more than 30% (to $833M) after one season in Lincoln Financial Field. On the eve of the NFC championship game, Lurie spoke with SportsBusiness Journal New York bureau chief Jerry Kavanagh about life and business in the NFL. Q: You said, “Football is such a fan sport, and it’s a great sport for TV, but what really makes it such a great sport are the fans. When you forget about the fans, you lose a big part of the sport.” As far as attracting the fans, JERRY COLANGELO said, “The days of just opening the doors and selling tickets are over.” What’s the Eagles’ best new fan initiative? Lurie: To me, the whole design of Lincoln Financial Field is to create an intimate, close-to-the-action sort of impact view, the best sight lines in the league. Make sure the fans are as close and right on top of the action as possible and, at the same time, give them the best video replay boards in sports. With Lincoln Financial Field, we didn’t create an 80,000-90,000-seat stadium. We’re the fourth-largest market, and we could have done that. But we decided to keep it architecturally intimate - which we felt was 70,000 or under — and at the same time to bring down the huge new state-of-the-art digital video boards, to what actually is a very expensive point of real estate but it’s the best viewing angle for the fans, which is low in the end zones. Q: Is it true Fenway Park was part of the design model to create a sense of intimacy in Lincoln Financial Field? Lurie: The philosophy of Fenway Park, where I grew up, was clearly an important part of the design process. It wasn’t to copy Fenway; it was to take the intimacy and the intensity. What you learn from that fan experience is that if you give the fans great sight lines and closeness to the field, you’re going to have one heck of a stadium. Also, unpredictable lines, not linear, like our old stadium, the Vet, and some other new stadiums. Q: You went from the movies (Chestnut Hill Productions, his film company) to the NFL. What are some ways to bring mainstream entertainment to sports? Lurie: A realization that sports is a very visual experience. It’s an emotional experience combined with video and audio. In the stadium you’re combining all those elements. If you can maximize emotion, visual and audio experience and camaraderie, then you’re doing what the entertainment industry does with its blockbuster films or its great TV series. Q: Looking ahead, what do you think a fan’s NFL experience will be like, say, five years from now? Lurie: That’s always difficult to do, but I think with digital technology the opportunity to have fans interact with each other electronically before, during and after a game certainly will be revved up. You’re going to see people in the stadium but also watching games on cell phones, on portable integrated machines that are accessed to the Internet. You’re going to see a lot of distribution channels than have never been presented to the consumer before. [For example,] a person in Malaysia can walk down the streets of Kuala Lumpur and probably see exactly what the person sitting in Time Warner Center in New York is seeing. There is a chance to expose NFL football to people all over the world. Q: When you bought the Eagles in ‘94, you said your goal was to make the team a first-class franchise. You said, “Part of that is connecting the fans ... part of it is building a first-class stadium and practice facility.” Would you say mission accomplished on your goals?
Lurie: Our No. 1 mission is to win Super Bowls. In terms of the infrastructure or what we can do as a sports franchise: yes. Having a state-of-the-art stadium and practice facility, no question we’ve achieved those goals and they’re a big part of our success. But I never want to lose sight of the goal we share with all of our fans, which is to win championships. Q: Regarding the construction and financing of Lincoln Financial Field, you said, “Nothing could have been harder than the political process. We had to convince a lot of people that this kind of improvement would attract capital to the city.” How successful has the stadium been in attracting capital to Philadelphia? Lurie: It’s always a difficult thing to measure, but the excitement level and the demand for people to utilize Lincoln Financial Field, whether as Eagles fans or for other events, is really off the charts. One can only assume that the more people who enjoy and are proud of this new venue can also enjoy all that Philadelphia, as a thriving city, has created, ... which are lots of restaurants and hotels and clubs and shops. Escrito por fraja8 às 12h48[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Q: SAL GALATIOTO of Lehman Bros. called NFL franchises the Rolls-Royces of pro sports franchises. What can other pro sports franchises learn from the NFL? Lurie: There are two things the NFL has managed to accomplish that are really outstanding. One, the game itself is presented in a fashion that is very attractive to not just being in the stadium, but also to television viewers. That creates a nationally popular sport involving franchises that all have a pretty equal opportunity to win. That’s No. 1. Going hand-in-hand with that popularity, though, is a partnership with the players that grants them free agency after a certain amount of time and the opportunity for players and franchises to grow the sport together. There’s a true partnership. The more we grow the sport, the more the popularity is grown, then you’re not haggling over a system; you’re just haggling over what shares of that pot should be established. The NFL has a system of a partnership with its players that works for all sides and it goes hand-in-hand with the popularity of the sport. Q: You have a Ph.D. from Brandeis in social policy and established Eagles Youth Partnership in ‘96. Tell me about that.
Lurie: It’s really a charitable foundation of the Philadelphia Eagles that we’re very, very proud of. It’s a high priority for our organization. What we do is we have formed an eye mobile and a bookmobile. That’s one of the programs we have. It travels throughout the poorest areas of greater Philadelphia and examines children to see if they need glasses. We provide the glasses or we refer them for surgery or whatever is necessary. Because we found that with children, if you can’t read, you’re going to really be behind in school. If you don’t have access to books, even if you have good eyes, you’re going to fall behind. Q: JEAN GIRAUDOUX wrote, “The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you’ve got it made.” What’s the secret to your success? Lurie: I would say that it’s surrounding myself with good people and being myself at all times - no faking of sincerity whatsoever. I think that it’s important to be able to attract excellent people. Q: What is your basic business philosophy? Lurie: Try to be the best in every aspect of your business. Hire great people, guide them, but let them do their jobs. Q: What is the best decision you’ve made? Lurie: Buying the Eagles. [At the time,] I paid the most, I think, in the history of American sports, $185[M], and the rest is history. Q: What was your biggest challenge? Lurie: The biggest challenge is not a business challenge; it’s a personal challenge. When you are so emotionally tied up in your work — which I so enjoy, running the franchise, owning the team — [the challenge] is to combine your family desires with your business desires. I have little kids and want to maximize my time with them as well. So, it’s a constant opportunity and challenge to maximize both. Q: Who was the most influential person in your professional career? Lurie: RED AUERBACH. A lot of the philosophy of running the Eagles was influenced by growing up in Boston and watching Red’s decision-making and understanding of the functional value when he was building a team. Q: Do you light up a big cigar after an Eagles’ victory? Lurie: (laughing) I’m not a cigar smoker, so I didn’t learn that from Red. Q: What is your favorite piece of music? Lurie: “For What It’s Worth,” by Buffalo Springfield. My favorite group is The Doors. Q: What are your favorite movies? Lurie: “The Great Escape,” “Z” and “Sunshine.” My kids asked me my favorite recent movie, and I told them “School of Rock.” Q: Who are your favorite actors? Lurie: ROBERT DE NIRO and AL PACINO. Q: Who are your favorite actresses? Lurie: Too many to name.
Q: What are the last books you read? Lurie: “Eleven Minutes” by PAULO COELHO and “Hegemony or Survival” by NOAM CHOMSKY. Q: What are your favorite books? Lurie: “The Mass Psychology of Fascism” by WILHELM REICH and “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” by THOMAS KUHN. Q: What are your favorite vacation spots? Lurie: Anguilla and St. Barths. Q: What athlete do you most enjoy watching? Lurie: BOBBY ORR. I think he almost played a perfect game every time out. Q: What is your favorite sporting event? Lurie: The Super Bowl. Q: What is a typical day off like? Lurie: Playing with my kids, tennis, movies, golf and my iPod. Q: What is your favorite TV show? Lurie: “24.” Escrito por fraja8 às 12h48[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ]
Escrito por fraja8 às 12h48[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Names In The News
In S.F., Williams & Fainaru-Wada cite sources as saying that FBI agents yesterday raided the home of BALCO Founder VICTOR CONTE as part of a federal probe into how the S.F. Chronicle “had obtained federal grand jury testimony for stories about” the scandal (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/27)....In a separate piece, Fainaru-Wada & Williams note former Raiders LB BILL ROMANOWSKI has been sued for $3.8M by former teammate MARCUS WILLIAMS. Attorneys for Williams, who suffered a “career-ending brain injury” in an altercation with Romanowski in August ’03, have “pressed Romanowski, the Raiders and the [NFL] for information about” Romanowski’s possible use of steroids. Williams’ lawsuit and a possible trial next month “could provide new insights into the content and scope of steroid abuse in the NFL” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/27). RUNNING A REVERSE: In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley reports syndicated radio host RUSH LIMBAUGH has “changed his opinion” of Eagles QB DONOVAN MCNABB’s “ability as a quarterback and a field general.” Limbaugh said on the air, “There’s been a demonstrable change in McNabb’s performance, pure and simple. ... There’s no question McNabb has improved and I’m happy to see it” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/27). HOME COOKING: In Ft. Lauderdale, Harvey Fialkov reports Heat C SHAQUILLE O’NEAL has “set his sights on” former LSU football coach NICK SABAN’s house in Baton Rouge. The asking price for the four-bedroom house, with a swimming pool and guest home, is $3.25M. O’Neal: “I’ve seen it a million times, and I’m going to get it. And I’m gonna get it for the same price he paid for it.” Fialkov notes Saban paid $1.72M for the house in July ’01. O’Neal also owns a $6.25M residence in Orlando and recently paid about $18M for the Star Island, Florida, mansion once owned by former Heat C RONY SEIKALY (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 1/27). AFTER THE GAME: Former NFL head coach CHUCK KNOX has donated $1M to his alma mater, JUNIATA COLLEGE, to fund a professorship in the history department. Knox earned a B.A. in history from the school in ’54 (Juniata College)....HBO’s “Real Sports” Tuesday examined the emotional and physical difficulties many NFL players encounter after retiring from the league. HBO’s Bryant Gumbel said former NFLer KEN RUETTGERS “has started GamesOver.org, a Web site that catalogues why ex-players have so much trouble in retirement and tries to educate them about the risks.” Gumbel said, “The NFL is helping to bankroll his operation and has initiated programs of its own” (“Real Sports,” HBO, 1/25)....Former Redskins WR MICHAEL WESTBROOK will fight former Giants RB JARROD BUNCH next month in a PPV competition called “KING OF THE CAGE” (SI, 1/31 issue). Escrito por fraja8 às 12h46[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] NBA Coaches Salaries: Kings' Rick Adelman Leads The Pack
The following chart presents NBA coaches salaries for the ’04-05 season (GASTON GAZETTE, 1/24).
