2-8-10

Transcription

2-8-10

SportsBusiness Daily: Monday, February 8, 2010
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=print...
Monday, February 8, 2010
Satisfy My Soul (#1)
Snickers wins the night among Super Bowl
advertisers, topping USA TODAY ad meter, while
Google makes a splash with last-minute spot. (#2)
Funny Business (#4)
Surprise Letterman/Leno promo steals Super
Bowl buzz from Focus on the Family, whose spot
leaves viewers wondering, "Is that it?" (#3)
Keep Your Eye On The Ball (#10)
CBS plays it straight and delivers a solid if not
spectacular broadcast; some think the net's
pregame is far too sponsor-heavy. (#11)
Talking 'Bout My Generation (#23)
The Who plays an entertaining 14-minute set,
but is it time for some young blood at halftime?
Summer Brees
Saints QB could be privy to a whole slew of
endorsements after MVP performance. (#5)
Attacking In Transition (#17)
NBA's initial CBA proposal to the union includes
reduced salaries, elements of a hard salary cap.
This Little Light Of Mine (#18)
Vinik committed to turning around Lightning
after reportedly buying team for about $110M.
Like A Good Neighbor
Security for Vancouver Olympics has become a
"binational responsibility" for U.S., Canada. (#25)
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Vol. XVI -- No. 101
Saints Alive!
It is hard to think of a
more successful season in
recent memory than the
one the NFL just closed
the books on. And they
could not have asked for a
better ending, filled with
compelling storylines and
down-to-the-wire
excitement. The Super
Bowl continues the
groundswell of
momentum the league
has built all year, with the
Saints’ 31-17 win over the Saints' Win Draws 46.4
Overnight Nielsen Rating
Colts earning an
overnight Nielsen rating of 46.4/68, the highest
Super Bowl overnight in 23 years. The number is up
10% from last year’s 42.1/65 overnight, and now the
focus will be on whether the game will exceed 100
million viewers, a Super Bowl record (#10). But if
you were in Miami over the last few days, all the
positives about the league’s season were tempered
by the labor negotiations, as the undercurrent of
tension between the NFL and the NFLPA was clearly
evident in the messages coming from the respective
press conferences last week. One positive is that the
two sides meet over the weekend and the tenor of
the discussion is described as productive (#13).
2/8/10 2:12 PM
iHoops CEO Kevin Weiberg heading back to
campus, as he will become Deputy Commissioner,
COO of Pac 10.
"For some reason, advertisers feel on this day
they got to go for the laugh, even if it's a
stupid ad."
-- Deutsch Inc Chair & CEO Donny Deutsch,
saying the general theme of Super Bowl XLIV
ads was "men acting stupid"
("Today," NBC, 2/8). (#1)
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2/8/10 2:12 PM
SPONSORSHIPS, ADVERTISING & MARKETING
1. SUPER BOWL ADS: WHITE, VIGODA PROPEL SNICKERS TO AD METER PRIZE
2. SUPER BOWL ADS: GOOGLE MAKES SPLASH WITH FIRST SUPER BOWL SPOT
3. SUPER BOWL ADS: FOCUS ON THE FAMILY SPOT FALLS SHORT OF HYPE
4. SUPER BOWL ADS: LENO'S APPEARANCE WITH LETTERMAN SCORES BIG
5. BREES EXPECTED TO CASH IN FROM SUPER BOWL MVP PERFORMANCE
6. IS DANICA PUSHING THE EDGE WITH "SOMEWHAT SALACIOUS" MARKETING?
7. CROWN ROYAL EXPANDS SPONSORSHIP OF ROUSH FENWAY, MATT KENSETH
8. JIMMY JOHNSON INKS DEAL WITH MALE ENHANCEMENT BRAND EXTENZE
9. MARKETPLACE ROUNDUP
SPORTS MEDIA
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2/8/10 2:12 PM
10. CBS EARNS HIGHEST OVERNIGHT SUPER BOWL RATING SINCE '87
11. CBS' SUPER BOWL XLIV PREGAME SHOW, SEGMENTS EARN MIXED REVIEWS
12. NFL NETWORK INKS ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH AF1 TO BROADCAST GAMES
LEAGUES & GOVERNING BODIES
13. STATE OF THE NFL: LABOR STRIFE DOMINATES GOODELL'S ADDRESS
14. STATE OF THE NFL: HURDLES STILL EXIST BEFORE RETURN TO L.A. AREA
15. STATE OF THE NFL: GOODELL DISCUSSES MORE REGULAR-SEASON GAMES
16. STATE OF THE NFL: PLAYING FUTURE SUPER BOWL IN N.Y. GAINS STEAM
17. NBA OWNERS PUSH FOR SOME ELEMENTS OF HARD CAP, REDUCED SALARIES
FRANCHISES
18. JEFF VINIK'S DEAL FOR LIGHTNING REPORTEDLY WORTH ABOUT $110M
19. BETTMAN URGES THRASHERS TO STRAIGHTEN OUT OWNERSHIP SITUATION
20. FRANCHISE NOTES
FACILITIES & VENUES
21. CACTUS LEAGUE TEAMS OPPOSE LEGISLATION FOR CUBS' SPRING TRAINING
22. FACILITY NOTES
EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS
23. WHO ARE YOU? ROCK BAND’S PERFORMANCE GENERATES MIXED REVIEWS
24. PARTY IN THE MIA: ATHLETES, CELEBS WRAP UP SUPER BOWL PARTIES
OLYMPICS
25. U.S., CANADA TEAMING UP ON SECURITY FOR VANCOUVER OLYMPICS
26. OLYMPIC NOTES: ATHLETES CAN USE SOCIAL NETWORK SITES AFTER ALL
SPORTS INDUSTRIALISTS
27. EXECUTIVE TRANSACTIONS
28. NAMES IN THE NEWS
THE BACK OF THE BOOK
29. OVERNIGHT NIELSEN RATINGS FROM WEEKEND SPORTS TELECASTS
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
30. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
31. SBJ IN-DEPTH: FORTY UNDER 40
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2/8/10 2:12 PM
1. SUPER BOWL ADS: WHITE, VIGODA PROPEL SNICKERS TO AD METER PRIZE
Snickers last night during CBS'
coverage of Super Bowl XLIV "walked
off with the Super Bowl's best-liked
commercial in USA Today's Ad Meter ...
three years after getting hammered by
gay activists for what many felt was an
anti-gay Super Bowl commercial,"
according to Bruce Horovitz of USA
TODAY. The winning Snickers spot
"featured octogenarian actors Betty
White and Abe Vigoda in a roughand-tumble football game that
ultimately gets both of them tossed on
Watch The Snickers Spot
their fannies." The win marks the "first
time Snickers' maker, Mars, has won Ad Meter, replacing last year's winner Doritos,
which took second this year with an ad about a dog with an electronic bark collar who
gets revenge on a nasty dude." Anheuser-Busch, which has won the Ad Meter 10 times,
"finished with two ads in the top five." Meanwhile, Horovitz notes it was a "big night for
undies lovers." Two underwear ads for Dockers and CareerBuilder "ran back-to-back -essentially putting all the drawers in one drawer." Coca-Cola later "followed up with a
sleepwalker crossing the African savanna for a Coke in his, you guessed it, underpants"
(USA TODAY, 2/8).
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2/8/10 2:12 PM
USA TODAY'S SUPER BOWL AD METER: TOP FIVE ADS
ADVERTISER
DESCRIPTION
LENGTH QUARTER SCORE
Snickers
Betty White, Abe Vigoda play in casual
football game
:30
1st
8.68
Doritos
Dog with bark collar rules
:30
1st
8.27
Bud Light
Man builds house out of beer cans
:30
1st
7.91
Budweiser
Clydesdale's friend
:60
4th
7.82
Coca-Cola
Sleepwalker going through rough
terrain gets cold Coke
:60
3rd
7.36
USA TODAY'S SUPER BOWL AD METER: BOTTOM FIVE ADS
Select 55
(Budweiser)
World's lightest beer: 55 calories
:15
3rd
4.67
Hyundai Sonata
Sonata is painted and compared with
Mozart, Schubert sonatas
:30
1st
4.65
Scotts
Promotion for Roundup weed killer
:15
3rd
4.46
Go Daddy
Danica Patrick gets a massage
:30
1st
4.20
Skechers
Second airing of Shape-Ups shoe
:15
4th
3.77
EYE CANDY: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Suzanne Vranica writes the ads, "in
usual Super Bowl fashion, featured a "parade of celebrities." But Snickers' ad featuring
White and Vigoda "seemed to draw the most enthusiastic response." Kirshenbaum Bond
Senecal + Partners Group Creative Dir Joseph Mazzaferro: "Great use of geriatric talent"
(WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/8). In St. Petersburg, Tom Jones wrote the "best
commercial of the Super Bowl was, hands down, the Snickers ad." Jones: "Any
commercial that has White saying, 'That's not what your girlfriend said' is an instant
classic in my book" (TAMPABAY.com, 2/7). SPORTINGNEWS.com's Dan Levy wrote,
"Betty White, one of the funniest women in the history of television, covered in mud and
making jokes about another guy's girlfriend? That's advertising gold on its own, but when
you add in Abe Vigoda getting sacked, you win the day. Color me satisfied, Snickers"
(SPORTINGNEWS.com, 2/7). FOXSPORTS.com's John Galinsky: "Any commercial with
Betty White and Abe Vigoda is a winner in our book no matter what it's about"
(FOXSPORTS.com, 2/7). In Detroit, Mekeisha Madden Toby writes Snickers "had one of
the best commercials" thanks to the "comedic timing" of the 88-year-old White
(DETROIT NEWS, 2/8). Fox Business' Connell McShane said the Snickers ad "was one of
the best commercials ever. It was great" ("Fox Business Morning," Fox Business, 2/8).
Genuine Interactives Chief Creative Officer Chris Pape said that the Snickers ad worked
"because it was so unexpected and funny" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/8).
LEAP YEAR: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Vranica writes the ads in general
"didn't live up to the hype preceding the game." Some industry execs "blamed the
absence of perennial fan favorites," such as Pepsi and FedEx, and also "pointed to the
unusually large number of first-time Super Bowl advertisers." The execs said that
companies new to the game "typically don't have the large production budgets to go all
out, and are less apt to strike the right chord" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/8). In Ft.
Worth, Robert Philpot writes most of the ads "don't seem likely to generate much watercooler talk today." However, some exceptions "could include the Kia Sorrento ad in which
some retro toys in the back seat fantasize that they're out for a night in Vegas; Boost
Mobile's 'Shuffle' ad, a takeoff on the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl Shuffle that proves
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that former Bears QB Jim McMahon is still a lousy rapper; and an elaborate Coca-Cola ad
featuring the entire cast" of Fox' "The Simpsons" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 2/8).
In San Diego, Karla Peterson writes, "So many ads, so few memories. That's what
yesterday's parade of high-priced, hype-fueled Super Bowl commercials added up to"
(SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/8). MARKETING DAILY's Sarah Mahoney writes
many of the ads "were mostly forgettable" (MARKETING DAILY, 2/8 issue). In S.F.,
Peter Hartlaub wrote, "I'm thinking that overall this was an above average year for ads.
Still, I can't think of one that's going to be remembered 10 years from now"
(SFGATE.com, 2/7).
MALE HUMOR: In DC, Tom
Shales writes an "oddly recurring
theme had to do with men asserting
their masculinity, or attempting to
assert it, as well as the perpetual male
fear of emasculation." In an ad for a
"very portable television called FloTV, a
man was seen being dragged through a
torturous shopping trip by his
girlfriend while sportscaster Jim Nantz
ridiculed him." Also, men in their
underwear "kept popping up"
(WASHINGTON POST, 2/8). Deutsch
Watch The Dockers Spot
Inc. Chair & CEO Donny Deutsch said
the overall theme of the night was the "10 ads with guys in their underwear." Deutsch: "It
was men acting stupid. For some reason, this was the year like, 'Let's show the American
male at his stupidest, acting goofy.' ... I don't know what it was in our society that this
year, let's knock the guys" ("Today," NBC, 2/8). In S.F., Scott Ostler writes, "Was there a
restriction placed on Super Bowl TV commercials, an FCC ruling that every ad had to
feature doughy, flabby dudes in their underpants?" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/8). But in
Denver, Joanne Ostrow writes the "tone of the Super Bowl's advertising campaigns
overall was remarkably civil and not nearly as crass as in recent memory." Nothing was
"as revolting as the gross-out, bodily function ads of years past." A "postmodern type of
masculinity -- moisturizer for men who are 'comfortable in their skin' -- topped them all
when it comes to redefining machismo." Ostrow: "Put these ruminations on guys and
guyhood together, and you have evidence that the American male has turned a corner"
(DENVER POST, 2/8).
GET IN THE GAME, AGAIN: In N.Y., Stuart Elliott noted there had been
"speculation that additional commercials would turn up in the game because of the
strong demand among advertisers for time during this Super Bowl." A-B "added a spot in
the fourth quarter, for Bud Light, bringing its total for the game to nine." Hyundai also
"added a spot in the fourth quarter, running a commercial for the Hyundai Sonata that
had appeared during the pre-game show." ETrade "bought an additional spot that was
originally not in its plans, also in the fourth quarter" (NYTIMES.com, 2/7).
2. SUPER BOWL ADS: GOOGLE MAKES SPLASH WITH FIRST SUPER BOWL SPOT
Google's "aversion to advertising its
search engine on TV ended with a bang on
Sunday night as the company paid an
estimated" $5M for a third quarter spot
during CBS' coverage of Super Bowl XLIV,
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Watch The Google Spot
2/8/10 2:12 PM
according to Bobbie Johnson of the Manchester GUARDIAN. The ad marks the "biggest
venture into mainstream advertising for a company that has become notorious growing
almost exclusively through word of mouth and online exposure" (Manchester
GUARDIAN, 2/8). DAILY VARIETY's Brian Lowry wrote, "The top prize in my view goes
to Google, whose second-half ad traced the entire arc of a romance using search
questions. Brilliant in terms of both pushing the product and using it to tell a story -- one
of those little cinematic gems" (VARIETY.com, 2/7). In San Diego, Karla Peterson writes,
"Less was more in the elegant Google ad showing a search that started with how to
impress French women and ended with how to assemble a crib. Sweet, funny and a true
reflection of how life works and how Google helps. It's a keeper" (SAN DIEGO UNIONTRIBUNE, 2/8). USA Today's Laura Petrecca noted the Google ad "didn’t rank very high"
on the newspaper's annual Ad Meter. Petrecca: "One of the reasons for that is that it
doesn't really stand out from the clutter when you're watching a Super Bowl game."
However, the ad "made a big splash on the Internet because this is one of Google's
biggest ad promotions ever, so people were all buzzing about online all weekend" ("The
Early Show," CBS, 2/8).
SMART APPROACH: Deutsch Inc. Chair & CEO Donny Deutsch said the Google ad
was "simple, smart and elegant." Deutsch: "This is an advertiser saying, 'This is who we
are, we're not going to behave differently on the Super Bowl.' You go, 'This is why I use
Google.' This was a brilliant piece of advertising." NBC's Meredith Vieira: "You remember
that it is Google. Some of these ads you can't remember afterwards what it's for." Deutsch
said the Google ad assumes "intelligence on its viewers' behalf, and I wish more
advertisers would do that" ("Today," NBC, 2/8). In California, Chuck Barney writes
Google's "beautifully rendered, text-only spot about a love story that blooms in Paris was
a case of simple, yet elegant, perfection." Barney: "C'est magnifique" (CONTRA COSTA
TIMES, 2/8). Albuquerque-based McKee Wallwork Cleveland President Steve McKee
ranked Google's ad as the best of the night. McKee: "I liked that it shows that the best
ideas aren't necessarily tied to budget" (MARKETING DAILY, 2/8 issue).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF THE
NIGHT: In Dallas, Tom Maurstad
writes nostalgia is "essential to any
sports ritual, so McDonald's smartly
reprises its classic 1993 'nothing but
net' ad starring Larry Bird and Michael
Jordan." Cavaliers F LeBron James and
Magic C Dwight Howard starred
instead of Bird and Jordan,
with Howard telling James "no jump
shots, all flat-footed dunks." Maurstad:
"Nice closing with Larry Bird. Dwight
asks, 'Who's that?' LeBron shrugs and
says, 'I don't know.' Swish" (DALLAS
Watch The McDonald's Spot
MORNING NEWS, 2/8). In a special to
ESPN.com, Jerry Greene wrote the "first-half victor may have been Doritos' awardwinning amateur effort showing man's best friend getting karmic revenge by placing his
shock collar on the dude that has been teasing him with a bag of chips." It "certainly beat
the tasteless spot of a man stuffing his face while in a coffin" (ESPN.com, 2/7). In N.Y.,
Stuart Elliott writes the "best among the eight commercials for four beer brands were the
Budweiser spot that brought back the Clydesdales and a clever Bud Light commercial,
reminiscent of the 'Whassup?' phone freaks, in which guys emulated the Auto-Tuned
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voice of the rapper T-Pain" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/8). AD AGE’s Bob Garfield awarded 3 ½
stars to Audi and FloTV. Audi’s “Green Police, overzealously tracking your carbon
footprint” was “very funny, for all the obvious reasons.” FloTV’s ad was “yet another take
on being emasculated by the ol’ ball-and-chain,” but it was a “very funny one, set in
women’s-wear hell” (ADAGE.com, 2/7). Villanova Univ. marketing professor Charles
Taylor said that Bridgestone's ad "featuring men carrying a whale in the back of their
truck, and another by Dove launching its new men's skin-care line," were "winners."
Taylor said that the spots score because they "manage to entertain while telling people
about the brands" (AP, 2/7).
HITTING THE SPOT: In S.F., Peter Hartlaub wrote he "greatly enjoyed the
Volkswagen 'punch dub' ad." Hartlaub: "Lots of reliable humor in there, including Amish
violence jokes and obligatory Stevie Wonder blind guy humor" (SFGATE.com, 2/7). The
WALL STREET JOURNAL's Suzanne Vranica writes the "best-performing rookie award
went to TruTV, a Time Warner cable channel that ran an ad with a Groundhog Day
theme showing a tiny Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers being pulled from
Punxsutawney Phil's burrow" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/8).
BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR: In N.Y., David Hinckley writes, "Too many of the
ads felt a little too familiar -- sometimes because they used the same joke as the spot right
before." The "general lack of spark was reflected by the bizarre repetition of several comic
themes," as a CareerBuilder spot and a Dockers spot, which ran back-to-back, "both
worked from the idea of men not wearing pants." Too many of the ads "just missed the
mark, like having a very large Charles Barkley walk across the street plugging fast food."
Meanwhile, the ETrade baby is "aging before our eyes" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/8). In
Detroit, Julie Hinds wrote, "As much as we love the talking baby from E-Trade, we were
hoping for something better than a scenario where the boy baby tries to placate a jealous
girl baby." Hinds labeled the ETrade ad as the "least endearing returning favorite"
(FREEP.com, 2/7). In Chicago, Steve Johnson writes the soda companies "fizzled."
Coca-Cola "spent a lot of money to serve up only OK spots: We know the great 'Simpsons'
is willing to sell itself, Coke, but we blame you for rubbing our faces in it." And "whatever
the folks at Dr Pepper were drinking when they conceived that costly mess featuring Kiss,
a has-been band even in its heyday, it is not a formula that the company should rush to
bottle" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/8). The N.Y. TIMES' Elliott notes Diamond Foods
"stuffed a pair of products into a single 30-second spot," featuring its Pop-Secret and
Emerald Nuts brands. But Elliott writes "another 30 seconds, even 15, could have made
the joke ... more memorable" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/8)
NO BOOST FOR BRAND: In
Milwaukee, Duane Dudek writes the
"worst ads were more pointless than
tasteless, including the Doritos series ...
as well as the leering ads for domain
registry Go Daddy, and the Chicago
Bears reprising the Super Bowl Shuffle
for Boost Mobile." The former Bears
players "looked only slightly more spry
than the halftime performers The Who"
(MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL,
2/8). AD AGE's Garfield gave the Boost
Watch The Boost Mobile Spot
Mobile ad just one star, and he wrote,
“Remember the ‘Super Bowl Shuffle,’ a terrible yet adorable rap by the 1985 champion
Bears? Well, here’s the pitiful, majorly unadorable geriatric version, brought to you for
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some inexplicable reason by the barely mentioned Boost Mobile. Abysmal” (ADAGE.com,
2/7). Villanova's Taylor said that the Boost Mobile ad "didn't work because it depended
too heavily on the 1985 Chicago Bears' 'Super Bowl Shuffle,' a reference that could be too
old for the brand's buyers" (AP, 2/7). In Pittsburgh, Rob Owen writes Boost Mobile's ad
featured the "worst use of a novelty tune." Owen: "Unfunny and likely incomprehensible
to young consumers who were not born until years later" (PITTSBURGH
POST-GAZETTE, 2/8).
STUDIOS MISS FINAL CUT: The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Andrew
Wallenstein wrote, "If the array of standard-issue trailers is any indication, the movie
studios saw fit to punt rather than kick off in memorable fashion its upcoming,
all-important summer-movie season." Universal's "Robin Hood" and "Wolfman" and
Disney's "Prince of Persia" and "Alice in Wonderland" were "among the films that got
their biggest marketing push to date." But to viewers, it may have seemed "more like
'RobinWolfPrinceWonderland' -- the trailers felt indistinguishable, all employing the
same de rigeur fast-cut, night-shrouded phantasmagoria of violence and explosions that
has been so thoroughly co-opted by the videogame industry." Wallenstein: "Not one
single film stood out because they hewed so closely to the tried and true, becoming
instantly forgettable" (HEATVISIONBLOG.com, 2/7).
STRANGE BREW: The S.F.
CHRONICLE's Hartlaub writes A-B
"spent the gross national product of a
midsize nation on a barrage of ads, but
only a house made out of Bud Light
cans seemed like the type of thing
people would be talking about the next
day" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/8). In St.
Pete, Tom Jones wrote A-B "had a bad
day with the house made of Bud Light
and plane-crash survivors who would
Watch The Bud Light's "Light House" Spot
rather drink beer than find a way off
the island." Doritos also "missed the mark with the stupid ad about the man who faked
his own death so he could be in a casket full of Doritos and an equally silly ad with a man
being shocked by his dog's collar" (TAMPABAY.com, 2/7). But MSNBC's Rick Chandler
writes A-B "probably hit for the highest average of all, including the return of the
Budweiser Clydesdales" (MSNBC.com, 2/8). Karsh/Hagan Chair Pocky Marranzino:
"Bud Light gets my award for greatest advertiser comeback after the uninspiring
'drinkability' campaign" (DENVER POST, 2/8).
BLAST FROM THE PAST: The N.Y. TIMES' Elliott writes, "How retro was Super
Bowl XLIV? Let us count the ways." There were "celebrities of a certain age, on screen or
as announcers, among them Don Rickles, for Teleflora; Abe Vigoda and Betty White, for
Snickers; and Stevie Wonder, for Volkswagen." Actors Chevy Chase and Beverly
D'Angelo recreated their roles in "National Lampoon's Vacation" for HomeAway.com's
ad. Also, several "old-school rock acts" appeared, including Kiss, Cheap Trick (Audi),
Electric Light Orchestra (Bud Select 55), Kool & the Gang (Honda Accord Crosstour)
and Bill Withers (EA's "Dante's Inferno") (N.Y. TIMES, 2/8).
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NICE TOUCH: After the
controversy surrounding CBS rejecting
gay dating Web site ManCrunch.com's
proposed Super Bowl ad, the N.Y.
TIMES' Elliott noted a gay couple
appeared in Motorola's third quarter
ad, which featured actress Megan Fox
"in a bathtub wondering what would
happen if she was to send a photo of
herself out into the world." Among the
"vignettes of havoc was a scene of two
men in a kitchen," and one "slapped the
other in the face and the second man
Watch The Motorola Spot
slapped back." The implication was that
Fox' pictures "could even come between a gay couple," and it was a "nice moment of
inclusion rather than exclusion" (NYTIMES.com, 2/7).