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NOTES: (a) Current contract is two-year extension for $13.75M signed before the ’03-04 season. (b) Current contract is two-year extension for $11M signed before the ’03-04 season. (c) Includes contract with team for consultant’s role through 2010-11. (d) In November ’04, Fratello replaced Hubie Brown, who retired with a three-year, $10M contract that would have ended in ’04-05. (e) Team has option for ’07-08 season. (f) Has two-year extension for $11M beginning ’06-07 season. (g) Resigned in January ’05, with Herb Williams taking over as interim coach. (h) Originally signed four-year, $6M deal before ’01-02 season, then signed two-year, $3M extension during ’03-04 season. (i) Fired in December ’04, with Michael Cooper taking over as interim coach. The Nuggets named George Karl head coach on January 27. Escrito por fraja8 às 12h44[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] The SI.com Book Club selection for January focuses on Michael Jordan's years with the Washington Wizards. When Nothing Else Matters, by Michael Leahy, takes a warts-and-all look at the legend and the end of his playing career. The Michael Jordan one will find in Michael Leahy's When Nothing Else Matters is not the basketball god represented in bronze outside Chicago's United Center. That Jordan stands 11½ feet and weighs 2,000 pounds, and even those proportions hardly seem to capture the aura and magnetism MJ exhibited at his high-flying, championship-winning best with the Bulls. The Jordan in Leahy's book, which follows the player's final two seasons with the Wizards, is no giant. Instead he's a deeply flawed man, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the diminishment of his once ethereal physical gifts while continuing to demand the superstar treatment he had always been afforded. Even so, on the doorstep of 40, there are still magical nights when the jump shot is falling over younger, faster men and the points pile up as they once did, the cash register ringing crazily all the while. But as Jordan's game diminished, Leahy argues, so did Jordan the icon. It turned out he was just a basketball player -- perhaps the best ever, sure, but a mere jock just the same. Off the court, Jordan didn't engage the public on important issues of the day as Muhammad Ali had done; he hawked sneakers and was too worried about upsetting potential customers to wade into controversy. Remember his famous explanation for not publicly supporting a black senatorial candidate in his native North Carolina, Harvey Gantt, who once ran against conservative Republican Jesse Helms? "Republicans buy shoes, too," Jordan noted. The public and a worshipful sports media made Jordan into much more than an athlete, Leahy contends, but that turned out to be a ruse which said as much about our psychic need for heroes as Jordan's actual gifts. When Jordan's career ended in 2003, Wizards owner Abe Pollin shipped him out of the executive suite within weeks. The message was clear: Without a ball in his hands, No. 23 was nothing special. When Nothing Else Matters can, for these reasons, be a depressing read. It will no doubt upset devout Jordanphiles. Even so, it has the distinct ring of truth. The reporting that went into this book is impressive. Leahy, then a news-side writer at The Washington Post, was placed on the Jordan beat when the player started his comeback in 2001. Leahy's not a sportswriter, a distinction he makes very clear because he doesn't think highly of most sportswriters. In his judgment, they avoid reporting anything negative about stars in exchange for morsels of access. Leahy makes a worthwhile point here, though he oversells it by claiming that this failing is limited to sports journalism, which in his opinion is "filled with athletes' buddies and mouthpieces." That would never happen, he claims, in political journalism. Evidently, Leahy has never watched Fox News Channel or read columnists such as Maureen Dowd. Leahy has the zeal of an investigative reporter. That includes the reflexive need to bring down the rich and powerful, such as Jordan, his agent David Falk and Pollin. Leahy unearths an interesting nugget about Pollin -- that the owner has been unsuccessfully shopping his authorized biography to publishers for years -- but does the author need to tell us this embarrassing fact three times? On balance, Leahy's doggedness in spending two years doing nothing but following one man around the nation serves the reader well. Yet Jordan remains a tough subject to crack and did not give Leahy access to his inner circle -- a situation Leahy cleverly dubs the "catch-23." Yet the author got enough people to speak, mostly not for attribution, to recreate a number of memorable scenes. For example, there's the preseason practice before Jordan's first season with the Wizards when he lashes into 19-year-old Kwame Brown -- the high schooler that Jordan the executive had made the No. 1 overall draft pick -- repeatedly calling him a "f---ing faggot." Just as telling are the smaller moments that add up to make Leahy's broader themes so convincing. After Wizards coach/Jordan lackey Doug Collins draws up a final play for a Jerry Stackhouse game-winning dunk at the buzzer, Jordan focuses as usual on his role. "Doug drew it up and it worked perfectly, in terms of me being the decoy and everybody focusing on me," he told the media. "[It] was easy to get an easy lay-up." Jordan believed that the team should revolve around him and typically it did, but not always to the Wizards' benefit. By the time that Jordan's final retirement rolls around, his younger teammates don't even feel enough affection for the legend to chip in and buy a farewell gift. As Leahy puts it, Jordan "had teammates but very few intimates." This book, though, possesses a truly intimate feel -- warts and all
Escrito por fraja8 às 12h43[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ]
Albertini estreia contra el Sevilla
El nuevo jugador del Real Madrid, el danés Thomas Gravesen (arriba), es manteado Escrito por fraja8 às 12h40[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] La afición pide a Florentino Pérez que fiche a... Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho y Adriano. Éstos son los fichajes que haría la afición del Real Madrid, los cracks que comprarían con el dinero que hay en la caja del club. Éstos dos futbolistas y Robinho, porque los 169 millones de euros de los que dispone el Real Madrid dan para contratar al actual jugador del Barcelona, el del Inter de Milán y el del Santos. Escrito por fraja8 às 12h36[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Zidane: "Soy el más viejo de este equipo, pero no estoy acabado"
De hecho, Zidane aseguró que se encuentra mejor en los últimos encuentros. "A lo mejor estoy mejor ahora, me encuentro más a gusto. He tenido alguna dificultad en estos seis meses, pero ahora estoy mejor. Si seguimos trabajando todos como ahora, podemos bacer que el 2005 sea mejor que el 2004. Estamos todavía a tiempo". Además, aseguró que el objetivo del equipo en los próximos partidos es dar caza al líder. "Tenemos que estar cerca del Barcelona, pero no estoy pendiente de ellos. Cuando juego en el campo no pienso en nada. Tampoco descarto al Valencia. Pueden llegar todavía, pero nuestro objetivo es estar lo más cerca posible del líder y que la ventaja no se vaya más lejos de los siete puntos". 
El enfado de Ronaldo, la nieve y más entrenamiento Escrito por fraja8 às 12h33[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Ronaldo viaja de urgencia a Brasil por la enfermedad de un familiar
El delantero madridista Ronaldo se ha visto obligado a viajar a Brasil este viernes por la mañana tras recibir la llamada de su familia y requerir su presencia en su país por un problema grave de salud de un familiar muy cercano al futbolista. Por tanto, el brasileño será baja para el partido del domingo en Soria, si es que se llega a jugar, ya que su disputa está en el aire por las condiciones climatológicas que tienen helado desde hace varios días el césped de Los Pajaritos. Escrito por fraja8 às 12h29[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Aussie Rules - Hewitt tops Roddick in Australian Open semis
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Lleyton Hewitt endured 31 aces to beat hard-serving Andy Roddick 3-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-1 Friday and advance to the Australian Open final. Hewitt, who complained before the tournament about the courts being slow and has angered three opponents with his loud shouts to pump himself up, was at his aggressive, fist-pumping best against Roddick.
He fired up the crowd, but one fan was too vocal for Roddick's tastes -- he complained about a spectator shouting during his service motion in the seventh game of the third set. Hewitt, who is trying to become the first Australian man to win here since Mark Edmondson in 1976, has won major titles from Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. On Sunday, he'll face Marat Safin in the Australian Open's first evening men's final. Safin ended top-ranked Roger Federer's 26-match winning streak in the other semifinal. Safin won the 2000 championship at the U.S. Open and has lost two previous finals here at Melbourne Park.
"Always said I'd do anything to have chance to play in the first night final here in history, and I've got my chance," Hewitt said. "Obviously, Marat's beaten the best player going around. He's playing extremely well. I'm going to have to raise my level yet again and see what happens." The women's final pits top-ranked Lindsay Davenport against No. 7 Serena Williams on Saturday. Roddick came out hot, jumping ahead at 2-0. He converted his fourth break-point opportunity when Hewitt hit long on a forehand from Roddick that was called good but TV replays indicated was just long.As he has done so often, Roddick relied on his blistering serve to get out of early trouble. He had six aces as he served at 5-3, using them to fend off four of Hewitt's five break points in the game, then finish off the set with another two.
Roddick made it seven aces in a row with four in the next game. But Hewitt had only three unforced errors in the second set. Hewitt still needed a tiebreaker to even the match. Hewitt had the only ace to pull ahead 6-3, and Roddick netted a backhand on the next point.After 23 aces in the first two sets, Roddick had only eight in the last two.
"It's never routine, especially playing a guy like Andy," Hewitt said. "He's got so much firepower, and I had to weather the storm." Roddick said the tiebreakers were the difference.
"I'm usually pretty money in those," Roddick said. "Either one of those would have given me a distinct advantage."I'm mad. I felt I was in there with a shot. He put himself in position to win big points. I donated a little more than I would have wanted." Roddick went ahead in the third set when Hewitt double-faulted at break point. But serving at 4-2, 30-30, Roddick -- clearly trying to put a little extra on his second serve -- double-faulted twice to return the favor. He had only six double-faults in the previous five matches, but had nine against Hewitt. Escrito por fraja8 às 12h27[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Safin stuns Federer in five sets to reach Australian Open final
MELBOURNE, Australia (Ticker) - Marat Safin proved Roger Federer is human after all. In an encounter for the ages, Safin shook off a match point in the fourth set and blew six of his own before toppling the defending champion, 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 9-7, in 4 hours, 27 minutes Thursday night to claim a berth in the Australian Open final. The fourth seed from Russia, Safin snapped Federer's incredible 26-match winning streak, which dated to a second-round loss in the Athens Olympics. Safin also avenged a straight-set loss to Federer in last year's Australian Open final and ended the Swiss' 24-match winning streak against top-10 players dating to October 2003.
"After these kinds of matches, you need some time for yourself to be able to sit down (and relax) because ... there's so much adrenaline inside of you," Safin said. In the fourth-set tiebreaker, Federer - who won three Grand Slams last year - was up 5-2 with two mini-breaks before losing three straight points, the first two on his serve. At 5-5, Federer hit a dropshot winner but smacked a between-the-legs shot into the net at 6-5 before losing the next two points to give Safin the set.
"It's really unfortunate," Federer said. "I thought I played, under the circumstances, really well. Yeah, a point here and there changed the match. So that was a pity. But at least I gave it a fight." In the fifth set, Safin saved two break points at 1-1, then broke Federer in the sixth game when the world No. 1 double-faulted at 30-40. Serving at 5-3, Safin blew two match points and Federer converted his third break point of the game when the Russian hit a backhand well wide. The very next game, Federer grabbed a quick 30-0 lead before giving up three straight points. On match point, Safin had a chance to rip a forehand past Federer at the net but just pushed it back, and the world No. 1 hit a volley winner before taking the next two points for 5-5.
"I surprised myself by coming back because I had all these problems and he has a great serve and a great game," Federer said. Safin saved a break point at 6-6 but blew two match points the next game. In the 16th game, Federer saved a sixth match point at 15-40, but on the next point, Safin hit a great backhand up the line that Federer barely got back before slipping, and the Russian poked a forehand into the open court to end the match.
"To come back and still fight to win, it's a little bit difficult because psychologically you're a little bit ... upset," Safin said. "You already had your chances. Normally, ... if you don't take your chances, another person will take it. "For some reason I found the power ... to fight and try to wait for my opportunities, and eventually they came, even though it took me like four match points. Five, six - it's enough match points." The duo hugged at the net and received a lengthy standing ovation from the crowd at Rod Laver Arena.
"I live my whole life with pressure, so this is nothing different," said Federer, who had won six of the first seven meetings with Safin. "I thought it was a match like every other match. You know, (Safin's) one of the best players in the world. ... In the past we had some good matches. "I was just ... hoping to win it, you know, like every other match." Escrito por fraja8 às 12h21[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Serena-Sharapova rivalry developing
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- It's not quite Martina vs. Chrissy, say, or even Serena vs. Venus. But the developing rivalry between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova has the potential to turn into an enduring one. Especially if they keep meeting in big matches.
And both players look forward to the next one."She's one of the best competitors out there," Sharapova said Thursday after her 2-6, 7-5, 8-6 loss to Williams in the Australian Open semifinals. "She's been in those situations when she was down in the third set, and out of nowhere she knows how to turn it around. That comes from experience; that comes from her fighting spirit."
Williams, 23, saved three match points and twice broke Sharapova when the 17-year-old Russian served for the match.Williams, who has six career singles Grand Slam titles to Sharapova's one, won their first meeting, at Miami in 2004. But she lost to Sharapova twice later in the season: the Wimbledon final and the season-ending tour championships final."I definitely think she has a fighting spirit," Williams said, "and I think that's gotten her to where she is today." She also feels that Sharapova, who moved to Florida from Russia when she was 7, considers her a role model.
"She's probably looked at me as a reference growing up, which is exciting," Williams said. "I never thought I'd play someone that probably looked up to me."But the mutual admiration society ended there Thursday. When asked what Williams had showed her during the match, Sharapova replied "nothing." And Williams reminded everyone that, although she credited Sharapova with having a fighting spirit, the American considers herself the "top fighter out there."Williams also saved match points against Kim Clijsters in the 2003 Australian Open semifinals."Those are always the best wins, when you're down match point, because you realize that you can't give up," she said.
Sharapova didn't give up, either. She just couldn't quite pull out the win."I gave it all I had. I played from my heart," Sharapova said. "I didn't take my chances when I could. And that's what this game is all about. The match could have gone any way, and she took her chances and she played well when she needed to. That's the difference." Escrito por fraja8 às 12h16[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Maxi: Como una moto
Rijkaard está pendiente de su presentación para decidir si se lo lleva a Sevilla. El que será junto a Iniesta el más joven integrante de la plantilla del primer equipo (ambos tienen 20 años, contra 17 de Messi, que sin embargo no posee contrato profesional) sorprendió sobre todo en las pruebas realizadas en el Centre de Medicina Esportiva FC Barcelona. Los encargados de evaluar su estado y peritar su fuerza y resistencia repetían que “está como una moto, como un toro”. Maxi no sólo refrendó su condición de 'tanque', sino que asimismo quedó comprobado que al igual que en el caso de Henrik Larsson, cuya vacante ocupará, el equilibrio entre masa muscular y grasa “es perfecto”, como subrayó el doctor Jordi Ardèvol, jefe de los Servicios Médicos del FC Barcelona, supervisor de los 'tests'. A primera hora de la mañana Maximiliano Gastón López se sometió a exámenes complementarias en el Hospital de Barcelona y después completó el programa en el club con una exploración básica (aspirometría, ecocardiología, etc.). “Ha superado todas las pruebas sin problemas, y en la de esfuerzo sus resultados han sido extraordinarios. Maxi tiene una potencia fuera de lo común”, recalcó Ardèvol, para quien “médicamente Maxi está en condiciones de jugar, aunque la decisión corresponde a Rijkaard. Ahora sólo llevabaquince días de pretemporada (con River), y su resistencia irá a más”. Jordi Ardèvol asimismo recalcó que “el futbolista está virgen en el tema de las lesiones; no ha sufrida ninguna lesión, ni tendinosa, ósea, de ligamentos o muscular”. El segundo refuerzo invernal tras Demetrio Albertini llega, pues, en plena forma, aunque está prácticamente descartado que debute mañana en Sevilla. Para empezar no habrá entrenado una sola vez con el grupo y aparte su tránsfer está pendiente de envío. Hasta que River y FC Barcelona no sellen y oficialicen hoy su fichaje por lo que resta de temporada y cuatro más no se cursará dicho documento ni tampoco Maxi será blaugrana a todos los efectos.
Por eso ayer por la tarde se ejercitó a puerta cerrada; pidió poder entrenar con tal de no perder comba y recibió autorización para hacerlo en las instalaciones azulgrana, aunque su comparecencia debe catalogarse de 'oficiosa'. Con todo, el acuerdo por su traspaso “está aprobado por River y Barça, y únicamente falta rubricarlo”, como subrayó el representante del jugador, Darío Bombini, agregando que “si River hubiera tenido alguna duda, no habrían autorizado a Maxi a desplazarse”. La 'cumbre' prevista para esta mañana entre Joan Laporta y dos emisarios de River, el vicepresidente primero Julio A. Macchi, y el asesor jurídico Eduardo Galeano, servirá para cerrar las negociaciones, por ahora intercontinentales, por mediación de intermediarios y vía fax. Txiki Begiristain, que el martes había señalado que “solamente falta pulir el tema de los pagos inmediatos y de la financiación”, matizó ayer en RAC 1 que “sólo queda la firma”, coincidiendo así con Bombini, quien insistió en que “no hay problemas de pago ni de avales”. A la espera de que hoy culmine su sueño y pueda fotografiarse con una camiseta azulgrana con –según todos los indicios– el '11' a la espalda Maxi ayer tuvo una primera toma de contacto con Frank Rijkaard. El técnico decidirá hoy mismo si el fornido delantero se sumará a la expedición a Sevilla de inmediato, si lo hace mañana o si se queda en Barcelona realizando un programa de entrenamientos especial Escrito por fraja8 às 12h10[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Laporta: "Maxi es un jugador maduro y con proyección" 
El Barça abonará estas cantidades en cuatro plazos, el primero de 2 millones, este año y la cláusula de rescisión del contrato del delantero argentino es de 40 millones de euros.
En el acto multitudinario de la presentación del jugador estuvo presente también la madre del futbolista (María), debido a que Maxi, al no ser aún mayor de edad en Argentina (condición que se alcanza a los 21 años), no estar emancipado y ser huérfano de padre, necesitaba la firma de su madre en el contrato profesional con el Barcelona. El vicepresidente primero de River, Julio Macchi, también estuvo presente en el acto, presidido por Joan Laporta y en el que llamó poderosamente la atención la ausencia de Sandro Rosell, vicepresidente del área deportiva del FC Barcelona.
El secretario técnico blaugrana, Txiki Begiristain, afirmó que "me provoca alegría presentar a un nuevo refuerzo para el club tras la llegada también de Albertini". "Teníamos cuatro opciones para fichar delanteros centro y nos hemos quedado con este perfil, que cualquier plantilla grande tendría que tener en su equipo. Es alto, fuerte y tiene gol. Con nosotros tiene que crecer. Es un joven con un futuro espectacular y esperamos de él una adaptación rápida", añadió. Escrito por fraja8 às 12h01[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] RING MASTER January 26, 2005 -- HERE'S your first look at "The Contender," NBC's new multi- million-dollar baby. The boxing reality show, co-created and starring Sylvester Stallone, begins March 9 — pitting 16 professional boxers against each other and culminating in a live, $1 million prizefight slated for May. "We put every penny back into the production," co-executive producer Mark Burnett told The Post yesterday. "This was really a labor of love." NBC is paying slightly more than $2 million per episode for the show to producers Stallone, reality guru Burnett ("Survivor") and Dreamworks chief Jeffrey Katzenberg — making "The Contender" the most expensive first-year reality show ever made. Burnett says over $1 million was spent on casting alone. "Boxing was once the greatest sport on the planet," he says. "It was the one sport that transcended every country, but today if you were to ask [a stranger] who the heavyweight champion of the world is, no one would know."
In the show's first episode, Stallone and boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard play hosts while the boxers are split into two teams — East Coast vs. West Coast — and move into a luxurious house to live together (their families live nearby in a slew of less-cushy houses rented by the producers). The teams go head-to-head in a relay race up a mountain near the Hollywood sign while dragging heavy logs on a 100-degree day. The winners get to pick who among them will fight someone of their choice from the losing team. The resulting brawl has a surprising twist — and is one of the best-filmed boxing scenes since Stallone made a "Rocky" movie. "The Contender" was originally slated to debut earlier — but Katzenberg and Burnett say they wanted to take their time with the project. Fox rushed a similar project onto the air last year, and "The Next Great Champ," hosted by Oscar De La Hoya, quickly flopped. "Steven Spielberg is one of the greatest filmmakers ever," says Katzenberg of his Dreamworks production partner, alluding to Fox's show. "If he had been asked to make 'Indiana Jones' in seven days, it would have come out terribly." With that in mind, "The Contender" production team has spent the last few weeks watching Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated film, "Million Dollar Baby," top the box office. They've also watched as Ken Burns' documentary about turn-of-the-century boxing champ Jack Johnson, "Unforgivable Blackness," has drawn raves. Now they hope the time might be right for "The Contender" to land its own body blow. Escrito por fraja8 às 19h35[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] BUZZER BEATERSSporting News this week features Super Bowl QBs Donovan McNabb and Tom Brady, with the header “Super Bowl Preview: Who Will Win and Why.” Sports Illustrated this week features Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter, with the header “Party On.”
Vikings Owner Red McCombs today released the following statement: “None of the media reports concerning the potential sale of the Vikings are correct. I am continuing to work with our staff on preparing the Vikings for the 2005 season” (Vikings). While the USTA was reported to have made nearly $12M in ’04, the estimated total has jumped to $26M with the addition of investment income. The USTA made $27M in ’03, including investment income (TENNISWEEK.com, 1/26). 
TAG Heuer today unveiled its Professional Golf Watch, co-designed by company endorser Tiger Woods. The Tiger Woods logo appears on the dial. A limited supply of 4,000 will be available in April. A portion of the sales will be contributed to the Tiger Woods Foundation (TAG Heuer). CONCACAF today announced that the Orange Bowl, Qwest Field, Gillette Stadium, Home Depot Center, L.A. Memorial Coliseum and Reliant Stadium will host matches in the July 6-24 Gold Cup. The semifinals and finals will be played at Giants Stadium (CONCACAF). Cottman Transmission today unveiled its latest ad campaign, via Holton Teitelman & Gury, Philadelphia, featuring “Fox NFL Sunday” analyst and FitzBradshaw Racing co-Owner Terry Bradshaw. Two TV spots were filmed by NFL Films. In December, Cottman inked a sponsorship deal for FitzBradshaw’s Busch Series team (THE DAILY). Peter Jacobsen Productions has “had preliminary talks with a potential title sponsor and the LPGA and PGA Tours about a new event in Sarasota” (FLORIDA TODAY, 1/26). General Mills has shifted its title sponsorship of NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award to its Chex brand. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won the last two awards (General Mills). Escrito por fraja8 às 19h28[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] MR. POTATO HEAD SPORTS SPUDS MAKING THEIR DEBUT IN DETROIT
Promotional Partners Worldwide’s (PPW) Mr. Potato Head Sports Spuds will be distributed to the first 5,000 fans in attendance for tonight’s Nuggets-Pistons game at The Palace of Auburn Hills. As the presenting sponsor of the team and giveaway, Rock Financial’s logo will appear on the plastic spud. The giveaway is the first in a series of Mr. Potato Head giveaways by PPW. Other teams that will be utilizing the giveaway include the Phillies and four ECHL teams (THE DAILY). Escrito por fraja8 às 19h28[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] NBA gambles on poker deal
All Pro Deal will produce NBA-licensed playing cards, featuring caricatures of NBA players, and a poker chip set with the NBA logo, according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. The cards and chips will sell for $10 and $129, respectively. While sales of chips alone last year grossed over $500M, Rovell wrote it is “not clear whether the NBA will be able to make a dent in the marketplace.” Meanwhile, Edward Looney, Exec Dir of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, said, “The sports leagues used to be the people that would fight like crazy to keep gambling as far away from their sport as they could. We don’t see many of them anymore. And if they want to do things like this, they can no longer say that they don’t want people to gamble on their action.” But NBA Dir of PR Matt Bourne said, “We’re responding to the market trends and how people are spending their leisure time” (ESPN.com, 1/24). ANTE UP: In this week’s SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, Terry Lefton notes the NBA-licensed poker products were displayed at last week’s Super Show in Orlando. Also, the World Poker Tour had a booth, and show officials “were impressed enough that they are planning a dedicated poker section” for ’06
Escrito por fraja8 às 19h27[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Ronaldo grava mensagem de apelo a sequestradores no Iraque
O atacante Ronaldo gravou na quarta-feira uma mensagem de apelo aos sequestradores do brasileiro João José de Vasconcellos Jr., retido no Iraque na semana passada no Iraque por um grupo militante. "O que eu peço é que haja pelo menos um contato e que possa iniciar essa negociação para que libertem o brasileiro, o João Vasconcellos", disse o jogador do Real Madrid em mensagem divulgada pelo Jornal Nacional, da Rede Globo."Espero que essa mensagem chegue ao coração dessas pessoas que o sequestraram e que tenham um pouquinho de piedade, que liberem o nosso brasileiro, que ele possa voltar e curtir seus familiares e amigos." O irmão da vítima, Luiz Henrique de Vasconcellos, afirmou que a mensagem será divulgada a partir de quinta-feira nas redes de televisão árabes."Meu irmão sempre falou que toda vez que vinha ao Brasil tinha que levar uma coleção de camisas do Ronaldinho...Esperamos que este sensível apoio ajude a demonstrar mais uma vez os laços de amizade entre os povos brasileiro e iraquiano", declarou ele no Rio de Janeiro. Segundo Vasconcellos, a família chegou a Ronaldo através de amigos em comum, além de contar com a contribuição do presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva."Gostaríamos de agradecer ao presidente Lula, que além do acompanhamento pontual do caso, não tem hesitado em contribuir pessoalmente para a solução".A assessoria de imprensa da Presidência da República negou que Lula tenha pedido a qualquer esportista para gravar um apelo.
O irmão mais novo do engenheiro disse que a família Vasconcellos está tentando convencer Ronaldinho Gaúcho e Pelé para que façam também um apelo."Como os sequestradores são jovens, eles conhecem os jogadores brasileiros e isso pode ajudar", disse. De acordo com Vasconcellos, Ronaldinho ainda não deu resposta e Pelé estaria inclinado a deixar o assunto com a chancelaria brasileira. Escrito por fraja8 às 19h23[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Chegada da Odepa acaba com problemas em preparação do Pan 2007
A comissão de inspeção da Organização Desportiva Pan-Americana (Odepa), visita as instalações do Estadio Mário Filho, o Maracanã, na zona norte do Rio de Janeiro, que será o local das finais do futebol, da chegada da maratona e das Cerimônias de Abertura e Encerramento dos Jogos Pan-Americanos de 2007.