RANKINGS ROUNDUP: In Utah, Lana Groves reports a panel of employees from
Salt Lake City-based marketing agency Letter23 "settled on the commercial that featured
Emerald Nuts and Pop Secret Popcorn in which people acting as dolphins literally
jumped through hoops for their favorite treat as the best of the lot." The panel "gave a
close second" to the Bridgestone Tire commercial and ranked Snickers' ad third. Letter23
President Kelly Casaday said the "worst of the worst" was a Skechers ad about a shoe that
helps "firm up your behind." The spot ran twice during the broadcast, and Casaday said,
"It shouldn't have run once" (DESERET NEWS, 2/8). Snickers' ad was voted as
consumers' favorite by McKee Wallwork Cleveland's AdBowl (AdBowl). Northwestern
Univ.'s Kellogg School of Management Super Bowl Advertising Review ranked Google's
ad No. 1, edging out fellow "A" grade advertisers Denny's, Audi, Volkswagen, Dodge and
Snickers. Three auto spots ranked in the top five. The review panel is comprised of MBA
students from the school (Kellogg). Ad agency Colle & McVoy's Squawq, which tracks
and analyzes Twitter conversations, indicated that Doritos' "House Rules" ad was the
most-talked-about spot during last night's game (Colle & McVoy).
WEB TRAFFIC PICKS UP: Akamai, which
tracked Internet traffic for more than 75% of Super
Bowl advertisers, said aggregate visits to the Web sites
of those companies peaked at 1.18 million global
visitors per minute immediately after the end of the
game. During the game, jumps in Web traffic were
particularly seen immediately after GoDaddy.com's first
quarter ad, and the HomeAway.com ad in the third
Watch The HomeAway Spot quarter. Both companies aggressively teased viewers to
go online to see longer versions of their ads. Akamai's Super Bowl-related clients also
included Budweiser, Audi, GM and Monster.com, among others (Eric Fisher,
SportsBusiness Journal). In Cleveland, Andrea Simakis notes viewers were “encouraged
to visit” Focus on the Family's Web site as part of its ad featuring former Univ. of Florida
QB Tim Tebow, and “so many heeded the call that the web site either refused to open or
moved slower than Abe Vigoda on the football field in that Snickers ad” (Cleveland
PLAIN DEALER, 2/8).
3. SUPER BOWL ADS: FOCUS ON THE FAMILY SPOT FALLS SHORT OF HYPE
The Focus on the Family spot that
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made former Univ. of Florida QB Tim Tebow and his mother Pam the "unintended stars
of Super Bowl XLIV was not a screed against abortion," but rather a "lighthearted take on
a mother-son relationship," according to Robin Abcarian of the L.A. TIMES. The ad did
not tell a "heartwarming story about a mother ignoring doctors' advice and having her
baby," as many had predicted. Pam Tebow in the spot said, "I call him my miracle baby.
He almost didn't make it into this world ... you know, with all our family's been through,
we have to be tough." Then Pam "appears to be tackled and flies off-screen." She stands
back up and says, "Timmy! I'm trying to tell our story here!" Abcarian notes in the two
weeks leading up to last night's broadcast, the ad "had been the subject of furious
debate," and "some anger persisted after the ad aired." Former Catholics for Choice
President Frances Kissling believes that Focus on the Family is "lucky that abortionrights groups raised objections." Kissling: "If there had not been all of that publicity over
the last two weeks, this ad could have passed almost unnoticed. Who would have known
what they're talking about? It's so subtle." However, National Organization for Women
(NOW) President Terry O'Neill contends that the spot "glorified violence against women"
(L.A. TIMES, 2/8).
A GENTLE TOUCH: In N.Y., Stuart Elliott noted the Focus on the Family spot
never used the word "abortion," and the "only nod to the organization's anti-abortion
stance was the sign off at the end" that read, "Celebrate Family. Celebrate Life." The spot
was "slick and well done; a casual viewer might not have any idea it was from an
organization as opposed to abortion as Focus on the Family." It used a "production style
and tone that is typical of Oprah Winfrey: upbeat, seemingly free of ideology, including
chirpy music" (NYTIMES.com, 2/7). Northwestern Univ.’s Kellogg School of
Management marketing professor Tim Calkins said that the ad was "'very gentle,' which
was surprising considering how much talk it generated before it even aired." He said that
the "use of humour helped make the ad more accessible -- and not off-putting to most
people -- although the ad's message was hidden, which makes it less effective and
confusing to people who weren't familiar with it." Calkins: "I suspect the people they were
going after understood the message, but ... for most people, I don't think the ad really did
a lot for them" (AP, 2/7). Shirley Herman, Treasurer of NOW's North Palm Beach County
chapter, said, "It was very quick, and it was very mild. I didn't find it terribly offensive"
(PALM BEACH POST, 2/8).
LET DOWN? USA TODAY's Bruce Horovitz writes the Tebow ad "turned out to be
somewhat of a dud," scoring "in the bottom quarter" among the newspaper's Ad Meter
panelists. But Focus on the Family CEO Jim Daly said, "We're not selling products. Our
goal is to get the message out there, and we thought it was a great message" (USA
TODAY, 2/8). Pierce-Cole Advertising President Rebecca Pierce-Merrick believes that the
spot "didn't hold up to its hype." Pierce-Merrick: "Everyone was on pins and needles, but
it was a flat ad and far too vague and subtle" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/8). Metropolitan
State College of Denver marketing professor Darrin Duber-Smith said, "Really tame. If
not for the 'Focus on the Family' at the end, I wouldn't have gotten what it was about."
Univ. of Colorado's Leeds School of Business assistant marketing professor Susan Jung
Grant: "Anticlimactic. After all the pregame chatter, I was expecting heated sanctimony.
This was more like a warm washcloth" (DENVER POST, 2/8). FOXSPORTS.com's Kathy
Lyford wrote if the decision on whether to run the ad was "based solely on quality of the
ad, then it shouldn't have run." Pam Tebow "mumbled and the ad was just lame"
(FOXSPORTS.com, 2/7). Duke Univ. theologian Amy Laura Hall contends that the
commercial "may have done a disservice to the mission Focus on the Family aims to
promote" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/8).
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: ESPN.com's Jerry Greene writes the spot was
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"actually quite subtle and, truthfully, a little cheap-looking." Greene noted it was the
third ad to air during the first quarter of last night's game, adding, "Perhaps CBS deemed
it wise to get it out there quickly." Postgame debate about the ad will "center on the
various commercial rankings to see whether the public did or did not appreciate what the
Tebows had to say." But in "all likelihood, no opinions were changed" (ESPN.com, 2/8).
In Dallas, Tom Maurstad writes the spot was "strikingly unobjectionable, just generically
sweet, with not the vaguest hint, much less explicit message, relating to abortion"
(DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/8). MSNBC.com's Rick Chandler writes, "All the hand
wringing over the Tebow spot turned out to be for nothing: It seemed to feel more like an
FTD spot than something decrying abortion" (MSNBC.com, 2/8). On Long Island, Neil
Best writes under the header, "What Tebow Controversy?" (NEWSDAY, 2/8).
PRICELESS PROMOTION: SPORTINGNEWS.com's Dan Levy writes, "While the
Focus on the Family spot wasn't a strong ad, per se, it's what they didn't say that made it
a culmination to the greatest viral marketing campaign of all time. Look, I hate
hyperbole, but this was the greatest of all time. Sheer brilliance" (SPORTINGNEWS.com,
2/8). In Jacksonville, Matt Soergel notes the spot was "remarkably uncontroversial after
the fact," but Focus on the Family "couldn't have possibly paid for all the publicity the
protests gained them" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 2/8).
START OF SOMETHING BIGGER? YAHOO SPORTS' Jay Busbee wrote while the
Focus on the Family ad left viewers "with an 'is that it?' feeling afterward," it is what is
"implied, what the ad represents, that could fundamentally alter the Super Bowl
commercial landscape." Commercials during the previous 43 Super Bowls "stayed away
from the charged worlds of politics, religion and morality," but "all that has changed"
with the Tebow spot. The ad "has the potential to change the landscape of Super Bowl
advertising, and, in turn, the national post-Super Bowl conversation." Advocacy groups
"tend to follow the approach of siblings appealing to their parents: they did it, so why
can't we?" The Focus on the Family spot "now serves as precedent; from now on, a
network that turns down an advocacy ad is inviting a lawsuit" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com,
2/7). In California, Chuck Barney writes CBS "might have opened the floodgates by
relaxing its ban on ads for advocacy groups." Barney: "Will next year's Super Bowl turn
into a soapbox derby?" (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 2/8).
4. SUPER BOWL ADS: LENO'S APPEARANCE WITH LETTERMAN SCORES BIG
The ads during CBS' coverage last
night of Super Bowl XLIV that "tried to
titillate viewers with sexual imagery
and near-naked performers probably
stirred less buzz" than the 15-second
promo for the "Late Show" featuring
David Letterman, Oprah Winfrey and
NBC's Jay Leno, according to Tom
Shales of the WASHINGTON POST.
The spot opened with Letterman
"sitting on a couch, eating chips and
watching TV," and the camera then
"pulled back to reveal two companions
Watch The "Late Show" Spot
watching with Dave: Oprah Winfrey ...
and the totally unexpected Jay Leno." The notion of "having an NBC star on CBS air was
cleared" by CBS Corp. President & CEO Les Moonves, "executives at NBC, and Leno, who
when contacted by Dave's people, agreed immediately." The ad was taped last Tuesday
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2/8/10 2:12 PM
night in the Ed Sullivan Theater in N.Y. Winfrey was "smuggled in unnoticed and Leno
arrived in a disguise that included dark glasses and a fake mustache." Worldwide Pants
President & CEO Rob Burnett said that Letterman "himself dreamed up the spot and
wrote it" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/8). Burnett said that Leno was "able to get Tuesday
free -- NBC had rearranged its schedule to pre-empt his 10 p.m. show that night -- and
took the NBC corporate jet." Burnett said of shooting the ad, "I'd say it took no more than
20 or 30 minutes" (NYTIMES.com, 2/7).
UNEXPECTED TWIST: In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal wrote the "unexpected promo
was the latest -- and easily the most unexpected -- twist in the late-night soap opera."
Burnett said that he believed the taping was the "first face-to-face meeting between
Letterman and Leno since Leno's last appearance on Letterman's NBC 'Late Night' just
before taking over" NBC's "Tonight Show." Burnett added that Letterman and Leno "got
along fine" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 2/7). Burnett said that the "only CBS official who
knew of the plan" was Moonves. Burnett: "We wanted desperately to keep this a secret.
Most of the staff didn't know. We just knew we had to keep the circle extraordinarily
tight." In L.A., Gold & Fernandez reported NBC Exec Producer Debbie Vickers, NBC
Universal Television Entertainment Chair Jeff Gaspin and NBCU President & CEO Jeff
Zucker "were in the loop, but few others had a clue." Burnett said, "I think for Jay, he
thought of it less as a promo and more of a funny piece to be doing on the Super Bowl."
While the "Late Show" staff "speculated internally about what the ad would do for Leno's
image," Burnett said that Letterman was "focused on another aspect." Burnett: "Dave is
ruled by one law: Is it funny? That's all he really cared about" (LATIMES.com, 2/7).
Burnett added that he contacted Jeff Ross, Exec Producer for former NBC "Tonight
Show" host Conan O'Brien, but Ross said that the "timing wasn't right" (DAILY
VARIETY, 2/8).
CRITICS LOVE IT: DAILY VARIETY's Brian Lowry wrote under the header, "Dave
& Jay Steal The Show." Lowry: "Given the vitriol Letterman has flung Leno's way, it was
an especially nifty idea to put the two together in this grand showcase. Moreover, it was
smart for both guys to put some of the petulant nonsense behind them, if only for the
day" (VARIETY.com, 2/7). On Long Island, Verne Gay writes, "This was one of the great
ads in Super Bowl history -- a piece of theater that we (or at least I) will remember for a
long time" (NEWSDAY, 2/8). In Baltimore, David Zurawik wrote, "What a great move to
get Leno and have the two latenight rivals bickering. Brilliant!" (BALTIMORESUN.com,
2/7). Deutsch Inc. Chair & CEO Donny Deutsch: "For those two guys to go on together to
kind of make fun of themselves just truly shows both their iconic statures. Just a stroke of
genius" ("Today," NBC, 2/8). In Detroit, Julie Hinds wrote, "If the TV hosts who've been
blasting each other with jokes on the late-night wars can come together for a good laugh,
maybe we all can" (FREEP.com, 2/7). Also in Detroit, Mekeisha Madden Toby writes of
the ad, "Wow! NBC is so desperate to improve Leno's image that executives allowed him
to appear on a competing network with Letterman, a guy who is supposed to be his
enemy" (DETROIT NEWS, 2/8).