A chegada dos inspetores da Organização Desportiva Pan-Americana (Odepa) ao Rio de Janeiro, para vistoriar o andamento das obras para os Jogos Pan-Americanos de 2007, teve efeito quase milagroso, fazendo com que todos os problemas que cercavam os preparativos simplesmente desaparecessem. Após muitas discussões sobre liberação de recursos e depois de o prefeito do Rio, Cesar Maia, afirmar que a cidade não tinha o dinheiro necessário para concluir as obras, nesta semana todas as partes se mostraram unidas e afirmaram não ter com o que se preocupar. A primeira garantia de que está tudo em ordem veio do ministro dos Esportes, Agnelo Queiroz. "Eles (Odepa) estão impressionados. Está tudo dentro do cronograma para realizar seguramente uma excelente edição dos Jogos Pan-Americanos. Um marco histórico para o esporte brasileiro", disse o ministro."Se no futuro algum parceiro tiver alguma dificuldade, o problema será avaliado e buscaremos uma solução. Os Jogos Pan-Americanos são um compromisso internacional assumido pelo presidente Lula", garantiu o ministro. A Comissão de Coordenação da Odepa elogiou os locais visitados no primeiro dia de inspeção. Os dirigentes estiveram no Riocentro (local de disputa de oito modalidades, Centros de Imprensa e de Televisão), na Vila Pan-Americana, no Estádio João Havelange e passaram ainda pelo Morro do Outeiro, local onde será realizada a prova de mountain bike. "Até agora está tudo indo muito bem, no caminho certo para realizar uns grandes Jogos Pan-Americanos. Pudemos observar a organização e a união do Governo Federal com as outras autoridades. O cronograma está sendo seguido, dentro do previsto", disse o presidente da Comissão, Julio Maglione. A visita da Comissão da Odepa prossegue nesta quarta-feira na Vila Militar de Deodoro, Estádio de Remo da Lagoa, Marina da Glória e Complexo Esportivo do Maracanã.Quem também expôs uma situação de normalidade financeira foi a Caixa Econômica Federal, responsável pela liberação dos fundos para a construção da Vila. José Domingos Vargas, superintendente institucional do banco, afirmou: "Não há nenhum tipo de atraso até o momento. Não há motivos para nos preocuparmos com ela [a Vila]".Pela prefeitura, foi o presidente da Riourbe, Jorge Fortes, quem disse estar tudo em ordem. "As obras estão rigorosamente dentro dos prazos, com isso a Prefeitura está honrando com todos os compromissos assumidos pelo prefeito Cesar Maia". Escrito por fraja8 às 19h12[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Tevez é a ausência na Argentina. Crespo e Riquelme de volta.
Buenos Aires (Argentina) - O técnico José Pekerman surpreendeu na convocação da seleção Argentina para o amistoso contra a Alemanha, no próximo dia 9 de fevereiro, em Dusseldorf. Para a surpresa dos hermanos, Carlitos Tevez, novo ídolo da Fiel, foi ignorado pelo técnico, que não quer prejudicar a recuperação do atacante (com uma infecção na perna).
Outra surpresa, agradável para os argentinos, são as voltas de Crespo e Riquelme. O atacante voltou a ser chamado depois de recuperar a forma no Milan, enquanto o meia, revelação do Boca Juniors, foi lembrado por estar realizando um grande Campeonato Espanhol a serviço do Villarreal. Além deles, quem também voltou a ser chamado por Pekerman foi o meia Pablo Aimar, recuperado de uma contusão que o afastou dos últimos 14 jogos da Argentina. A curiosidade da lista foi a convocação de apenas um goleiro: Leonardo Franco, que atua no Atletico de Madrid, da Espanha.
Confira a lista dos 20 jogadores, todos atuando na Europa Goleiro: Leonardo Franco (Atletico de Madrid/ESP). Zagueiros: Gabriel Milito (Real Zaragoza/ESP), Gonzalo Rodriguez (Villarreal/ESP), Diego Placente (Bayer Leverkusen/ALE), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter de Milão/ITA), Fabricio Coloccini (AC Milan/ITA), Leandro Cufre (AS Roma/ITA), Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United/ING). Meias: Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal/ESP), Lucas Bernardi (Monaco/FRA), Pablo Aimar (Valencia/ESP), Aldo Duscher (Deportivo La Coruña/ESP), Lionel Scaloni (Deportivo La Coruña/ESP), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Espanyol/ESP), Leonardo Ponzio (Real Zaragoza/ESP), Javier Zanetti (Inter de Milão/ITA) e Esteban Cambiasso (Inter de Milão/ITA). Atacantes: Luciano Galletti (Real Zaragoza/ESP), Javier Saviola (Monaco/FRA) e Hernan Crespo (AC Milan/ITA). Escrito por fraja8 às 19h10[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Maxi López aterriza en Barcelona
El delantero argentino Maxi López ya se encuentra en la Ciudad Condal, a la espera de que el Barcelona y River Plate firmen el acuerdo que le convierta en nuevo jugador azulgrana. Escrito por fraja8 às 18h58[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Ministério Público de Berlim investiga juiz suspeito de manipulação
Nesta quarta-feira, a Federação Alemã de Futebol entrou com queixa-crime na Promotoria de Berlim contra Robert Hoyzer, suspeito de manipulação de resultados de partidas de futebol e de ter apostado altas somas de dinheiro nos jogos por ele apitados. Espera-se que as investigações levem a outras pessoas envolvidas no escândalo que também teriam feito vultuosas apostas nas partidas arbitradas por Hoyzer.
Escrito por fraja8 às 18h56[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Four months for Lewis - Ravens RB receives sentence for setting up drug deal
ATLANTA (AP) -- Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis was sentenced to four months in jail Wednesday for using a cell phone to try to set up a drug deal about 41/2 years ago. The sentence issued in federal court was what Lewis expected under an agreement reached with prosecutors in October.Lewis, who tried to set up the deal a few months after he was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft, also will spend two months in a halfway house and perform 500 hours of community service following his prison term.
Prosecutors agreed to drop more serious drug conspiracy and attempted cocaine possession charges."I'm truly sorry for what I did," Lewis said to U.S. District Judge Orinda Evans. Explaining the short sentence, the judge said the government didn't have a strong case and noted the only witness against Lewis was an informant with a lengthy criminal record.
Evans said she was also giving Lewis "credit for stepping up to the bar" and admitting his guilt.Lewis will have a few days before beginning his sentence so a cast can be removed from his right ankle, the judge said. Lewis recently had foot surgery.Lewis was suspended for two games by the NFL after his guilty plea; the Ravens finished the season 9-7 and missed the playoffs.Lewis, a former star at Tennessee, could have faced at least 10 years in prison if convicted of the conspiracy charge, but likely would have received a shorter sentence under federal guidelines. In 1997, he pleaded guilty to a shoplifting charge in suburban Atlanta, but officials agreed to wipe his record clean if he complied with his probation. In the drug case, Lewis was accused of helping broker a cocaine deal for childhood friend Angelo Jackson during conversations with a government informant in Atlanta.On June 23, 2000 -- Lewis had been drafted by the Ravens on April 15 -- the FBI said an informant contacted Lewis on his cell phone to discuss selling cocaine to Lewis and Jackson. The FBI said Lewis and Jackson later met the informant at an Atlanta restaurant. Both conversations were taped.Jackson and the informant met several times more over the next several weeks, but Lewis was not part of any of those conversations, court papers say. No drugs ever exchanged hands.
Lewis signed a six-year, $35.3 million contract with the Ravens in July of that year. Three years later, he was chosen NFL offensive player of the year after rushing for 2,066 yards, the second highest total ever for a single season. Lewis wasn't indicted on the federal drug charges until February 2004; Prosecutors say they waited to protect an ongoing investigation. Jackson has pleaded guilty to attempting to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. He was expected to receive five years in prison at his sentencing later Wednesday. Escrito por fraja8 às 18h51[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ]  Escrito por fraja8 às 18h47[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Burning Questions - Unsung heroes, coaching edge and battle of the boots
1. Who's the unsung hero of the Eagles defense? It's not often that a player can join the starting lineup halfway through the season and still make the Pro Bowl, but that's the kind of impact that Philadelphia middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter has made in the past two-plus months. In his second go-round with the Eagles, Trotter began the year playing on special teams. He'll end it in Hawaii, making his third trip to the league's all-star game. In the first half of 2004, the Eagles' Achilles' heel on defense was stopping the rush. In their first eight games, they allowed 130.6 yards per game, and an average carry of 4.7 yards. Philly's nadir came at Pittsburgh, when the Eagles were gouged for 252 rushing yards. Then came Trotter. Inserted into the middle linebacker slot, with Mark Simoneau being shifted to the weakside position, Trotter cemented the Philly run defense much like he did when he made consecutive Pro Bowl trips for the Birds in 2000 and 2001. In the first six games with Trotter in the middle (Philadelphia closed the season with losses in two meaningless games), the Eagles' rush defense dwindling to 83.5 yards per game and a 3.5 average per run. In the playoffs, Trotter's reemergence continued. He led the Eagles with 15 tackles, including a team-best two for loss. Against Minnesota in the divisional round, No. 54 picked off Daunte Culpepper once, returning the interception 35 yards. He also added seven tackles and a half a sack. In last week's NFC title game win over Atlanta, Trotter was at it again, with eight solo tackles, helping limit the league's best running game to just 99 yards on 26 carries. The Eagles did a superb job containing elusive Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, holding him to 26 yards on four scrambles. In the Super Bowl, Trotter's challenge will be slowing down New England's Corey Dillon-led running game, which has rumbled for 336 yards on 71 carries (4.7 average) in playoff wins over Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. 2. How much is Bill Belichick's edge in Super Bowl experience over Andy Reid worth?Historically speaking it means a lot, but Super Bowl head-coaching experience is far from an air-tight indicator of who will win this year's game. Consider the following: In the 18 previous games that have featured one head coach with previous Super Bowl experience, and one first-timer (both Belichick and Reid won Super Bowls as assistants with the Giants and Packers, respectively), the Super Bowl veteran is 11-7 against the Super Bowl rookie. The veterans have won the last two times this particular scenario has fallen in place: Last year, when Belichick's Patriots beat Carolina's John Fox, and in the 1999 season's Super Bowl, when St. Louis and Dick Vermeil nipped Tennessee and Jeff Fisher. In between those two games, the other three Super Bowls all featured a pair of first-time head coaches -- Jon Gruden vs. Bill Callahan in 2002, Belichick vs. Mike Martz in 2001, and Brian Billick vs. Jim Fassel in 2000. But Reid can take heart in two fairly recent examples of a first-time Super Bowl head coach getting the measure of the more experienced man: In 1997, Mike Shanahan's Broncos upset Mike Holmgren's Packers, and in 1996, Holmgren led Green Bay to a win over New England -- led by two-time Super Bowl winner, Bill Parcells. So it can happen. Super Bowl coaching experience once provided a greater edge than it does today. In the first seven Super Bowls, a first-timer never beat a veteran, with Green Bay's Vince Lombardi bested Oakland's Jon Rauch in II, Kansas City's Hank Stram triumphing over Minnesota's Bud Grant in IV and Miami's Don Shula won in his third Super Bowl, against Washington's George Allen. It was not until Super Bowl IX, 30 years ago, that a first-timer handled a veteran. In that game, Pittsburgh's Chuck Noll won out against Grant, who with that loss dropped to 0-3 in the big game. 3. What will be Super Bowl XXXIX's deepest position?