5. BREES EXPECTED TO CASH IN FROM SUPER BOWL MVP PERFORMANCE
Saints QB and Super Bowl XLIV
MVP Drew Brees today will be honored
with a parade down Main Street of Walt
Disney World’s Magic Kingdom as part
of the filming for the famous "I'm
Going to Disney World" TV spot. Brees
also will be featured in a new digital
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campaign for Unilever's Dove
Men+Care products. Versions of the ad,
titled "Victory Shower," were shot with
both Saints and Colts players prior to
the Super Bowl. The ad appears
prominently on USAToday.com and
Yahoo Sports this morning (THE
DAILY). In New Orleans, Kimberly
Quillen noted winning the Super Bowl
"opens up a higher tier of endorsement
Brees Could See Many Deals Like One With
opportunities" for Brees. Millsport
Unilever In Wake Of Super Bowl Win
Account Dir Darin David: "A
quarterback's legacy often hinges on whether they've been to Super Bowls or won Super
Bowls. It can catapult them up into that elite group of players ... that companies will look
at when they're trying to make those decisions." Tulane Univ. Sports Law Program Dir
Gabe Feldman added Brees has a "combination of factors working in his favor that
should push him over the edge," as he is "comfortable in front of the camera and not just
in talking about the game, but in talking about the city." Feldman: "He just comes across
as a very likeable person. He’s in some ways become sort of close to the ideal pitchman.
He’s been in the league a long time, he’s had such great success, and now he’s reached the
pinnacle. It’s hard to create a better story than that. If a brand is looking for a new
national spokesman, it’s hard to find someone who’s better than Drew Brees right now."
Quillen noted Encore Sports & Entertainment President & CEO Chris Stuart, Brees'
marketing agent, "hinted that new endorsement deals are in the works but wouldn't talk
about which brands may be involved" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 2/7).
LIMITED-TIME OFFER: In New Orleans, John DeShazier reported Saints RB
Reggie Bush and adidas have "teamed up to create a custom designed shoe to help deliver
relief to the citizens of Haiti." The shoe is "personally customized by Bush and includes a
'Help Haiti' inscription on the heel to generate awareness for the ongoing need of
assistance." The shoe, which was designed on miadidas.com, can be purchased for $105
"by visiting that site or facebook.com/adidasfootballus, with a portion of the proceeds
going directly to Haiti via Mercy Corps" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 2/6).
SPONSORS, SPONSORS EVERYWHERE: In Indianapolis, Matthew Tully writes
the Super Bowl is "commercialism at its finest." Nine planes with "trailing advertising
banners (Papa John's, Dunkin' Donuts, etc.) filled the air" around Sun Life Stadium
prior to kickoff. Also, once inside the stadium, fans had "several entrances to choose
from, such as the Sprint entry, the Snickers entry and the Reebok entry." Tully: "When it
comes to marketing, nothing tops the NFL" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/8). Meanwhile,
Front Row Marketing (FRM) indicated that Toronto-based Sun Life Financial received
over $26M in media value during the Super Bowl through 68 sequences that included
verbal mentions, on-screen text and stadium signage (FRM).
6. IS DANICA PUSHING THE EDGE WITH "SOMEWHAT SALACIOUS" MARKETING?
Driver Danica Patrick starred in each of the
two Go Daddy ads that aired during CBS'
coverage of Super Bowl XLIV last night, and
some observers "question Patrick's somewhat
salacious marketing tack," according to Liz
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Watch The Go Daddy's "Spa" Spot
Clarke of the WASHINGTON POST. Is Patrick an example of an "empowered athlete who
is shrewdly in command of her image," or is she "being exploited, or exploiting herself, to
stand out in an admittedly competitive market for limited sponsorship dollars?" Former
driver Janet Guthrie, who was the first woman ever to race in the Indianapolis 500, said
that Patrick's "approach is 'distasteful' -- particularly given her accomplishments behind
the wheel." Guthrie said she finds Patrick's GoDaddy ads "moderately distasteful, but not
nearly as distasteful as the still photos Danica did for the girlie magazine" FHM. Guthrie
added, "But she made, what, $7[M] last year? And if she is okay with that, that's her
choice to make." TNT NASCAR analyst and former driver Kyle Petty said, "Danica is in
the unique position to be able to use that side of who she is -- her feminine side -- to
attract sponsors and market herself."
NOT THE FIRST OF HER KIND: Clarke
wrote Patrick is "hardly alone among
contemporary female athletes who are
accentuating their looks to build their brand,"
following tennis player Maria Sharapova, U.S.
skier Julia Mancuso and snowboarder Gretchen
Bleiler, among others. Octagon Managing Dir of
Olympics & Action Sports Peter Carlisle: "It's
primarily a personal choice each of these
athletes makes -- whatever that choice is -whether it's to take part in an FHM photo shoot Watch The Go Daddy's "News" Spot
or not. Sure, by doing it, you're going to turn some people on, and you're going to run
some people off." IMG spokesperson Jim Gallagher, whose agency reps Patrick, insisted
that Patrick is "fully in charge of her branding strategy, which includes deals with
Mattel's Barbie and Hot Wheels and a Got Milk? campaign." Gallagher said in an e-mail,
"She has great business and marketing savvy, and understands the brand vision she and
IMG have crafted for the future, and she chooses partners that fit that vision."
Meanwhile, Patrick Saturday made her stock car debut in the ARCA Lucas Oil Slick Mist
200, and Clarke wrote it "remains to be seen how NASCAR fans will respond" to Patrick's
marketing efforts, as they "tend to care more about a driver's personality than his skill."
Former SMI President & CEO Humpy Wheeler: "When you're doing that kind of
marketing, you are on a razor's edge with the NASCAR crowd. Men are men. But with
NASCAR's heavily female crowd, you have to be really careful" (WASHINGTON POST,
2/6).
SPINNING THE WHEEL: Hot Wheels will sponsor JR Motorsports' No. 7 Chevy
driven by Patrick in the Nationwide Series this season, including primary sponsor
placement for the August 14 Carfax 250 at Michigan Int'l Speedway. Hot Wheels and
Patrick also are working together on other promotional initiatives, including a special
Hot Wheels vehicle designed by Patrick herself (Hot Wheels). In Orlando, Ganguli &
Smith noted Hot Wheels will be a "secondary sponsor" of Patrick's car excluding the
Carfax 250. When asked if she "played with Hot Wheels as a child, Patrick replied that
she had Barbies." Patrick: "I'm a girl!" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/7).
7. CROWN ROYAL EXPANDS SPONSORSHIP OF ROUSH FENWAY, MATT KENSETH
Roush Fenway Racing Friday announced that Crown Royal has expanded to 35 the
number of races in which it will be the primary sponsor of the No. 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series Ford driven by Matt Kenseth in '10. Also Friday, Crown Royal announced the latest
iteration of its "Your Name Here" 400 contest. This year, fans will choose one of five U.S.
armed service members to receive naming rights to the May 1 Sprint Cup Series race at
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Richmond Int'l Raceway (THE DAILY). In Charlotte, Jim Utter noted Crown Royal
originally was expected to serve as Kenseth's primary sponsor for "just over half the
season" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/6).
LOST SPONSOR: The OBSERVER's Utter reported Phoenix Racing Owner James
Finch and Kyle Busch Motorsports Owner Kyle Busch were "notified late Thursday
Miccosukee Resort and Gaming had decided not to continue their NASCAR sponsorships
in 2010." Finch "has been planning to field the No. 09 entry with driver Aric Almirola
and a full-time Nationwide entry for James Buescher." Miccosukee was "also set to
sponsor" Busch's No. 18 Camping World Truck Series entry. Finch said of Miccosukee's
decision, "We had a contract, but our only recourse is to go in front of the tribal council
and that's not a case I'm going to win" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/6). Finch Friday
said that he "still plans to run a full Nationwide Series schedule" with Buescher, but
"whether he can run full Sprint Cup races with Aric Almirola is up in the air"
(SCENEDAILY.com, 2/5).
8. JIMMY JOHNSON INKS DEAL WITH MALE ENHANCEMENT BRAND EXTENZE
Fox NFL analyst Jimmy Johnson has signed a deal to be the
new spokesperson for male enhancement brand ExtenZe.
Johnson will appear in a series of ads advocating ExtenZe for
"maximizing what you already have." The 15-, 30- and
60-second spots, which will begin airing this month, feature
Johnson on a football field and in the garage of the ExtenZe
Racing team, which will compete in NASCAR's Sprint Cup
Series this year. Johnson appears in one spot with Kevin
Conway, who drives the No. 37 car. Some of the commercials
allude to the confusion between Johnson and NASCAR driver
Jimmie Johnson (Inter/Media). AD AGE's Jack Neff noted
Johnson "isn't the first celebrity pitchman ExtenZe signed up
for a campaign." Inter/Media CEO Robert Yallen, whose
Johnson's ExtenZe Ads
marketing agency helped create the campaign, said that the
Will Begin This Week
first spokesperson "returned the check after starting to shoot
commercials and getting embarrassed." Johnson in one spot says, "Most men want to
perform the best they can in just about everything. Isn't that why we buy the biggest and
best of everything?" He ends the ad with the tagline, "Go long with ExtenZe. I do." Neff
noted the campaign is "designed to support the supplement as it shifts its focus to
distribution through mass retailers such as Walmart" (ADAGE.com, 2/4).
9. MARKETPLACE ROUNDUP
USA TODAY's Bruce Horovitz reports the Team USA
snowboarding uniform designed by Burton Snowboards is "raising
eyebrows before the torch is even lit" in Vancouver. The jersey is
made from "high-tech, waterproof Gore-Tex material -- but looks
like a pair of ripped blue jeans and a loose flannel shirt." Burton
Founder & Owner Jake Burton said, "That the outfit has created a
controversy is fitting. If it's unpatriotic, you should throw everyone
wearing blue jeans and flannel shirts out of the country." The
company saw "sales fall double-digits last year," but its success still
"is impressive." It holds "40% of the world's snowboard market,"
and Burton believes it "could be a $1 billion company within five
years" (USA TODAY, 2/8).
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CREAM OF THE CROP: YAHOO SPORTS' Marc Spears
profiled CAA Sports, which reps Cavaliers F LeBron James, Heat G
Dwyane Wade and Raptors F Chris Bosh, all free agents after this
season. There is "no denying that CAA has become a growing power
within the NBA," and the agency's "long reach in the entertainment
world appeals to many of its clients, especially the bigger stars who
hope to expand their portfolios outside basketball." Through CAA,
Wade "renewed a deal with T-Mobile and signed one with Flip
Video," while Bosh has deals with Ford Motor Company of Canada,
Rogers Communication and Panini Trading Cards. Bosh said of
CAA, "They have many things they can do and have a lot of
outreaches in different areas" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/4).
YOU CAN CALL ME SUPERMAN: Magic C Dwight Howard
said that adidas "wants to send him" to this summer's FIFA World
Cup in South Africa "to serve as 'a sports reporter.'" Howard: "I'm
planning to go, yes. Most likely I'll be there"
Burton Uniform
"Raising Eyebrows" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 2/6). Meanwhile, ESPN has debuted a
new "This is SportsCenter" ad featuring Howard and the
network's Hannah Storm, in which Howard "dresses like Clark Kent"
(ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 2/6).
10. CBS EARNS HIGHEST OVERNIGHT SUPER BOWL RATING SINCE '87
CBS earned a 46.4 overnight Nielsen rating for the Saints' 31-17 win over the Colts
in Super Bowl XLIV, marking the best Super Bowl overnight since Giants-Broncos earned
a 47.8 overnight for Super Bowl XXI on CBS in '87. The 46.4 rating is up 10.2% from a
42.1 for last year's Steelers-Cardinals Super Bowl XLIII on NBC. Last night's game
peaked at a 50.6 rating in the 9:30-9:45pm ET window as the game was finishing. New
Orleans led all metered markets with a 56.3 rating, while Indianapolis finished fourth
overall with a 54.2 rating. A snowbound DC market finished second with a 56.0 local
rating. Following the postgame show, CBS earned a 20.3 overnight rating for
"Undercover Boss," marking the best post-Super Bowl lead-out since ABC's "Grey's
Anatomy" followed Steelers-Seahawks Super Bowl XL in '06. NBC earned an 11.4
overnight for "The Office" following last year's Super Bowl (THE DAILY).
CBS' SUPER BOWL XLIV RATINGS BREAKDOWN
WINDOW (ET)
RATING
6:30-7:00pm
41.5
7:00-7:30pm
45.0
7:30-8:00pm
46.3
8:00-8:30pm
45.3
8:30-9:00pm
48.0
9:00-9:30pm
49.8
9:30-9:45pm
50.6
A JOB WELL DONE: USA TODAY's Michael Hiestand writes in "playing it straight
Sunday, CBS didn't fumble, largely avoiding anything hokey -- and overall was pretty
18 of 45
2/8/10 2:12 PM
good." Game announcers Jim Nantz and Phil Simms "pretty much stuck to the on-field,
making it sound like they were just working another big game." CBS' pregame coverage
also "didn't go overboard hyping the network's shows" (USA TODAY, 2/8). In St.
Petersburg, Tom Jones wrote Nantz and Simms "played it straight and, seeing as how
they're among the best in the business, that was more than good enough." The direction
and production of CBS' broadcast were "top-notch, there were no gaffes, and the pregame
and halftime studio shows were solid, although a little loud at times." It was "not as well
done as the job NBC did last season, but still pretty good" (TAMPABAY.com, 2/7). In
N.Y., Phil Mushnick writes CBS "did a good job covering the game, and even before the
game -- when it showed tape of Dwight Freeney testing his injured ankle and not looking
particularly pleased with it -- we could tell it was paying attention." The telecast "stayed
on the field, covered the game" (N.Y. POST, 2/8).
PHIL ME UP: In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes
Simms last night "showed he's an analyst who is
not afraid to engage in self-analysis." Simms in
the fourth quarter discussed Saints WR Lance
Moore's two-point conversion while it was under
review and said, "This could be a two-point
conversion because he gets possession in the
second act (of stretching the ball over the goal
line)." Raissman notes Simms then "did
something many of his peers would not be
inclined to do" when he "stuck his ego in his
pocket." Simms originally called the play
incomplete, but he said, "We were informed
during commercial why it could be overturned."
Simms "didn't have to say anything," but that
comment showed the "kind of respect he has for
Simms And Nantz Earn High Marks
viewers" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/8). On Long
For Solid, Straight-Forward Call
Island, Neil Best notes Simms "has the
self-confidence after six Super Bowls in the TV booth to point out when he gets
something wrong." Simms during the fourth quarter suggested that the Saints should not
blitz Colts QB Peyton Manning just moments before the team's blitz helped force
Manning into throwing an interception. Best notes what was "more important was that
he followed" the play with "deft analysis of what happened, aided by sharp replays, as
CBS completed an admirably clean telecast" (NEWSDAY, 2/8). In N.Y., Richard
Sandomir writes Simms' analysis was "very ... sharp," and added, "I have always liked the
way Simms admits his errors." Simms after the interception said, "What was I saying?
Don't blitz? So they sent everybody" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/8).
A PROFESSIONAL CALL: In Miami, Barry Jackson writes Nantz delivered a
"clean, crisp call, identifying pertinent information quickly after plays," while Simms
"accurately predicted the Saints would try to score a touchdown on a fourth-and-goal late
in the first half and correctly anticipated that the Colts would be able to run effectively"
(MIAMI HERALD, 2/8). In Denver, Dusty Saunders notes Simms provided "decent
commentary while cutting back on his overused comments," and Nantz "turned in his
usual, smooth play-by-play performance" (DENVER POST, 2/8). In West Palm Beach,
Charles Elmore notes CBS "picked things up to start the second half," highlighted by
Simms referring to the aftermath of the Saints' onside kick attempt as "an all-time
scrum" (PALM BEACH POST, 2/8). In California, John Maffei writes under the header,
"Simms, CBS On Their Game In Super Bowl" (NORTH COUNTY TIMES, 2/8).
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NOT BRINGING THE "A" GAME: In Ft. Lauderdale, Tom Jicha notes while CBS
had "almost every picture a fan could have wanted" of yesterday's game, the
"commentary left a lot to be desired." Simms had a "particularly bad day." He got off to a
"bad start by making the cardinal mistake of offering analysis based on preconceived
notion rather than what was on the screen." Simms during the first quarter said of
Freeney's ankle injury, "You can tell right away that ankle isn't good." But then Simms
and Nantz "spent the rest of the half noting how well Freeney, who got the first sack of
the game, was playing" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 2/8). In Albany, Pete Dougherty
wrote Simms "had an erratic game." One minute he can "deliver insight you get no where
else, the next you're left scratching your head wondering what he said"
(TIMESUNION.com, 2/7). SI.com's Ricard Deitsch writes Simms is "too prepared to ever
have a really poor game, but this wasn't his best effort." However, Nantz was "excellent
throughout the broadcast, always letting the action tell the story." Deitsch awarded Nantz
an "A-", and Simms a "B-" grade" (SI.com, 2/8). In Dallas, Barry Horn writes CBS'
broadcast "stumbled to the finish with a couple of premature calls from the booth." First
was Moore's two-point conversion, which Simms and Nantz both called incomplete.
Nantz later in the game incorrectly declared that Saints DB Jabari Greer was "in bounds"
when intercepting a Manning pass in the end zone (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/8).
A FEW INCOMPLETE PASSES: In San Diego, Jay Posner writes there "were some
failures" during the broadcast. Simms was "silent on the Colts' conservative play-calling
near the end" of the first half, "as well as their decision to ... try a 51-yard field goal" in the
fourth quarter. Neither announcer "picked up before a commercial that the Saints might
want to challenge their failed two point-conversion." From a production standpoint, the
"sound mix seemed off at times, making it difficult to hear the announcers over the
crowd." There also was a "problem with the sound that prevented viewers from hearing
what players were saying during the pre-produced montage that preceded the
introduction of the teams" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/8).
SUPER DUPER: In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley notes CBS' six SuperVision cameras
"are more than gadgets," as they change the way "viewers see football games." CBS'
broadcast "did a terrific job of getting those SuperVision shots up quickly after important
plays, including the two-point conversion" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 2/8).
The DENVER POST's Saunders writes CBS Director Mike Arnold and Producer Lance
Barrow "were the MVPs" of last night's telecast, utilizing the SuperVision to "provide
viewers with a you-are-there feeling, particularly in key situations" (DENVER POST,
2/8). In Toronto, Chris Zelkovich writes as "much as the CBS technological arsenal
excelled" throughout the game it "couldn't do the job on another key play -- arguably the
key play of the game." Replays of the Saints' onside kick to start the second half showed
"one of the Colts bobbling the short kick and a Saint recovering it" initially, but "how the
Saints recovered the ball remained a mystery" (TORONTO STAR, 2/8). The N.Y. POST's
Mushnick writes, "The replay review that gave the Saints a two-point conversion and a
seven-point lead was shown five times by CBS, all in slo-mo, which was not how the play
was or wasn't made or called on the field" (N.Y. POST, 2/8).
WHERE'S THE PARTY? The N.Y. TIMES' Sandomir notes CBS immediately after
the game "showed only quickie shots of Bourbon Street" in New Orleans. Sandomir:
"Was that the best CBS had for us? One could argue that it would have been justified in
cutting to gathering points in the city after critical moments during the game. But there's
no argument about what it should have done when the game was over. Reaction shots of
a few seconds each was not enough to tell this story" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/8). USA TODAY's
Hiestand writes while CBS game coverage "gamely cut to a few shots of New Orleans'
French Quarter," it could have "spent a few more minutes on-field for postgame player
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interviews" (USA TODAY, 2/8).
YOU ARE LOOKING LIVE: In Miami, Douglas Hanks writes viewers "could be
forgiven if they forgot where this Super Bowl was played." Announcers mentioned the
word Miami "only a handful of times," and the "first live shot CBS showed outside of Sun
Life Stadium was not of South Beach or a palm tree, but of Bourbon Street in the
moments after New Orleans won the championship" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/8).
11. CBS' SUPER BOWL XLIV PREGAME SHOW, SEGMENTS EARN MIXED REVIEWS
CBS' pregame show for last night's
Super Bowl XLIV was "what we've
come to expect from 'The NFL Today:'
Safe, smartly produced and
occasionally nonsensical," according to
Richard Deitsch of SI.com. CBS analyst
Bill Cowher's interview with jailed
former Giants WR Plaxico Burress
marked the first time Cowher "had ever
conducted a media interview," and
he was "more advocate than
interviewer in his debut." But the
interview was "big news, and the
footage was compelling to watch,
Pregame Show Included Couric's Sit-Down
thanks to producer Charlie Bloom."
With President Obama At White House
CBS' James Brown's feature on
post-Katrina New Orleans "thoughtfully highlighted the linkage between the Saints and
the healing of the community." Also, CBS News' Katie Couric had a "strong, substantive
interview" with President Obama. Plenty of people "will no doubt whack CBS for the
over-promotion of products, but that's what pays the bills" (SI.com, 2/8). In
Indianapolis, Steve Plonski notes the hour-long "Road to the Super Bowl" led off CBS' 6
1/2 hour buildup to the game and the "best part of the retrospective of the 2009 season
was the audio culled from more than 400 hours of on-field wiring of coaches and
players." The four-hour "The Super Bowl Today" pregame studio show had segments that
"may have been weighted in New Orleans' favor." But the New Orleans story is "fresh and
resonates with many folks, particularly those once-a-year viewers who can swell ratings"
(INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/8).
MISSED OPPORTUNITY: In DC, Leonard Shapiro noted "not a discouraging
word" on any of the critical NFL issues -- such as labor talks, a possible uncapped season
in '10 and the long-term effects of concussions -- "found its way into the four-hour CBS
pregame show or the four-hour game telecast" last night. CBS News and Sports President
Sean McManus said that the network had "already spent considerable time" discussing
concussions during the regular season. He added that CBS' "60 Minutes" also had "done
a recent segment on the subject." Shapiro noted "Face the Nation" host Bob Schieffer
"provided the only information you'd get about three of the most important issues facing
the NFL in the coming months." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell appeared on
yesterday's "Face the Nation" and "repeated almost word for word everything he'd said at
his news conference two days before." Meanwhile, Shapiro wrote Couric's live interview
with Obama "seemed totally out of place on one of the few days of the year when
Americans aren't bombarded with shrill partisan politics" (WASHINGTONPOST.com,
2/7).
MIXING SPORTS AND POLITICS: Obama said the Colts "probably have to be
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favored mainly because they've got perhaps the best quarterback in history," but that he
did have a "soft spot in my heart for New Orleans, mainly because of what the city has
gone through over these last several years and I know just how much that team means to
them" ("The Super Bowl Today," CBS, 2/7). On Long Island, Neil Best notes Couric
asked Obama "non-Super Bowl questions for 14 of her 15 minutes." Meanwhile, the "most
unusual moment came eight hours before kickoff, when ever-gregarious Shannon Sharpe
was cast as a panelist on 'Face the Nation'" (NEWSDAY, 2/8).
THUMBS DOWN: In Miami,
Barry Jackson writes the first two-plus
hours of "The NFL Today" "dragged,
with James Brown's poignant report on
New Orleans' recovery from Hurricane
Katrina among the few highlights."
Jackson: "One problem: too much
intrusive, sponsor-driven editorial
content -- more so than past Super
Bowls." CBS "displayed pizzas on set to
promote Pizza Hut" and then had
analyst Boomer Esiason "stuff his
mouth with crackers to promote Ritz."
The network also "aired a worthless
Writers Give Thumbs Down To CBS For
Gatorade segment" (MIAMI HERALD,
Numerous Sponsor Plugs During Pregame
2/8). In Toronto, Chris Zelkovich
writes CBS' pregame was "bound to have some ugly moments, but the network plumbed
new depths with its orgy of shameless sponsor plugs." The studio panel was "more than
once" seen "munching on sponsors' products while supposedly providing expert analysis"
(TORONTO STAR, 2/8). In San Diego, Jay Posner writes, "Hope CBS made a lot of
money for its shameless plugs for Ritz and Pizza Hut. The worst was Ritz, thanks to a
tailgate party with Food Network's Guy Fieri" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/8). In
Detroit, Steve Schrader writes the "first sign the pregame show was too long, not to
mention had too much product placement: The CBS studio guys did a cooking segment
with Guy Fieri. The theme ingredient was Ritz Crackers" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/8).