If you said quarterback, you're wrong. No offense to Donovan McNabb and Tom Brady, but they don't dominate at their position to the degree that kickers David Akers and Adam Vinatieri do. These guys put the foot in the foot-ball game. They're the best in the biz, from A to V. This much we know: It's the best matchup of kickers in Super Bowl history. Both rank in the top five among the league's career field-goal percentage leaders: The Eagles' Akers is second, with a gaudy 83.2 success rate (139 of 167), and the Patriots' Vinatieri is fifth, at 82.1 (243 of 296). In last week's NFC title game against Atlanta, Akers became the third kicker in NFL history to make at least one field goal in 10 consecutive playoff games, joining Toni Fritsch and Vinatieri. Pretty impressive, huh? Or least it was until the AFC championship game got started in Pittsburgh, where Vinatieri became just the second kicker (joining Frisch) to make a field goal in 11 straight postseason games. Vinatieri led the NFL this year with 141 points. Akers led the NFC with 122 points. Vinatieri will be the AFC kicker at the Pro Bowl. Akers will be the NFC's representative in Hawaii. Vinatieri was 31 of 33 in the regular season, posting a career-best field goal percentage of 93.9, setting a franchise record and leading the league in that department. Akers was 27 of 32 this season (84.4), leading the NFC in field goals made. And clutch? Both kickers have the ice water in their veins that come with working in cold-weather, outdoor environments. Vinatieri has 17 career game-winning field goals, including his two famous Super Bowl-clinching kicks for New England. His 23 career postseason field goals trail only NFL all-time scoring leader Gary Anderson, who has 32. Akers set a league and club record this season, drilling 17 kicks of 40 yards or longer, and he has been the NFL's most reliable kicker since the start of the 2002 season, and its leading scorer since 2000 (524 points). If Super Bowl XXXIX comes down to the foot of either Akers or Vinatieri, the Eagles and Patriots both will be relying on the best there is. Escrito por fraja8 às 18h47[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Milan edge out Udinese
Two goals from Italian international midfield player Massimo Ambrosini helped AC Milan earn a narrow 3-2 advantage against Udinese Calcio in the first leg of their Coppa Italia quarter-final. Di Michele double Free-kick winner Slender lead Headed winner Escrito por fraja8 às 18h43[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Clinical Chelsea clinch final place
An 85th-minute free-kick from Damien Duff gave Chelsea FC a 2-1 victory at Manchester United FC at Old Trafford tonight and a place in the English League Cup final. Lampard strikes Sublime finish Long-range free-kick Escrito por fraja8 às 18h42[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Navas strikes late for Sevilla
A late Jesús Navas goal helped Sevilla FC to a narrow 2-1 win against CA Osasuna in tonight's Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg. Determined start Navas winner Match postponed Escrito por fraja8 às 18h41[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Tottenham take Mido on loan
Tottenham Hotspur FC have reached an agreement with AS Roma for Egyptian striker Mido, who will join the English Premiership side on an 18-month loan deal. Tottenham statement Limited opportunities Promising talent Escrito por fraja8 às 18h40[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Prevenção faz Parreira chamar Luis Fabiano e Ricardo Oliveira para amistoso Lesões de alguns dos principais jogadores da seleção brasileira fizeram Carlos Alberto Parreira, técnico da equipe, se antecipar e inflar com mais dois nomes o já recheado grupo de 22 jogadores convocados no dia 19 para o amistoso contra Hong Kong, dia 9 de fevereiro, que renderá à Ambev, parceira comercial da CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol), a quantia de US$ 1 milhão. Nesta quarta-feira, o treinador listou os atacantes Luis Fabiano, do Porto, de Portugal, e Ricardo Oliveira, do Bétis, da Espanha, para o jogo no país asiático.
Outro que chegou a preocupar, mas atuou na rodada do último final de semana, foi Ronaldinho Gaúcho. O meia-atacante foi poupado do treino do Barcelona na sexta-feira, mas entrou em campo no sábado e foi um dos destaques do time na vitória por 3 a 0 contra o Racing Santander. Prazo Parreira não poderia aguardar o parecer sobre a situação de Adriano devido à legislação da Fifa (Federação Internacional de Futebol Association), que determina em até 15 dias antes da partida o anúncio da convocação de atletas que atuam fora do país. Tal regulamento, inclusive, privou a seleção de levar à China dois de seus titulares - Kaká e Dida, ambos do Milan, da Itália. E permitiu ao Lyon, da França, fazer uma ameaça - não confirmada, segundo a assessoria de imprensa da CBF - de não liberar Juninho Pernambucano. A entidade máxima do futebol mundial ordena aos clubes europeus que liberem seus atletas apenas para amistosos disputados naquele continente. Se o local do jogo estiver fora da Europa, caso do amistoso do dia 9, a liberação se torna facultativa.
Na ocasião, a cúpula da CBF entendeu que Dida, Kaká e Cafu, todos do Milan, e Lúcio e Zé Roberto, do Bayern de Munique, poderiam ter insistido mais na liberação. Como "castigo", tais jogadores foram excluídos do jogo contra a Bolívia, em setembro de 2004, pelas eliminatórias para a Copa do Mundo. Data especial O amistoso contra Hong Kong será realizado numa data muito importante para os dois países e revela diferenças culturais entre os povos. Enquanto em Hong Kong o 9 de fevereiro simboliza o primeiro dia do "ano novo", além da comemoração do aniversário de 90 anos da federação local, a AFHK (Associação de Futebol de Hong Kong), para os brasileiros a partida cairá justamente na Quarta-Feira de Cinzas, às 7h da manhã (horário de Brasília). A partida contra Hong Kong será a primeira do Brasil em 2005. A estréia oficial acontece apenas o dia 27 de março, pelas eliminatórias para a Copa do Mundo de 2006, contra o Peru, ainda sem local definido pela CBF. No momento, o time comandado por Parreira está na segunda colocação na luta por uma das quatro vagas diretas do continente para a Copa. O Brasil tem 20 pontos, dois a menos que a líder Argentina. Na última rodada, a seleção brasileira perdeu sua invencibilidade na competição, ao ser derrotada por 1 a 0 pelo Equador, dia 17 de novembro, no estádio Olímpico de Atahualpa, em Quito. Veja a lista dos convocados para o amistoso: Goleiros Julio Cesar (sem clube) Gomes (PSV Eindhoven-HOL) Zagueiros Juan (Bayer Leverkusen-ALE) Roque Júnior (Bayer Leverkusen-ALE) Lúcio (Bayern de Munique-ALE) Luisão (Benfica-POR) Laterais Cafu (Milan-ITA) Belletti (Barcelona-ESP) Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid-ESP) Gilberto (Hertha Berlin-ALE) Meio-campo Renato (Sevilla-ESP) Emerson (Juventus-ITA) Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon-FRA) Zé Roberto (Bayern de Munique-ALE) Elano (Santos) Júlio Baptista (Sevilla-ESP) Alex (Fenerbahçe-TUR) Diego (Porto-POR) Atacantes Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Barcelona-ESP) Robinho (Santos) Ronaldo (Real Madrid-ESP) Adriano (Internazionale-ITA) Luis Fabiano (Porto-POR) Ricardo Oliveira (Bétis-ESP) Escrito por fraja8 às 16h42[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ]
Escrito por fraja8 às 16h41[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Sports Action and Moves !
Lleyton Hewitt gets pumped up during his Australian Open quarterfinal match.
The Suns' Jim Jackson gets position on Knicks F Trevor Ariza and grabs a rebound.
Lakers F Lamar Odom fights off a couple of Sonics defenders.
Texas G Kenny Taylor passes the ball inside.
The sand goes flying as Kurt Barnes tries to work his way out of a bunker.
Jacqui Cooper practices for the Chevrolet Freestyle International. Escrito por fraja8 às 16h38[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Not Againnnnn !  Escrito por fraja8 às 16h36[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Scarlett to SpongeBob: Better watch those hands!  SpongeBob's leading lady ... Moss gets yes from God, no from doctor ... Busted bikinis at Duke ... Pennington's bad arm, Brady's flu ... No NHL. Canadians drinking less. Correlation? ... and more.
1. A day after Terrell Owens said that God was healing his leg, T.O.'s doctor said he would not give the Eagles wide receiver clearance to play in the Super Bowl. God declined comment since He was still stewing about the Academy's snub of The Passion of The Christ. 2. The NFL will introduce a line of league-licensed SpongeBob SquarePants Super Bowl apparel next week. Eager to dispel recent rumors, SpongeBob will make appearances in Jacksonville with his new Playboy-centerfold girlfriend, SpongeBarb NoPants. 3. Jet quarterback Chad Pennington played the final six games with a torn rotator cuff on his throwing arm. The injury might have explained a few shaky performances by Pennington down the stretch. In other Jets news, kicker Doug Brien revealed he pulled his hamstring when he was 16. 4. Florida police say that Avalanche forward Peter Worrell identified himself as his former teammate, Swedish defenseman Andreas Lilja, when Worrell was pulled over for a traffic violation last month. Worrell's ruse was uncovered when he couldn't name the members of ABBA. 5. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady revealed in this week's SI that he was laid up with a flu-related fever of 103 degrees the night before leading New England to victory in Sunday's AFC Championship Game. Always a master of preparation, Peyton Manning has begun hoarding vials of flu virus for next year's playoffs. 6. Sports figures love to take shots at the media, but few are as entertaining as two protests lodged this week. First, former Canucks GM Brian Burke took issue with an item by New York Post hockey writer Larry Brooks that quoted two sources saying Burke would become the Blackhawks director of hockey operations when (if?) the lockout ends. Burke responded that he hadn't talked with anyone about a Blackhawks job, adding that "Brooks should visit his physician and get his prescription renewed." Meanwhile, media-savvy Mavericks owner Mark Cuban used his blog to assault ESPN.com hoops writer Chad Ford, starting with the headline, "There is a new idiot on the sports scene." Does that mean the rest of us idiots need to move over one spot? 7. Dick Vitale has reached a contract extension with ESPN that will have him calling NCAA basketball games through the 2011-12 season, by which time Vitale himself is projected to be a diaper dandy. 8. It seems the Cameron Crazies can get a little wild away from the stands as well. Durham police busted a party Saturday night in the basement of a Duke fraternity house in which women in bikinis were wrestling in a tub of baby oil in an homage to Old School. Fortunately, no octogenarians passed away during the party. But several women were sent home in subfreezing temperatures wearing only their scanty swimsuits, though at least they didn't have to walk all the way back to New Jersey. 9. Only about 1.1 million of the 3.7 million tickets for soccer's 2006 World Cup will be available for purchase by the general public. The rest have been reserved for top hooligans worldwide. 10. NHL lockout update: As the lockout hits Day 133, it's not just players, owners and fans feeling the pain. A study has found that sales at beer, wine and liquor stores in Canada have dropped 4.2 percent since the lockout began. The silver lining is that fans evidently haven't taken to the bottle to drown their sorrows.
Escrito por fraja8 às 16h35[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Após 10 anos, Grand Slam tem 4 favoritos na semi
Classificado por especialistas como Grand Slam das surpresas, o Aberto da Austrália não poderia ter desfecho mais previsível em 2005. Ao contrário de temporadas anteriores, em que "zebras" emergiam mesmo em rodadas finais, classificaram-se para a semi deste ano os quatro principais favoritos ao título: o suíço Roger Federer, o norte-americano Andy Roddick, o australiano Lleyton Hewitt e o russo Marat Safin. Os primeiros cabeças-de-chave não avançavam à penúltima rodada de um Grand Slam desde Wimbledon em 1995. Naquela ocasião, disputaram a semifinal os norte-americanos Andre Agassi e Pete Sampras, o alemão Boris Becker e o croata Goran Ivanisevic, que ocupavam nesta ordem a lista de pré-classificados. No torneio deste ano, passaram à semifinal quatro tenistas que estão ou estiveram no topo do ranking. Federer é o cabeça-de-chave 1 e decide vaga na final contra Safin, o quarto entre os pré-classificados. Já Roddick, que é segundo favorito, briga com Hewitt, o terceiro melhor ranqueado na chave principal. Escrito por fraja8 às 16h25[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] 'Bon vivant', Xuxa pega leve pelo Pan do Rio e estuda nadar até 2012 No esporte internacional, as duas categorias de atletas mais recorrentes são os "certinhos", que vivem para suas modalidades obstinadamente atrás de resultados e, muitas vezes, viram garotos-propaganda de mão-cheia, e os chamados "bad boys", geralmente talentosos, mas que têm vocação inata para a confusão.
Para esta definição, talvez não exista melhor exemplo dentro do esporte brasileiro que Fernando Scherer, o Xuxa. Grande nome da natação nacional recente, Scherer sempre carregou consigo a fama de dividir o tempo entre as águas e as baladas. E, ao contrário dos "bad boys" afeitos à noite, manteve uma imagem de "bom genro" e com precioso apelo comercial. Aos 30 anos, idade em que a maioria é vista nas piscinas como vovôs, Xuxa não tem qualquer esboço de aposentadoria para o futuro. Ainda como principal nome nacional de sua prova, os 50 m livre, o nadador catarinense não vê qualquer motivo para deixar a natação. "Enquanto estiver nadando bem, com competitividade e nadando de igual para igual com a molecada, vou continuar nas piscinas", afirmou Scherer, acenando com trajetória distinta do amigo Gustavo Borges, que deixou as águas com 32 anos no final do ano passado. "Até 2008 com certeza eu vou. Para 2012, vou adotar um planejamento ano a ano. Vamos ver se dá", completou, confirmando que pensa nos Jogos de Pequim e até na Olimpíada seguinte, quando estaria com 38 anos. Xuxa não tem nenhum plano profissional traçado para quando deixar a carreira. O nadador manifesta apenas o desejo de continuar envolvido em trabalhos sociais como os que participa hoje em dia. "Pode ser um projeto de vida", disse. Após as férias de cinco meses à qual se deu direito logo ao término dos Jogos Olímpicos de Atenas, em agosto do último ano, Xuxa retomou os treinamentos em fevereiro já pensando no seu principal objetivo na carreira na atualidade, os Jogos Pan-Americanos.