BLURRING OF THE LINES: The pregame show included a clip of CBS’ Sharpe
and Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez visiting the Gatorade Performance Lab where their fitness
levels were tested. First, they were given Gatorade's new Gatorade Prime drink to be
taken before activity, to which Gonzalez said, "It's good." The two went through several
tests, with a Gatorade rep telling Sharpe he was still in great shape despite having retired
six years ago ("The Super Bowl Today," CBS, 2/7). In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley
wrote, "You think you are going to watch CBS studio analyst Shannon Sharpe and Tony
Gonzalez compare their fitness levels in a pregame feature, but it's just a Gatorade
placement. So you can go to commercial without going to commercial" (JSONLINE.com,
2/7).
12. NFL NETWORK INKS ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH AF1 TO BROADCAST GAMES
The upstart AF1 has signed a TV deal with NFL
Network, "giving the nascent indoor football league an
instant dose of credibility," according to Lombardo &
Ourand of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. The deal is a
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one-year agreement, "with another one-year option." Terms of the deal "call for AF1 to
sell the advertising inventory, with the indoor league and the NFL Network evenly
splitting all revenue." The NFL Network "will provide the on-air talent," and the league’s
games will air "live on Friday nights" from 8:00-11:00pm ET beginning April 2 through
the league’s championship game in late August. The AF1 game on April 23 "will be
pre-empted by the network’s" coverage of the NFL Draft. NFL Network VP/Programming
Charles Coplin said, "We embrace football at all levels. This spring schedule gives us a
weekly live game featuring some players who may eventually play in the NFL." Lombardo
& Ourand note NFL Network also was "attracted by the AF1's spring schedule, which
comes at a relatively down time for the NFL, with no live games." Coplin said AF1 is
"playing at a time where it made perfect sense for our schedule." He added, "The
programming made sense to us. The economics made sense to us. It's not indicative of a
larger or broader relationship" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/8 issue).
SIGNING OFF? Sources said that Warren Sapp "will no longer be an analyst for
NFL Network following his arrest Saturday." Sapp was "scheduled to be part of" the
network's Super Bowl XLIV coverage yesterday. Police said that Sapp was arrested "after
an alleged domestic violence incident at a Miami Beach hotel." Sapp also serves as an
analyst for Showtime's "Inside the NFL," and the network "has not issued a statement
thus far" (FANHOUSE.com, 2/6).
13. STATE OF THE NFL: LABOR STRIFE DOMINATES GOODELL'S ADDRESS
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's annual news conference on Friday "covered a
range of topics, but labor strife dominated the session as it has much of the week,"
according to Judy Battista of the N.Y. TIMES. He rejected the suggestion from NFLPA
Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith that the owners are "preparing for a lockout." Goodell: "The
idea that ownership would be anxious for a work stoppage is absolutely false. You don’t
make money by shutting down your business. It’s a bad scenario for everybody." Smith
Thursday said that he viewed the likelihood of a lockout in '11 "as a 14 on a scale of 1 to
10." Goodell Friday responded, "I sure hope he’s wrong. I sure hope it doesn’t become a
self-fulfilling prophecy. Talking about options like work stoppages is not going to get us
there." He added, "They have to understand the issues, they have to address them. I’m
not much on rhetoric. People want solutions, most importantly our fans." Battista noted
progress toward a new CBA "has been slow and the sides agree that an uncapped year
starting in March seems inevitable." But each side in recent weeks has "gone public with
its arguments, revealing deep frustrations." Patriots Owner Robert Kraft on Friday said,
"We’ve got something great going. We’ve got to be smart on both sides. Fans don’t want
to hear well-to-do owners and well-to-do players squabbling. We’ve got the greatest game
in America. We’re got to find a way to solve it" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/6). Goodell on Friday also
said, "We need every opportunity we have to structure an agreement, sit down and
negotiate. That's how this will get done. And, we will have an agreement. It's just a matter
of time" (TORONTO STAR, 2/6).
WE CAN WORK IT OUT: Goodell acknowledged the NFL has "many challenges
going forward," and said, "We have to sit at the table and we have to get an agreement
that works for everybody, and that's what people expect. They expect solutions." He said
of the NFLPA, "What is important for them to understand -- and we have shared with
them the basic economic data -- is to say the system isn't working. Right now, the
important number to focus on is since the 2006 agreement was struck, we have
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generated $3.6(B) in incremental revenue, additional revenue, (and) $2.6(B) has gone to
the players. The owners were actually $200(M) worse off than they were in 2006. The
system is not working for at least one side of the equation and that's the point."
Addressing the current CBA, Goodell said, "There are things that we agreed to that we
shouldn't have. We need to go back and get that fixed, and there are a lot of changes in
the NFL economics over the years, most specifically the investments they're making in
stadiums" (NFL Network, 2/5). More Goodell: "I can assure you that the ownership, and
I believe the players, in talking to individual players, want to get an agreement and want
to work to do that. We're currently committed to do that and I am right there at the
forefront" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/6). He added, "I don't think anybody wants to see a work
stoppage. ... It's a negative. It's a negative for our fans. Frankly if it comes to anything like
that, we would all have failed" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/6).
ROGER THAT: In Philadelphia, Bob Brookover wrote Goodell was "far less
aggressive" during his state of the league address than Smith was during the NFLPA's
press conference on Thursday. Goodell "didn't offer any substantial reasons for optimism
on labor negotiations that apparently will lead to a season without a salary cap in 2010"
(PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 2/6). In Boston, Ron Borges noted Goodell during his
address "used the words 'work stoppage' nearly as often as he did 'NFL' and 'football' -when the fact is the only way there will be a work stoppage is if the owners stop the
players from working" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/6). In Detroit, Jerry Green wrote under the
header, "NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Scores No Points In Labor Impasse." Goodell
is considered "something of a chip off the statue of Pete Rozelle -- glib, polished,
smooth." But "he's not." Goodell on Friday "avoided straight answers to just about every
question" (DETROIT NEWS, 2/6).
THE PRESSURE IS ON: In N.Y., Mike Vaccaro wrote no matter "how cool and how
calm a front Goodell chooses to put on for the cameras and for the journalists, he has to
know he is walking into uncharted territory here." Every previous time labor strife has
"imperiled a sport, the public has almost instinctively sided with the establishment." It is
"always easier to side with old money over new, to figure the guys in the suits are on the
side of the angels while the guys in the jock straps are greedy malcontents." But it will
"not work that way this time," not in an era "when the public has become increasingly
aware of just how deep the sacrifices among football players are" (N.Y. POST, 2/7).
SportsNet N.Y.'s Chris Carlin: "I rarely side with the players, but when it comes to the
NFL, I'm with DeMaurice Smith and the players. With no guaranteed contracts, these
guys have to get the money when they can, and for the owners take an 18% paycut is
ridiculous" ("Loudmouths," SportsNet N.Y., 2/5). In DC, Michael Wilbon wrote NFL
owners "don't seem to be in anywhere near the union-busting mood they were 23 years
ago," but unless they "get the upper hand in a deal this time around, they'll probably put
replacement players on the field again" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/6). ESPN.com's John
Clayton wrote the "future state of the league is going to be determined in the next four
weeks." If the two sides fail to reach agreement before the salary cap disappears on
March 5, Smith said that it is "virtually impossible for the union to go back to a salary
cap" after that (ESPN.com, 2/7).
IS LOCKOUT A GIVEN? FOXSPORTS.com's Jason Whitlock wrote there is "zero
chance of a lockout." You do not "hit the eject button at the very moment the league is
about to land on the moon." Whitlock: "Whatever discomfort billionaire NFL owners
might have with sharing more than half of their total revenue with millionaire players,
the owners will get over it when Goodell explains what their partnership with players has
wrought" (FOXSPORTS.com, 2/5). Denver Post columnist Woody Paige: "There's no
chance when you've got the Golden Goose as the NFL and its players does, that you're
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going to actually try and wring its neck. This will be worked out. There's plenty of time. ...
They'll get it together because there's so much money coming in." FanHouse.com's Kevin
Blackistone: "Just the fact that you have to talk about it means you have to be concerned
about it. But I really think that DeMaurice Smith ... will get this done. The reason is
because I don't think players would vote in a guy who they think is going to cost them
money" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 2/5). Washington Post reporter Mark Maske said, "I
think we'll most likely see a lockout. But the question of whether that will be a work
stoppage that goes over into a season, that's something that's probably going to be
determined at the very last minute" ("Outside The Lines," ESPN, 2/5).
IMPORTANT MARK ON HIS LEGACY: In Newark, Steve Politi wrote how the
NFL "comes through this will define his legacy as commissioner." Goodell either will be
the "man who guided professional football through a turbulent time, or he'll go down as
the sports executive who couldn't divide up a gazillion-dollar pie at a time when his
product reached an unprecedented level of popularity." The U.S. is "addicted to the NFL
now, and taking it away would be very messy" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 2/6).
SIT DOWN & TALK ABOUT IT: The NFL and NFLPA held their latest negotiating
session Saturday, and in DC, Mark Maske noted the move was "highly unusual, and
perhaps reflected how dire both sides feel the situation has become." The
owners "huddled for their own three-hour meeting following the get-together with the
union." Several owners after the meetings said that they would allow Goodell to "speak
on their behalf about the day's developments, but the league did not make Goodell
available to reporters and a spokesman said that Goodell had nothing new to say." The
NFL spokesperson noted that the "next bargaining session with the union has not yet
been scheduled" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 2/6).
14. STATE OF THE NFL: HURDLES STILL EXIST BEFORE RETURN TO L.A. AREA
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
on Friday said that the league
"continues to work" toward bringing a
team to L.A., but noted that there are
"still several hurdles standing in the
way," according to Arash Markazi of
ESPNLOSANGELES.com. The L.A.
area has been without a team since the
Rams relocated to St. Louis in '95, and
Goodell during his state of the league
address said, "I don't think we can
guarantee that a team will be there."
Goodell: "We are all working very hard
to get a team back in the Los Angeles
market because we know there are
millions of fans there that would love to Goodell Says League Is "Working Very Hard"
To Bring A Team Back To The L.A. Area
see NFL football as part of their
community. I think progress is being made. The good news is clearance has been given to
build a stadium." He added, "The key issue is the challenges of financing a facility in this
environment with the labor agreement that we have. The cost of building that stadium is
almost entirely on the ownership and that is a big burden to pay in this type of
environment" (ESPNLOSANGELES.com, 2/5). But Majestic Realty VP John Semcken,
whose company is building the football stadium in Industry, said that Majestic "isn't
concerned about landing a team." Semcken: "We will get a team in Los Angeles."
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Semcken also "expressed his confidence" about financing the $800M stadium. He said,
"We have zero concern about our ability to finance the building. We know what the
numbers are and we know how we are going to do it" (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY
TRIBUNE, 2/6).
RIDE TO CALIFORNIA: ESPN Radio 980 DC's Al Galdi noted L.A. is "not dying"
for an NFL team, but "if you're the NFL, you want that television market." Galdi: "You've
gotten the sense for years that whether you want it or you don't want it L.A., you're going
to get one, and they seem to be going in that direction. It would appear a team like
Jacksonville is a prime candidate for it." He added, "I don't know that a team in L.A.
would thrive, but the prestige of having a team in L.A. -- you want it in L.A." Washington
Post reporter Liz Clarke said, "It's like a collective yawn from L.A. that they don't have
football. That said, Jacksonville was a bad decision from the jump. It's too small of a
market" ("Washington Post Live," Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 2/5).
MAKE IT OR BREAK IT?: The state of the Jaguars was mentioned during
Goodell's press conference, and he said, "You can't continue to have an NFL franchise
with 40,000 people in the stands." But he added team Owner Wayne Weaver has been
"very aggressive in working with the business community, and we will support him in
every way." Goodell: "We know there are millions of fans in North Florida that want to
continue to see the Jaguars play the great football they did this year, and we will support
that, and, hopefully, we will see better results going forward." In Jacksonville, Vito
Stellino reported the Jaguars have "sent out ticket renewals to 25,000 general-bowl ticket
holders and 7,000 club-seat holders and are hoping the majority will renew" (FLORIDA
TIMES-UNION, 2/7).
KEEP ME IN ST. LOUIS: Goodell reiterated that the NFL "wants a franchise in St.
Louis and wants the Rams to be successful there over the long term." He said co-Owners
Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez are "committed to trying to put this organization
on the right path in St. Louis." Goodell: "We have a lease there. We will respect that lease.
We would like the team to be successful in St. Louis over the long term. If Chip and Lucia
decide to sell the team, we will work with the future ownership to make sure that the
team can continue to be there and be successful." Goodell noted that "selling the team
and relocating the team are two different processes." He said, "Ownership transfer is an
important issue for us. We take a lot of time going through that with our committees and
with the full membership. And then, if there is any kind of potential relocation, that's a
separate process. Fortunately, we're not talking about that" (ST. LOUIS
POST-DISPATCH, 2/6).