"Meu principal objetivo é o Pan. Se me perguntar o que é mais importante, uma medalha olímpica ou medalha no Pan, com certeza te digo que é a deste Pan do Rio, por tudo o que representa para o esporte brasileiro", completou Xuxa, sete vezes ouro nos Jogos continentais e vencedor da prova dos 50 m rasos nas últimas três edições. No ano de preparação para o Pan do Rio, consta na agenda uma participação em uma competição de bobsleigh (trenó de neve), em Saint Morritz, na Suíça. No evento, Xuxa participará da equipe das estrelas internacionais Michael Phelps, Ian Thorpe e Alexander Popov. "Não conheço Phelps. Quero conversar com o moleque, ver qual é a dele. É o grande nome da natação do momento. Com os outros me dou bem. Teve um tempo que eu e o Popov demos umas 'bicadas' um no outro, por causa da rivalidade. Mas hoje é tranqüilo", afirmou. O catarinense olha para a jovem geração que desponta na natação brasileira com muita esperança. "O Thiago Pereira e a Joanna Maranhão são nomes que terão chances de medalha olímpica. A Rebeca Gusmão e a Flávia Delaroli também podem evoluir bastante", comentou Xuxa, que revela já ter atuado como conselheiro na última Olimpíada. "Conversei muito com o Thiago em Atenas. Dei muitos conselhos para ele, mas não adianta nada. O cara que está na primeira Olimpíada nem ouve. É muito nervosismo. Foi assim comigo", afirmou o nadador, que participou dos Jogos de Atlanta (bronze nos 50 m livres), Sydney (bronze no revezamento 4x100 m livres) e Atenas. Escrito por fraja8 às 16h19[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Clubs grateful for African ability
By Paul Saffer
When Algerian forward Rabah Madjer scored for FC Porto 78 minutes into their 1987 European Champion Clubs' Cup final victory against FC Bayern München, he was striking a blow not just for the Portuguese side but for a continent. New landmark
Fontaine fame Eusébio excellence Desailly success Established competitors Further honours Scouting networks Ivory trade Escrito por fraja8 às 16h17[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] T.O. 's desire: Not what the doctor ordered
The orthopedic surgeon who examined Terrell Owens' surgically repaired right ankle yesterday told the Eagles' star wide receiver that he should not play in Super Bowl XXXIX. But according to the doctor, Owens said he would play anyway. "I'm not releasing him medically," Mark Myerson said. "He's not medically fit to play. However, he has done extremely well in his recovery and his rehab, and he feels he'll be able to play. That is going to be a team decision that they'll have to decide themselves."
Owens did not return phone calls last night. Team president Joe Banner said the Eagles had no comment about the doctor's recommendation. The Baltimore-based surgeon said he informed Owens of the risks involved in playing with two surgical screws in his ankle, but that did not discourage the wide receiver, either.
"He feels he can play and he's going to accelerate his rehab," Myerson said. "He understands the risks. They've been discussed extensively. At this point in time, he wants to take those risks and play." Asked what risks were involved, Myerson declined to comment. "Those, I'm not going to discuss right now," he said. "The risks in playing are between myself and my patient."
A team source said the Eagles and Owens will have to make a joint decision about whether he should play against the New England Patriots in the Feb. 6 Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla. Myerson inserted the two screws into Owens' ankle Dec. 22 after the receiver had suffered a severe ankle sprain and leg fracture three days earlier against Dallas. Myerson said he understood why his patient would ignore his recommendation.
"I can understand perfectly," Myerson said. "For that reason, it's a dilemma for him and for me. I have to do what's right for the patient, regardless of the circumstances that are taking place right now. He is caught up in the excitement and the heat of the moment. Everybody wants him to be able to play, but in the long run, it's not going to benefit him."
If Owens wants to play, he still has much to prove to coach Andy Reid, trainer Rick Burkholder, and team physicians Peter DeLuca and Paul Marchetto. Reid said Monday that Owens' rehabilitation had not advanced beyond the receiver's running in the pool at the Eagles' NovaCare Complex. Myerson confirmed that. "He's been running in the pool and doing rehab with the therapist," Myerson said. "He is vastly improved, but he has not healed sufficiently enough that I can give him a full release. There's no instability of the ankle, but he does not have full healing."
Owens, who attended the 76ers' game Monday night against Miami, predicted he would be on the field against the Patriots and said he has had spiritual help in his rehab. "What a lot of people don't realize is, I have been doing a lot of rehab on my own, healing on my own," Owens said. "Spiritually, God is healing me, and I am way ahead of what a lot of people expected me to be - even the doctor. He is even shocked at what he has seen the times I have gone back there to do my post-op. "Spiritually I have been healed and I believe I will be out on the field," for the Super Bowl, "regardless of what anybody else says. They can't deny the Man above."
The doctor's recommendation definitely puts the Eagles in a tough spot. Reid was asked Monday whether he'd allow Owens to play if he wanted to play. "I have to listen to the doctor and Rick," Reid said. "Inevitably, he has to be able to physically play. Somewhere in the next few days, he's going to try to run on it and jog on it and see what he can do. We'll progress from there. He's been working in the pool and running in the pool; it's just a matter of him getting out and trying it on land without the water."
Quarterback Donovan McNabb said Monday that he felt the Eagles could win the Super Bowl with or without Owens. "I think he will be back," McNabb said. "But, if he can't be back, we have to continue this ship home."
The Eagles have put up points without Owens in their two playoff games. They scored 27 in each of their victories over the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons. During their 14 regular-season games with Owens this season, they averaged 26.4 points per game Escrito por fraja8 às 16h15[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Machado makes way at Guimarães
Manuel Machado has stepped down as coach of Vitória SC after the 3-1 defeat by Vitória FC in the sixth round of the Portuguese Cup, although he will remain at the club for the immediate future. 'Accumulation of events' 'No surprise' César Peixoto steps in Escrito por fraja8 às 16h09[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] MLB - Delgado takes Marlins' $52 million offer
MIAMI (AP) -- Those fans in the distant right-field bleachers at the Florida Marlins' ballpark may finally catch some souvenirs from the home team, courtesy of Carlos Delgado. Florida added much-needed left-handed power to the lineup Tuesday when the free-agent slugger agreed to a $52 million, four-year contract. The deal, which includes an option year making it potentially worth $64 million over five seasons, is contingent on Delgado passing a physical Wednesday, the Marlins said. ``I feel Florida offers me a real opportunity to win a championship, which is what I'm looking for at this stage of my career,'' Delgado told a Puerto Rican newspaper, El Vocero. ``This is a very talented team, very aggresive at the plate. They have a good combination of speed and power.'' The Marlin's spacious park has long been considered especially tough on left-handed hitters. Their top lefty power hitter last season, Hee Seop Choi, hit eight home runs at home before being traded in July. Florida figures Delgado should do better. ``We studied every one of his home runs he hit last year,'' owner Jeffrey Loria said. ``Every one would have been out at our place, with the exception of one.''
Delgado, 32, hit 32 homers with 99 RBIs in 2004. He also drew attention for protesting the U.S.-Iraq war by refusing to stand when ``God Bless America'' was played at ballparks across the majors. He hit at least 30 homers each of the past eight seasons in Toronto. ``He's got numbers that are quite spectacular,'' Loria said. ``It's always 30 to 40-something home runs, always 100-plus RBIs, and it's a presence and a kind of person we like to have on this ballclub.'' With the agreement, the Marlins become perhaps the team to beat in the NL East. They won the World Series in 1997 and 2003, but are still seeking their first division title. They also want to win support for a new ballpark. ``We're about trying to be a very competitive ballclub, and the stadium will take care of itself in due time,'' Loria said. ``But Carlos certainly is not going to hurt that effort.'' To land the most formidable left-handed power hitter in the Marlins' 12-year history, it took their richest per-season deal. Florida outbid the New York Mets, Texas and Baltimore.
The Mets also made a $52 million, four-year offer, of which $2 million was the buyout of a fifth-year option. Delgado's side calculated that in present-day value, New York's offer was worth $30,000 more than Florida's. ``From day one, we have told everyone that Carlos would make his choice based on where he felt he had the best chance to win a World Series,'' wrote his agent, David Sloane, in an e-mail. ``I'm proud to say that is exactly why he made the choice he made.'' Escrito por fraja8 às 16h07[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ]
Escrito por fraja8 às 16h03[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Give It A Breast: A-B Nixes Janet Spoof’s Super Bowl Run
Anheuser-Busch, after consulting with the NFL and Fox, has “decided not to broadcast ‘Wardrobe Malfunction,’” a Bud Light ad, via DDB, that fabricates “a story of how Janet Jackson’s breast ended up exposed” during last year’s Super Bowl halftime show, according to Suzanne Vranica of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. A-B VP/Brand Management & Global Brand Creative Dir Bob Lachky: “Why take the risk? All you need is one person to be offended. Some people don’t want to be reminded of the incident.” Vranica notes A-B “already has turned its reticence into a [PR] coup by posting the spot” on Budweiser.com and previewing it for the media (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/26). In N.Y., Stuart Elliott notes A-B’s ten Super Bowl spots “are well within the bounds of mainstream marketing.” Lachky: “We want to make sure the types of situations we depict and the jokes we tell don’t cross the line of good taste. There’s a heightened sense of awareness where that line is” (N.Y. TIMES, 1/26). USA TODAY’s Michael McCarthy reports TBWA/Chiat/Day will create a game spot touting the February 21 release of Budweiser Select, A-B’s new low-carb offering. Spots via DDB Chicago feature the Clydesdales, Cedric The Entertainer and Nelly with Tim McGraw (USA TODAY, 1/26). Lachky, on the Budweiser Select ad: “We’ll have the spot say ‘coming Feb. 21’ and treat (the spot) like it is a movie teaser” (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/26). A-B will also air an ad that pays tribute to the military (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/26).
PEPSI: In N.Y., Sanders & Petrecca report PepsiCo will air a spot for its Diet Pepsi brand featuring Sean “Puffy” Combs, Eva Longoria and Cindy Crawford. In the spot, Combs drives a Pepsi truck to an awards show, where his “coolness factor immediately makes the borrowed Pepsi truck the new must-have ride.” The ad was directed by Joe Pytka. Crawford’s appearance is a nod to her “memorable Diet Pepsi Super Bowl ads” during the ‘90s. A Pepsi spokesperson “declined to confirm the spot, saying the company has yet to make a decision on which ads it will air during the game” (N.Y. POST, 1/26). SILVER SCREEN: In Long Beach, Tim Grobaty reported movie ads during the Super Bowl include Disney’s “The Pacifier,” Paramount’s “War of the Worlds” and “The Longest Yard,” Columbia Picture’s “Hitch” and Warner Bros.’ “Batman Begins,” “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory” and “The Dukes of Hazzard” (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 1/24). DAILY VARIETY’s John Dempsey reports Paramount will also advertise for “Sahara.” MGM will air a 30-second spot for “Be Cool,” the sequel to “Get Shorty” (DAILY VARIETY, 1/23). ADWEEK’s Karl Greenberg reports Cadillac will use the cast of “Be Cool” to help “promote its sponsorship of Super Bowl XXXIX and support sales” of the Cadillac V-Series. The effort centers on a national five-second short-film competition and the chance to attend a private screening of “Be Cool” with director F. Gary Gray. Cadillac will also launch CadillacUnder5.com on Super Bowl Sunday to support the competition (ADWEEK, 1/24 issue). CAR MAKERS: In Detroit, Nick Bunkley reported there are “at least six different car commercials running during the game.” Lincoln will tout its new Mark LT truck. Ford and Cadillac will each run 60-second spots. Honda will air two 30-second ads, and Volvo will also air a spot. Univ. of Detroit Mercy marketing professor Michael Bernacchi said there “has never been a Super Bowl with three automakers running at least 60 seconds of ads” each (DETROIT NEWS, 1/24). COUNTERTOPS: Houston-based countertop manufacturer Cosentino will air a 30-second spot featuring Mike Ditka, William Perry, Jim McMahon and Dennis Rodman. USA TODAY’s Michael McCarthy reports Cosentino spent $1M to produce the spot, which features the stars arguing about “which countertop color best expresses their personalities.” The commercial, via Houston-based Freed, will air during the first half (USA TODAY, 1/26).
HAMMERING IT HOME: BRANDWEEK’s Becky Ebenkamp reports Frito-Lay and Nationwide Insurance are both planning spots starring '90s rap star Hammer. Frito-Lay’s commercial, via Spike DDB, N.Y., will air nationally. Nationwide’s, via TM, Dallas, will only run in spot markets (BRANDWEEK, 1/24). GET THE NET: The GoDaddy.com ad, via Ad Store, N.Y., is “about a buxom young woman testifying before a Congressional committee when her wardrobe malfunctions — significantly less calamitously than” Janet Jackson’s (N.Y. TIMES, 1/26). CareerBuilder.com will air two 30-second spots, via Cramer-Krasselt, during the second and third quarters that parody “dissatisfying work experiences.” The company is supporting with a Web element (CareerBuilder.com). MOUSE TRAP: In Orlando, Susan Strother Clarke reports Disney, which has aired its “I’m going to Disney” Super Bowl post-game spot – which usually features the game MVP — every year since ’87, will not do so this year. Clarke wonders if the move “had anything to do with” last year’s wardrobe incident, or whether Fox “was demanding too high a price.” Disney spokesperson Craig Dezern said that the company is “focusing on the two big ad campaigns it already has under way,” including “Happiest Celebration on Earth” and “Magic Your Way.” Dezern added, “We’re not saying we won’t do this again” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 1/26). BEAN COUNTERS: In Boston, Greg Gatlin reports Nissan, Heineken and Microsoft have purchased ad time locally in the Boston market. Many advertisers expecting the Patriots to make the Super Bowl allowed WFXT-Fox “to ask for — and get — big bucks for local spots, even before” the Patriots advanced to the game. Station execs will not reveal exact prices, but indicated they are more than in ’02, when ad insiders estimated a price range of $130,000-250,000 for 30-second spots. WBZ-CBS charged $150,000-250,000 per spot last year. The Patriots played in and won both of those Super Bowls (BOSTON HERALD, 1/25). Escrito por fraja8 às 15h59[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Brady Crunch: Pats QB Files $2M Suit Against General Motors
Patriots QB Tom Brady on Monday sued GM for $2M in L.A. Superior Court for “allegedly using his likeness in an ad” after his contract with the company expired on January 1, 2004, according to the AP. Brady, who is also seeking punitive damages, claims he twice denied a request by GM “to use a print ad featuring his name and photograph in connection” with last year’s Super Bowl. But GM “placed the ad in The Boston Globe anyway,” and Brady claims that the ad also ran in Texas “and elsewhere in Massachusetts” (AP, 1/26). A call to Brady’s agent, Steve Dubin, was not returned, and GM declined to comment (BOSTON HERALD, 1/26). ONE AWKWARD MOMENT? GM’s Cadillac is a Super Bowl sponsor and is slated to give a new car to the MVP the Monday after the game. Brady is a two-time winner of the award, and last year was upset with Cadillac for late delivery of his vehicle. Brady is currently a 2-1 favorite to win his third Super Bowl MVP award (THE DAILY). Escrito por fraja8 às 15h59[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Bountiful Harvest: Nebraska Nears New Deal With adidas
The Univ. of Nebraska has reached an eight-year shoe and equipment agreement with adidas worth close to $23M in cash and products, ranking it “as one of the larger rights deals in NCAA Division I-A athletics,” according to Rich Kaipust of the Omaha WORLD-HERALD. adidas America Dir of College Properties Tim Haney called the deal “one of the top five” in the country. The contract would be the first all-inclusive deal for the school’s 23 athletic programs. The agreement through 2013 includes $600,000 more in cash and $500,000 more in products for the school than under its current adidas deal, which expires June 30. The contract is subject to approval by the Board of Regents Escrito por fraja8 às 15h58[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Kicking In: Nike, Others Buy Into Fox Soccer Channel
Nike has “already significantly increased its ad commitment” to Fox Soccer Channel since its announced rebranding from Fox Sports World, according to T.L. Stanley of AD AGE. Fox Soccer Channel launches February 7. Nike has sponsored Fox Sports World, and Wieden & Kennedy Dir of Broadcast Buying Tom Winner said that Nike “wants to support soccer and thinks a devoted channel will help build long-term interest with both boys and girls.” Winner: “There’s only been occasional soccer coverage on TV up to this point. This may help sustain interest as kids grow up.” Stanley reports that other advertisers already signing on with Fox Soccer Channel include adidas, British Airways and Goen Technologies, the parent company of TrimSpa. Carat Dir of National Broadcast Andy Donchin said, “I see this channel as a great opportunity. It’s not going to be ESPN overnight, but it has real potential.” Donchin predicts that many categories will “see the network as a must-buy, including those wanting to reach youngsters and the burgeoning Latino market” Escrito por fraja8 às 15h58[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] On The Spot: Visa Films Ad With Defending Nextel Cup Champ
NASCAR sponsor Visa yesterday in Concord, North Carolina, filmed an ad featuring NASCAR drivers Kurt Busch and Rusty Wallace, according to the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER’s Binyamin Appelbaum. While Visa’s advertising “usually aims to convince people that credit cards carrying the company’s brand are easy to use, secure and widely accepted,” its new campaign “boils the pitch to simple affinity.” Visa exec Tony Wells: “We want people to say, ‘I should use this card and keep using it because they do things I’m passionate about.’ It gives them a reason to keep it top of the wallet.” Appelbaum writes that the new spot features “several fans who have won a race weekend in a luxurious infield motor home by using a Visa card.” Busch, the defending Nextel Cup champion, “plays their bemused neighbor.” The ad will debut on Fox’ NASCAR coverage next month. Busch and Wallace later this season “will take turns meeting and greeting sweepstakes winners and taking them for a lap around that week’s racetrack” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/26). BUY IN: Best Buy will serve as associate sponsor on the Gene Haas-owned No. 0 Chevrolet, which begins its third full season of Nextel Cup competition this year with driver Mike Bliss and primary sponsorship from NetZero (Mult., 1/26). Escrito por fraja8 às 15h58[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Got Your Chips Cashed In? NBA-Licensed Poker Sets On Tap
All Pro Deal will produce NBA-licensed playing cards, featuring caricatures of NBA players, and a poker chip set with the NBA logo, according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. The cards and chips will sell for $10 and $129, respectively. While sales of chips alone last year grossed over $500M, Rovell wrote it is “not clear whether the NBA will be able to make a dent in the marketplace.” Meanwhile, Edward Looney, Exec Dir of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, said, “The sports leagues used to be the people that would fight like crazy to keep gambling as far away from their sport as they could. We don’t see many of them anymore. And if they want to do things like this, they can no longer say that they don’t want people to gamble on their action.” But NBA Dir of PR Matt Bourne said, “We’re responding to the market trends and how people are spending their leisure time” (ESPN.com, 1/24). ANTE UP: In this week’s SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, Terry Lefton notes the NBA-licensed poker products were displayed at last week’s Super Show in Orlando. Also, the World Poker Tour had a booth, and show officials “were impressed enough that they are planning a dedicated poker section” for ’06 Escrito por fraja8 às 15h57[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Fishing For A Complement: BASS Inks Cialis To Sponsorship
BASS has inked a one-year sponsorship deal with Lilly Icos’ ED drug Cialis, which receives an interactive presence at the majority of BASS events, including the Citgo Bassmaster Tournament Trail, Bassmaster Elite 50 Series and the Citgo Bassmaster Classic. Elements include signage and an interactive exhibition tent. Cialis will also have a presence on BASS’ TV, print and Internet platforms. Under the agreement, Cialis becomes presenting sponsor of ESPN2’s “Bassmaster University,” which airs Saturday morning as part of the network’s “Bass Saturday” (Cialis). Escrito por fraja8 às 15h57[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Out-Foxed: BCS’ Deal With Fox In ’07 Will Spread Out Games
The BCS’ new TV deal with Fox that begins in ’07 will feature bowl games “spread out over the first week in January, and only the Rose Bowl” –- which signed its own deal with ABC –- will maintain its traditional New Year’s Day slot, according to Mark Blaudschun of the BOSTON GLOBE. Also, the deal includes guaranteed money from Fox that is reportedly “down from what ABC had been paying per game, in some instances as much as” $1M. An official with a BCS game said, “What this is doing is giving us less money, worse dates, with no guarantees of getting even a top 10 team. It sounds like the Rose Bowl is running this show.” Blaudschun notes ’07 marks the first year in which one of the BCS bowls will host two games –- the traditional game plus the title game. That year, the game dates are listed as January 1, 2, 3, and January 8 for the title game in the Fiesta Bowl. But the “problem is obvious for a bowl such as the Orange, which ties in a week’s worth of activities around the New Year’s holiday.” The Orange Bowl traditionally has its parade on New Year’s Eve and its game the next night. The 2010 Orange Bowl will not be the title game and “could be as late as Jan. 5, which is a Monday and clearly at a time when the holiday season is over”
Buck Shots: Fox Analyst Profiled On HBO’s “Real Sports”
Fox Sports’ Joe Buck was profiled and interviewed by HBO’s Bernard Goldberg on last night’s edition of “Real Sports.” Buck said he would not report an MLB Cardinals player if he knew him to be using steroids. Buck: “I’m not in the position as the Cardinals announcer to break stories. I know things that are going on in the front office. I know guys that are about to be released. ... I can’t solve the steroid issue with my little headset on calling the play-by-play. That’s not my job. ... I’m not a journalist.” But Buck has been criticized for how he handled Vikings WR Randy Moss’ “moon” dance in a playoff game against the Packers. At the time, Buck called Moss’ gesture “disgusting.” Buck: “Regardless of anything else that Fox has on the air, anything I’ve ever said before, my job is to react to that specific act done by Randy Moss. That was the way I reacted and that’s the way I’ll react the next time something like that, that I would consider vulgar, is done.” Meanwhile, Goldberg said of Buck’s ads for Budweiser, “The Leon commercials are not only funny, I think there’s a message there and it’s a message about some of today’s greedy athletes.” Buck: “That’s why it works so well, because I think that’s the perception of a lot of professional athletes; that it’s just all about them — forget the team, how much are you going to pay me to do it, and if it’s not enough, forget you — and that’s why it works” (HBO, 1/25). Escrito por fraja8 às 15h57[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Teams Waiting For GPWC Proposal Before Signing F1 Deals
Ferrari was “left isolated yesterday” as the only F1 team to have signed F1 Management Chair Bernie Ecclestone’s Concorde Agreement, as the remaining nine teams “decided not to rush into a new agreement,” according to Alan Henry of the Manchester GUARDIAN. The remaining teams “are determined to wait until next month to see what counter-proposals will be offered” by the Grand Prix World Championship, the group threatening to create a rival F1 series. Meanwhile, the nine teams asked FIA to postpone a meeting scheduled for Friday “to discuss changes to the technical regulations and cost-cutting measures” for ‘08. The letter stated, “We anticipate that we will be in a position to bring our collective proposals to the FIA by mid-season, allowing sufficient time to consult all parties and reach an appropriate conclusion by the end of the year.” But FIA President Max Mosley denied the request, and an FIA spokesperson said, “The meeting will go ahead. Our objective is to ensure that all the teams have an opportunity to express their opinions in addition to the four teams – Ferrari, BAR, Renault and Williams – who have already submitted their (individual) proposals” Escrito por fraja8 às 15h56[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Go To The Goal: Hunter Says New CBA Could Come Soon
NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter said that the labor issues between the NBA and the union “might be resolved by next month’s All-Star Game,” according to Dwain Price of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. Hunter “believes the NBA will start on time next season” even if the framework for a new CBA is not in place by All-Star Weekend. Hunter said, “The owners are interested in trying to reach an accord by the All-Star break. Whether that’s doable or not is yet to be seen, but we are having serious discussions and talks.” Price notes several NBA owners “have an interest in NHL teams, though the exact number is not clear.” Hunter: “These are the same individuals who signed off on locking out the ice hockey players. Who knows? They may be emboldened by the position that they’ve taken there and decide that what they need to do is to apply the same kind of leverage and pressure against our players” Escrito por fraja8 às 15h55[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Marlins Ink Carlos Delgado To Richest Deal In Team History
The Marlins have signed 1B Carlos Delgado to the richest contract in franchise history, a four-year, $52M deal with an option for a fifth year that could make the package worth $64M (Mult., 1/26). In Miami, Clark Spencer writes the move is “a stunning coup for a revenue-challenged organization” that is asking the Florida Legislature for $60M toward a new ballpark. Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria said that he has “no intentions at present of paring the roster to free payroll and room for Delgado’s contract.” Loria: “I’m committed to the concept of [MLB] in South Florida and putting together a winning team” (MIAMI HERALD, 1/26). Marlins 3B Mike Lowell said the signing of Delgado “sends a message that we’re here to win. I don’t think you lock up a guy like him and think we’re just going to tread water. Our upper management has been proactive and I think their sights are set on the stadium. I think the plan is to have a stadium with Delgado still on the team” (PALM BEACH POST, 1/26). REAX: In Miami, Greg Cote writes the Marlins signing Delgado “isn’t as seismic as Shaq’s arrival or as flat-out noisy as the [Dolphins] getting [Randy] Moss would be. But it’s close.” Loria “looks like a man committed to winning. It is time for state government ... to show some commitment in return, and give the Marlins the hand they need to get this new baseball stadium built. The club, city of Miami and Miami-Dade County are doing their share. It is the state ... that is imperiling the whole process” (MIAMI HERALD, 1/26). In Ft. Lauderdale, Juan Rodriguez writes, “Loria possesses sufficient baseball savvy to realize what [Delgado] would do in the middle of the Marlins’ batting order. Tuesday, he exercised the financial tenacity it required to illustrate that point” (SUN-SENTINEL, 1/26). HERE’S JOHNNY: Padres Chair John Moores, on free agent signings this offseason: “I’m appalled. I am loath to criticize some of my fellow geniuses, and not all of the clubs participated in the orgy. But some of the guys are going to rue the day they paid out so much money in long-term contracts. It isn’t the money so much as the long-term deals. I guess some of these guys got that ESPN Radio money and lost their minds. It’s amazing to me how some owners and players think the players actually get better during the offseason. Some of these guys are lucky to be playing baseball, let alone signing million-dollar contracts” (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/26).