LEADING THE CHARGE: Goodell said that the Chargers "need a new venue,"
though he did point out the team has been "working very hard to get (a stadium deal)
done in the San Diego community." Goodell: "Baseball has been addressed in that
community in the meantime, and that stadium (Qualcomm Stadium) does need to be
fixed for the NFL, which means a new stadium. They have had a lot of work done over the
years on that. Unfortunately, it hasn't produced a solution. That has disappointed
everybody" (L.A. TIMES, 2/6). Goodell also addressed whether Toronto is "feasible for
the NFL" as a full-time market. He said, "As you know, Toronto is a great market. The
Bills are playing up there on an annual basis in a regular-season game, and then every
other year with a preseason game. I think we want to continue to service that market. We
have great fans there. I think it's a great city" (ESPN.com, 2/6).
DEVILS IN THE DETAILS: When asked about potential "financial duress" facing
Buccaneers Owner the Glazer family, Goodell said, "I talk to the Glazers on a regular
basis. I will tell you that they are sound owners. They are terrific for the NFL and we have
not seen that there is any stress that would affect the way they operate any of their
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professional teams, much less the Tampa Bay Buccaneers." In St. Petersburg, Stephen
Holder wrote based on Goodell's response, he "seems aware of the financial burdens
created by the debt payments" on Manchester United. But the EPL club "produces lots of
revenue, which must be allaying the league's concerns that it's a drain on the Glazers"
(TAMPABAY.com, 2/5).
15. STATE OF THE NFL: GOODELL DISCUSSES MORE REGULAR-SEASON GAMES
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Friday said that he "could see additional games as
part" of the new CBA between the league and the NFLPA, according to John McClain of
the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. There is a chance that adding games to increase the
regular-season schedule "from 16 to 18 would enable the owners and players to make
more money" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 2/6). Goodell said, "We'd be staying within the
20-game format. We'd be improving the quality of what we're offering to our fans and
what we're asking our fans to pay for" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 2/6). More
Goodell: "I consistently hear from players and fans that the quality of our preseason is
not up to NFL standards, and that we need to fix that. This is one way of doing that, and I
believe is an effective way" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 2/6). Meanwhile, the
NFL last played a regular-season game in Mexico in '03, but Goodell said the league
“would love to be back” in the country. Goodell: “You have to develop the right formula
where it's good for our partners in Mexico, it's good for the NFL and we can continue to
grow the game in Mexico.” London has hosted regular-season games the past three years,
and he noted, “We're not making a choice … of London over Mexico. We think we can do
both" (NFL Network, 2/5).
A THINKING MAN'S GAME: In DC, Mark Maske noted Goodell during his
address Friday also addressed head injuries, saying that the league "will consider
additional measures to try to prevent players from suffering concussions." Potential
proposals include "reducing the number of offseason practices that teams can conduct,
and limiting the amount of contact permitted in practices in training camp and during
the season" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/6). He noted concussions and head injuries have
been a “major focus of the league for several years.” But he added the NFL needs to
“make sure we continue to do what we can to make the game safer, and that comes in
how we modify the rules … and what we can do to make sure that our coaches, our
players, everyone understands the serious nature of these injuries.” Goodell: "We have
more work to do, but we think that we're making progress on the awareness and we're
changing the culture" (NFL Network, 2/5). But in Pittsburgh, Gene Collier wrote "too
little time was spent again Friday on the concussion issue, an ever-growing concern in a
game in which collisions are becoming more violent." Goodell deserves "credit for his
initiative in this area, but he hasn't gone nearly far enough" (PITTSBURGH
POST-GAZETTE, 2/6).
LEAGUE MOVING IN RIGHT DIRECTION: ESPN's "Outside The Lines" Sunday
discussed the concussion issue, and Bears LB Hunter Hillenmeyer said the NFL "is
moving in the right direction" toward dealing with head injuries. Hillenmeyer: "The
culture is starting to change." He added, "It's important to note that this isn't just an NFL
issue. Whatever we do policy-wise there'll be trickledown effect to college and to the …
high school levels." ESPN The Magazine's Peter Keating said, "There's been huge media
attention and then this cultural shift that people talk about, it's important to note that it's
come from outsiders. ... But make no mistake the NFL leadership is being dragged into
this" ("Outside The Lines," ESPN, 2/7). CBS' Phil Simms noted the NFL "is making a lot
great changes" to prevent and to diagnose head injuries. Simms: "That's the one thing I
love about the league. It's not like the other sports. They're not afraid to change it,
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whether it helps TV, helps the enjoyment for the fans and the safety of the players so
every year we see rule changes. ... They're going in the right direction" ("Face The
Nation," CBS, 2/7).
16. STATE OF THE NFL: PLAYING FUTURE SUPER BOWL IN N.Y. GAINS STEAM
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
"clearly supports awarding Super Bowl
XLVIII to the Giants' and Jets' new
stadium in 2014," but there is "one
concern for a Super Bowl on Broadway:
The weather, obviously," according to
Gary Myers of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS.
While the stadium is not going to have
a roof, Goodell in his state of the league
address on Friday "gave every
indication he's on board" with the idea.
Goodell: "There are real benefits to the
league considering this as an option."
Some Owners Concerned About Hosting Super He added, "I think the idea of playing
Bowl In New York Stadium Without A Roof
in the elements is central to the way the
game of football is played. I think being able to do that and celebrate the game of football
in the No. 1 market could have tremendous benefits to the league going forward." Myers
noted while Goodell "doesn't have a vote and says he must remain neutral, his
endorsement may be the deciding factor." Patriots Owner Robert Kraft also "will lobby
other owners" for a N.Y. Super Bowl. Kraft: "I hope it's there, I hope it snows and I hope
the Patriots are in the game. I think there is some real support for it. I know I personally
will lobby anyone I can." However, Myers wrote Steelers Chair Emeritus Dan Rooney
"has a big problem with playing the most important game of the year in potentially cold
and nasty weather" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/6). Rooney said, "Are they going to put a roof
on it?" When told that the new stadium would not have a roof, Rooney said, "Then I'm
going to have a problem" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/7). The DAILY NEWS' Myers noted there "will
be a faction of owners who will get hung up on the weather and vote against the Super
Bowl on Broadway, but in the end it's likely that the respect" for late Giants co-Owners
Wellington Mara and Robert Tisch "will get New York the votes" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS,
2/7).
BIGGER IN TEXAS: North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host
Committee President & CEO Bill Lively said that the host
committee for next year's game is "either on schedule or ahead
of schedule in most aspects of preparation and lagging in
none." Lively: "We're not behind on anything that I'm
concerned about." He added, "We know exactly when it's
going to happen and we know how to get there. It's not rocket
science, although it isn't unlike a mini-version of what a
nation goes through to host an Olympics." In Ft. Worth, Ray
Buck noted the committee recently hit the $17M mark in
funds raised for the event and that is "just over the halfway
mark, because the May 2007 winning bid came with a promise
that a record" $30M would be raised. Lively: "We are
confirmed now right at $17[M] in underwriting, which is a
little behind where I wanted to be -- but not by much. Given the economy, I'm OK with
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that." Meanwhile, Buck noted Ft. Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief, Dallas Mayor Tom
Leppert, Arlington Mayor Bob Cluck and Irving Mayor Herbert Gears were in South
Florida for Super Bowl XLIV. They were joined by Arlington Police Chief Theron
Bowman, host committee members Michael Morris and Jeff Fegan and a "couple dozen
host committee staff members, as well as the all-important, $1[M] sponsors of Super
Bowl XLV" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 2/7). Also in Ft. Worth, Kathy Vetter
reported a March 6 concert featuring Faith Hill in Ft. Worth will be the "first of three
events in the Kick-Off Concert Series, which was created to raise funds for Host
Committee activities" and is a "first among Super Bowl host committees." Sting is the
second act of the series in May, and the final performer "has yet to be named"
(STARTELEGRAM.com, 2/5).
A LOT AT STAKE: Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee President Mark Miles
said of Goodell's state of the league address, "We believe what he said ... that there's
essentially too much at stake not to have a Super Bowl in 2012 from the 2011 season."
Indianapolis will host Super Bowl XLVI in '12 unless labor issues prevent the game from
occurring, and Miles said the committee is "doing everything we ought to be doing to run
the game to exceed" the league's expectations. Miles added that Indianapolis officials
have "discussed contingency plans with the NFL if the Super Bowl is pushed back,
potentially several weeks" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/6).
17. NBA OWNERS PUSH FOR SOME ELEMENTS OF HARD CAP, REDUCED SALARIES
NBA owners "have sent their initial proposal" for a new CBA to the
NBPA and are "pushing for some elements of a 'hard' salary cap as well
as a drastic reduction in player salaries," according to sources cited by
Ken Berger of CBSSPORTS.com. A source said that the proposal "seeks
a reduction in the players' share of basketball-related income" from
57% to "well below" 50%. Owners also are seeking "some elements of a
hard cap -- a departure from the current luxury-tax system -- and a
reduction in the length and amount of max contracts." The owners are
"pushing for some elements of a hard cap to replace the current luxury
tax system, in which teams with payrolls above the tax line subsidize
those staying below the limit," which was set at $69.9M this season.
One NBA player agent "called a hard cap 'untenable,' but said the
owners' financial losses [and] a similar request for pay cuts by NFL
owners create a double-whammy of leverage." Management sources
predicted that if the owners "succeed in implementing some version of a hard cap," it
would "drive player salaries down precipitously." Berger noted NBA owners and players
will meet in Dallas this week during All-Star Weekend for their "first face-to-face
bargaining session as they try to reach an agreement before the current deal expires in
2011" (CBSSPORTS.com, 2/6).
REDUCING MAXIMUM SALARIES? ESPN.com's Ric Bucher cited a source as
saying that the owners' proposal includes "rollbacks that could reduce maximum
guaranteed salaries" for players to "almost a third of what they would have been eligible
for under the current agreement." The source said that the "total value for a veteran
maximum deal would be well under" $60M, and "for players currently on rookie
salary-scale deals well under" $50M. Fully-guaranteed maximum deals also "could be a
thing of the past, with the proposal allowing for less than half of any contract to be
guaranteed." Several sources added that the "mid-level exception and other devices that
allow teams over the salary cap to sign free agents also would be abolished," effectively
"creating a hard cap." Bucher wrote "perhaps the biggest shocker" is that the owners'
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proposal includes a "provision that would require any pre-existing deals to be revised to
conform to the new deal's limits." One agent said, "If the top players are united against
[NBA Commissioner David Stern], that's going to make for a tough fight. It could get very
ugly." Several sources said that "presenting a new proposal nearly 18 months in advance
of the current deal's anticipated expiration is unprecedented" (ESPN.com, 2/7).
PLAYERS REACT: Magic C and NBPA First VP Adonal Foyle yesterday called
the owners' latest CBA offer "'unfair' and said the owners' proposed salary rollbacks have
mobilized and united the league's players." Foyle: "Doing that is probably the fatal flaw,
because if there is one way to unite the entire NBA against a single thing it would be to go
after everybody. I think what this proposal has done has done us a favor. It has basically
mobilized all our players. ... Now they have awakened not only the players who have been
constantly involved in these kinds of negotiations, but they've awakened the guys that
would have been on the outside looking in" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/8). Foyle added,
"It's a proposal that's far-reaching. This (new proposal) has gone too far. It wants a hard
cap, it basically will create no middle class" (ESPN.com, 2/7). But Stern said, "At the end
of the day, we have a combined interest with our players to grow the pie to the greatest
extent possible. And then we need a sustained business model to make sure that our
players in effect remain the highest-paid players in professional sports and that our
teams have the opportunity to be profitable" (AP, 2/7).
LOCKOUT LOOMING? In N.Y., Mitch Lawrence wrote the NBA is "awash in red
ink, making the prospects even greater for a lockout starting on July 1, 2011." An
ownership source familiar with franchise finances said teams that are "losing tons of
money this season" include the Hawks, Grizzlies, Pistons, Heat, Magic, Hornets,
Thunder, Pacers, Nets, T'Wolves, Bobcats, Bucks and 76ers. The Mavericks, who are
hosting this week's All-Star Weekend festivities, also are "reportedly in the red." The
source: "Everybody is thinking there's going to be a lockout. The owners are serious
about a lockout. The economics of the present deal just don't work" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS,
2/7).