TIMING IS EVERYTHING: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, who has spoken with Marlins execs recently, said, “I’m certainly not going to advocate the building of a stadium until we have a team.” But Triple-A PCL Las Vegas 51s President Don Logan argues that there is a “‘need to have a plan in place’ so Las Vegas is prepared when” a team comes calling. Logan said that building a Triple-A stadium “jump-starts the process.” In Las Vegas, Matt Youmans cites a source as saying that the D’Rays are “the odds-on favorite to land in Las Vegas” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 1/26). Escrito por fraja8 às 15h55[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Source: Red McCombs Raises Price Tag On Vikings To $650M
Vikings Owner Red McCombs has raised his asking price for the club from $600M to $650M or more, according to a team source cited by Kahn, Jensen & Walters of the ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS. McCombs believes increasing NFL TV revenues “make his team more valuable, new stadium or not.” The Vikings’ share of TV revenues was $84M this season, and that number “likely will rise above $100[M] in 2006, when a new TV contract takes effect” (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 1/26). DEALING WITH FOWLER: In Minneapolis, Kevin Seifert cites a source as saying that most of the Vikings’ football-related decisions “have been put on hold until next month,” a move “partially attributable” to McCombs’ attempt to sell the team to Reggie Fowler. The exact length of Fowler’s exclusive negotiating window with McCombs is unclear, but sources said that it “is much shorter than original reports of 60 days.” While football operations “will proceed deliberately, the team’s business side is continuing to function normally.” Vikings VP/Sales & Marketing Steve LaCroix: “We’re continuing to wrap up the 2004 season with our sponsors and evaluations leading into 2005. Season ticket invoices are going out in the next week to 10 days. It’s business as usual here” (STAR TRIBUNE, 1/26).
Redskins Again Hold The Line On General Admission Seats
The Redskins will not raise general admission ticket prices at FedEx Field for next season, marking the fourth year in a row there has been no increase. The price range remains $44-79 per game. The Redskins have been sold out since ’96, and the team’s waiting list for tickets includes over 105,000 names (Redskins). Sportscorp President Marc Ganis: “It’s unusual that they would hold the line for four straight years. Most teams raise prices annually or every other year.” During Redskins Owner Dan Snyder’s “first few years of ownership” after buying the team in ’99, average prices for non-luxury seats increased 29%, parking fees “doubled and prices for many concession items jumped substantially.” Most club seats and luxury boxes “also more than doubled in price.” In DC, Jody Foldesy notes the Redskins ranked second in the NFL this season with an average ticket price of $68.12, trailing only the Patriots
Out In Left Field: Nationals Taking Heat From Ticket Holders
The Nationals have received “scores of phone calls” from people dissatisfied with their seat locations since sending invoices and locations to fans who placed deposits on season tickets, according to Thomas Heath of the WASHINGTON POST. Of the 17,830 season tickets requested, over 10,000 were for infield box seats, of which there are only 5,000 total. The remaining fans “had to be pushed back to the infield box terrace and infield box baseline sections, both of which are in the lower deck but are farther from the field.” Kevin Uhlich, special assistant to Nationals President Tony Tavares, said, “It wasn’t a mix-up or a misfire. It was purely a case of supply and demand.” Heath notes all 900 diamond box seats behind home plate “went to customers on the waiting lists,” and were the first to sell out. But sources said that up to 1,000 of the seats “closest to the field went to government, corporate and other VIPs.” Tavares: “This is [DC], and I had to take care of certain people. ... But this is as fair a process as you will find anywhere in baseball” (WASHINGTON POST, 1/26).
NOT GOING YARD: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Don Muret reports the DC Sports & Entertainment Commission in a design proposal for the Nationals’ new ballpark said the goal “should not be a duplication of other recently built ballfields in the country, but should take the most successful elements of these new facilities and create architecture for Washington that is distinctive and of this time.” 360 Architecture Senior Principal Bill Johnson, whose firm has been consulting with DC for the last two years on a ballpark, said, “They don’t want the next Camden Yards” Escrito por fraja8 às 15h54[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Grounded: ATA Airlines Gives Up Suite At Conseco Fieldhouse
ATA Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy protection in October, has “given up its $196,400-a-year luxury suite at Conseco Fieldhouse,” which it has leased since the arena opened in ’99, according to Ted Evanoff of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. ATA owes the Pacers over $800,000, including unpaid suite fees, according to a report the club filed in bankruptcy court. Pacers Basketball Corp. attorney Henry Efroymson said, “ATA and the Pacers have tried to work together to make sure nothing the Pacers do would harm ATA’s long-term prospects for a successful reorganization.” Evanoff notes ATA paid an estimated $1M to sign on as one of Conseco Fieldhouse’s original seven building sponsors along with Bank One, Emmis Communications, The Indianapolis Star and News, Marsh Supermarkets, Miller Brewing and Pepsi-Cola. Conseco, which has also since gone bankrupt, inked a 20-year, $40M deal for the naming rights to the arena
Facility Notes
In Newark, George Jordan reports the Devils selected Morris Adjmi Architects to design the exterior of the new 18,000-seat arena in Newark, while KUD Int’l was chosen to oversee construction. The companies join HOK Sport + Venue + Event, which is designing the interior (STAR-LEDGER, 1/26)....Greg Macdonald, GM of Edmonton’s new Champ Car race, which will replace the Molson Indy Vancouver, said the event has sold 80 suites and is “only three or four away from being sold out at $40,000 a suite. That’s almost triple what Vancouver took in all year.” Macdonald noted 48,000 grandstand seats have also been sold. The race is signed up for five years, with the inaugural event taking place July 15-17 (EDMONTON SUN, 1/26)....In Houston, John Lopez reports Reliant Stadium will host the CONCACAF Gold Cup finals in July (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/26). In Seattle, Jose Miguel Romero reports Qwest Field will host first-round play. All six sites will be announced today (SEATTLE TIMES, 1/26). Escrito por fraja8 às 15h50[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] Names In The News
Real estate magnate MALIN BURNHAM has “begun exploring the possibility of bringing the 2016 Summer Olympics to San Diego and Tijuana.” Burnham formed a binational organizing committee, co-chaired by Tijuana business exec GASTON LUKEN and himself, to “determine the feasibility of submitting a bid” to host the Games. The committee consists of five members each from the U.S. and Mexico (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/26). SING IT LOUD & PROUD: Members of all four U.S. SERVICE ACADEMIES – ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE and the COAST GUARD — will perform the national anthem prior to Super Bowl XXXIX, marking the first time such a performance will occur since PRESIDENT NIXON’s inauguration in ‘73. WORLD WAR II VETERANS will also be honored during the pregame show (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 1/26).
FAME & FORTUNE: Daytona Beach has “started lobbying for a plan that could lead” to Florida lawmakers contributing as much as $75M to help bring a NASCAR HOF to Volusia County. Supporters expect competing cities Charlotte, Atlanta and K.C. to “offer extensive financial packages to try to lure the hall.” Under the plan in Daytona Beach, the state would provide as much as $3M a year for 25 years, if the HOF “would generate at least that much in sales taxes” (Jim Saunders, Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 1/26). CAR TALK: In Dallas, Steve Davis reports former Cowboys QB & Fox Sports NFL analyst TROY AIKMAN “may soon assume ownership” of ALAN LUKEHART’s LEADERSHIP FORD in Dallas and BIG COUNTRY DODGE near Abilene. The dealerships will be renamed Troy Aikman Ford and Troy Aikman Dodge, respectively. Aikman indicated that the paperwork “should be complete within the next week or so” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/26).
Former Presidents To Appeal For Tsunami Relief At Super Bowl
Former presidents GEORGE BUSH and BILL CLINTON will be at Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville February 6, and will appear live on Fox’ pre-game show around 5:30pm ET, as part of a continuing effort to raise money for victims of the recent tsunami in Asia and Africa. The pair of ex-presidents filmed a PSA earlier this month asking for contributions. NFL Dir of Corporate Communications BRIAN MCCARTHY said the NFL has already raised $4M for tsunami relief, including a $1M contribution from the league, through efforts in and around the game. Eagles QB DONOVAN MCNABB and Colts QB PEYTON MANNING also recently filmed a spot appealing for tsunami relief funds, which has aired during NFL playoff telecasts. Escrito por fraja8 às 15h49[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] NCAA Men's Basketball Ratings: ESPN Sees Boost
As the college basketball season hovers around the halfway mark, the following chart presents average ratings for the ’04-05 regular season compared with the networks’ broadcasts through the same period last year. Listed below are average ratings for games on ABC through January 22, on ESPN and ESPN2 through January 20 and on CBS through January 16 (THE DAILY).
Escrito por fraja8 às 15h48[ ] [ envie esta mensagem ] [ link ] "Si se le asiste bien, se hinchará a meter goles"
Ayer, Tocalli atendió a MD desde Colombia, donde está disputando con la selección albiceleste que lidera el azulgrana Leo Messi el Campeonato Suramericano sub-20. El técnico argentino elogió a Maxi López (20 años, 1,88 m. de estatura), de quien destacó su potencia, su magnífica habilidad para desmarcarse y el gran futuro que tiene por delante. Y más si al lado tiene asistentes de lujo como Xavi, Deco, Ronaldinho y, desde el pasado lunes, Albertini. Hugo Tocalli hizo una exhaustiva radiografía del 'tanque' que ha fichado el Barça: “Maxi es un delantero potente, de zancada larga, muy fuerte, que toca el balón con las dos piernas y que le pega muy fuerte a la bola. No es un punta de mucha habilidad. Bueno, mejor dicho no es que no sea hábil, pero ésta no es su mejor característica. Es un jugador más de potencia y fuerza que de técnica”. El técnico argentino, ayudante de José Pekerman en la selección absoluta, destaca que López “es un jugador que siempre busca el área, que hace bastantes goles y que tiene ante sí un futuro muy prometedor”. Aunque físicamente sean jugadores diametralmente opuestos, la comparación con otro azulgrana, Saviola, es obligada. Tocalli tiene muy claro qué los diferencia: “Saviola es más un goleador nato que Maxi López. Javier es más oportunista, de esos jugadores que cazan rebotes, mientras que Maxi es más un delantero que arrastra a los marcadores, que abre huecos y que incluso puede caer a un costado y romper a los defensas más por potencia y zancada que por habilidad”.
No obstante, Hugo Tocalli le ve al nuevo delantero del Barça un potencial enorme que puede explotar junto a sus nuevos compañeros: “Maxi es un delantero que hace muy bien su trabajo. Sabe que lo que puede hacer y ejecuta de maravilla las acciones que mejor se le dan. Es un futbolista que marca muy bien los pases que tienen que darle sus compañeros. Es potente y rápido y eso hace que sus desmarques y movimientos en diagonal sean peligrosísimos. Si tiene a su lado compañeros que sepan entender sus movimientos, puede hartarse de meter goles. Y si algo tiene este Barcelona son jug | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40% 
General Mills yesterday unveiled Spurs F Tim Duncan’s new Wheaties box during halftime of the Kings-Spurs game. Duncan’s only previous Wheaties appearance was as part of the ’03 Spurs NBA championship package (General Mills).
Pasó los 'tests' médicos con nota y sorprendió por una condición física excepcional
Maxi López evidenció una condición física y potencia excepcionales en las pruebas médicas, superadas ayer con nota, y salvo imprevistos será presentado hoy a mediodía como nuevo jugador azulgrana, con la incógnita de si se desplazará con el equipo a Sevilla aunque sea para hacer piña.