FREE AGENT IMPACT: In Cleveland, Brian Windhorst wrote a hard cap "levels the
entire playing field and, in fact, could penalize a team that has a player" like LeBron
James. Teams that have players "making huge money ... may not have the options to
surround that player with as much talent." In the short run, the "threat of these measures
virtually guarantees" that big-name free agents "will opt out of their contracts this
summer." It also may "change what they're looking for when they do sign somewhere."
Windhorst: "With the danger of new, less favorable max contract rules, they may instead
look to sign for longer terms to stay grandfathered into the current system" (Cleveland
PLAIN DEALER, 2/7).
18. JEFF VINIK'S DEAL FOR LIGHTNING REPORTEDLY WORTH ABOUT $110M
Prospective Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik
has signed a purchase agreement for the
team, St. Pete Times Forum and 5 1/2 acres
around the arena for what is "believed to be
about" $110M, according to Damian
Cristodero of the ST. PETERSBURG
TIMES. Vinik said that he is "committed to
turning around a franchise that since
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Vinik Declares Commitment To Fixing
Lightning's On, Off-Ice Troubles
winning the 2004 Stanley Cup has lost games, fans and millions of dollars." Vinik: "I will
do everything in my power to bring a world-class organization to the community, both on
the ice and off the ice. I am going to put the resources forth that are necessary to making
this a successful organization." Vinik's "first step was taking over player payroll, an
important stabilizer because of reports the team took an advance on its league revenuesharing fund to meet January's payroll." Cristodero noted "for now, that seems to be the
limit of Vinik's involvement," as he "declined to speculate on potential personnel moves
in the front office or on the ice, saying he is not yet the owner." Meanwhile, Vinik, who
owns Vinik Asset Management, "understands people will look skeptically at his
ownership." He is a "finance guy," and the Lightning are a "distressed property that could
be a buy-low, sell-high investment." However, Vinik said that perception is "wrong, 180
degrees backwards." Vinik: "My business is my business, and I enjoy it. I'm a money
manager, and that's terrific. But this ownership is going to be myself ... and I'm going to
control it 100[%]. I make investments at work. I don't want to make investments here."
Lightning Founder Phil Esposito, who Thursday "had a 15-minute conversation with
Vinik," said Vinik "just seemed like he was committed." Esposito: "He wants to know
what's going on, and that's what I was looking for. It made me very happy." Cristodero
noted Vinik "plans to eventually relocate his wife and four kids" to the Tampa area (ST.
PETERSBURG TIMES, 2/6).
DEAL DETAILS: The ST. PETERSBURG TIMES' Cristodero noted as part of the
sale it is believed former Lightning Owner Palace Sports & Entertainment "took a
percentage of the approximate $97[M] it was owed" by Lightning Owner OK Hockey. It is
believed Galatioto Sports Partners, which helped finance OK Hockey's purchase of the
team, was "paid its $32[M] principal plus interest." Lightning co-Owners Len Barrie and
Oren Koules lost an estimated $60M "between them, though Koules is expected to get
more back from the sale for covering Barrie when he could not meet cash calls" (ST.
PETERSBURG TIMES, 2/6). Meanwhile, the GLOBE & MAIL's David Shoalts cited a
source as saying that Vinik has "not decided who will run the team for him but he expects
to hire a president soon." One candidate "may be former Lightning president Ron
Campbell." Lightning GM Brian Lawton's job "appears to be safe for now." Shoalts wrote
there was a "great deal of motivation" for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to "conclude
the sale of the Lightning as quickly as possible." But selling the Lightning was "difficult"
for Koules because he "did not want to sell a majority share of the club and was unable to
maintain a role in the operation after it became clear Vinik did not want any partners"
(GLOBE & MAIL, 2/6). ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reported Koules "would like to get
back in with another team as a minority partner" ("HNIC," CBC, 2/6).
HANDS-OFF APPROACH: Vinik said of his role with the Lightning, "I am the
owner. I've got to find great people to run the organization. ... I, as the owner, may be
brought in on a couple of things, but I'm not going to run the organization" (ST.
PETERSBURG TIMES, 2/6). Cristodero yesterday noted Vinik "is not going to make any
immediate changes," as he "still has to hire a CEO type to start a top-down evaluation
that will include players and coaches." Meanwhile, the "process of impressing the boss
can begin" for Lawton, who is "connected at the hip to" Koules and whose contract
expires at the end of the season (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 2/7). Vinik participated in
an extensive Q&A (TAMPABAY.com, 2/6).
19. BETTMAN URGES THRASHERS TO STRAIGHTEN OUT OWNERSHIP SITUATION
The Thrashers' struggles are "not going over well" with NHL Commissioner Gary
Bettman, who "views hockey's success in Atlanta as an important part of the big picture
in the NHL," according to Jeff Schultz of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. The Thrashers
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are "failing on several fronts." They rank 28th in the league in attendance as of Sunday,
"averaging 4,000 fans fewer per game in season 10 (13,204, according to inflated
announced figures) than in year one (17,205)." They also have "failed to cultivate new
fans," and have "burned bridges with old ones." Thrashers GM Don Waddell
acknowledged that the team "will fail to meet financial mandates from the league, which
means it will be docked a portion of its take from the NHL's revenue sharing program."
Also, the Thrashers "just traded the face of the franchise," LW Ilya Kovalchuk, to the
Devils, leaving the team "lacking a marketable star." Schultz noted rumors of the team
"being sold and moved are constant." Owner Atlanta Spirit "has acknowledged only that
it has sought to bring in new investors, especially following the expected exit of partner
Steve Belkin." The "uncertainty has made for an unstable atmosphere." Bettman "would
not discuss whether owners have shopped the Thrashers," but he said, "Ultimately, the
ownership situation has to be straightened out. It's difficult to operate a franchise when
owners aren't getting along. It's even more difficult in a recession climate." Bettman
added, "When the ownership situation is resolved, we believe the franchise will be able to
move forward. We're committed to the market. Our track record indicates we do
everything we can do to avoid relocation" (AJC.com, 2/7).
DEVILS WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA: In N.Y., Klein & Hackel wrote the
"introduction of Kovalchuk to the New York news media market could alter the public
perception of the Devils," who are "respected, but too often an afterthought, considered a
very good team, a well-run organization, but bland." In Kovalchuk, the Devils have a
"27-year-old superstar entering his prime athletic years," the "kind of player people will
pay to see and talk about" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/7).
20. FRANCHISE NOTES
In DC, J. Freedom du Lac in a front-page piece noted the Capitals have become DC's
"most buzzworthy team, to the point that people are daring to wonder if this might
someday become a true hockey town." The Capitals have won 14 straight games and have
the best record in the NHL, in addition to a "zesty marketing campaign from franchise
owner Ted Leonsis and a loud, thrill-a-minute fan experience inside" Verizon Center.
While Capitals TV ratings on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic are "nowhere near
Redskins levels," they are up more than 150% since the '07-08 season. And the Capitals
are "selling tickets like mad: Every home game this season has been -- or will be -- sold
out" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/6).
CATCH 22: Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones has "warmed to the idea of having the
Cowboys participate" in next season's Pro Football Hall of Fame game after Emmitt
Smith Saturday was elected for induction in August. The Cowboys last played in the game
in '99, but Jones said, "I was enjoying Emmitt being noted, and I thought, 'I guess I want
these Cowboys to go to Canton and be up there when he's there.' Certainly we could make
that work" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/7).
TOO RICH FOR MY BLOOD: In Boston, Nick Cafardo noted someone will "have to
overpay" for Astros Owner Drayton McLane to sell the franchise. But with the
neighboring Rangers "recently going for about $575 million, it's awfully difficult for any
group to get into the $700 million range in this economy" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/7).
21. CACTUS LEAGUE TEAMS OPPOSE LEGISLATION FOR CUBS' SPRING TRAINING
D'Backs President & CEO Derrick
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Hall said that Cactus League teams are "united in opposing" legislation designed
to help keep the Cubs' Spring Training operations in Mesa, Arizona, according to Nelson
& Walsh of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The legislation "would raise car-rental taxes and
impose a surcharge on spring-training tickets to help pay for a new Cubs stadium and
practice facility." Hall said that the "main objection is to the ticket surcharge because that
would come directly out of fans' pockets." Hall: "It's really a catch-22 because we would
love for the Cubs to stay -- just not at the expense of our fans. The other 13 teams in the
Cactus League feel the same way." Arizona state Rep. John McComish "plans to introduce
the bill" today. McComish Friday said that he "had to rush it into the legislative hopper to
meet a filing deadline." The bill seeks to raise $59M over 20 years to "pay off bonds that
would be issued by the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority to build the Cubs
complex." Mesa for months has said that "keeping the Cubs is essential to the overall
health of the Cactus League." Nelson & Smith noted passing the legislation is "one of
several milestones that must be reached under an agreement signed" last month by Mesa
and the Cubs. Mesa Mayor Scott Smith "defended the Cubs legislation in a news briefing
Friday after" White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdorf "expressed opposition to the plan." Smith
said that the White Sox "enjoy a publicly funded stadium in Chicago." Smith: "The irony
is delicious" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/6).
HOME IMPROVEMENTS: ESPN CHICAGO's Bruce Levine noted Wrigley Field is
getting a "much-needed face-lift" this offseason. A "newly renovated home clubhouse is
part of the construction going on at the fabled ballpark under the watchful eye of the
Ricketts family." A "brand-new players lounge with major-league comfort levels is part of
the construction in the area of the clubhouse where the weight room and cardio room
once existed." The team also is "building a mirrored opening on the back end of the
right-field wall with the intention of allowing fans outside of the park to watch Cubs
players take batting practice under the right-field stands." The window "will be open on
Sheffield Ave. as part of a plaza the Cubs are building, which will also access their
Sheffield Grill, the restaurant that will be open to the public before and after games." In
addition, the team is "promising to upgrade" the food products at the
ballpark. Meanwhile, the Cubs "will announce a new marketing campaign that will be
introduced" this week, "focusing on the future while retaining the culture of the
past" (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 2/5).
THE SUITE LIFE: CRAIN'S CHICAGO
BUSINESS' Ed Sherman reports the Cubs will soon
unveil a "new executive club at Wrigley Field." Cubs
Exec VP and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Wally
Hayward said that they are "just waiting to wrap up
any loose ends with the presenting sponsor." The club
"will be located in suites 1-6 down the leftfield line,
overlooking the Cubs bullpen." There will be "71 season
tickets sold for the club and the package will include
food and beverage." It will cost $24,300, "with the
buyer purchasing a minimum of two seats." Hayward
said that the club is "designed to attract businesses
who want to entertain clients but can't afford or need
an entire suite" (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 2/8).
GREEN SCREEN: CRAIN'S CHICAGO
Cubs Still Considering Ad Signs BUSINESS' Sherman reports the Cubs "still are
Behind Left Field Bleachers
considering placing advertising signs behind the seats
in the leftfield bleachers." The team in November "erected two large green boards in the
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bleachers." The boards "were down last week, but that doesn't mean the Cubs have
abandoned their plan to put up fully sponsored" signs. Hayward said there is "a lot of
interest" from potential advertisers. The Cubs said that "any proposed signs wouldn't
conflict with their agreements with rooftop owners." However, the signs "would block out
TV camera angles that show an ad for Horseshoe Casino in a building across the street."
The Cubs "aren't happy with that ad" (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 2/8).
22. FACILITY NOTES
In Miami, Armando Salguero wrote the proposed installation of a roof over Sun Life
Stadium is "such a terrible idea on so many levels, it boggles the mind." Salguero:
"Aesthetically the roof is, well, horrendous. ... Next, there is a question whether a recently
added roof would actually remain on the stadium in case of some unforeseen natural
phenomenon -- like hurricanes." Meanwhile, Salguero noted the roof will be "funded only
one of two ways." Salguero: "An unexpected benefactor comes forward. Or our elected
officials and their lobbyist friends go into backroom-deal mode to circumvent the public's
will and trust" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/6).
PARKING PROBLEMS: In San Diego, Matthew Hall noted if the Chargers build a
new stadium downtown, the "tailgating traditions of tens of thousands of fans" would "go
up in smoke." There is "not enough room on the stadium site being studied in the East
Village for a big parking lot, let alone one to rival the asphalt oasis at Qualcomm
Stadium," and parking spaces available for tailgating would "decrease dramatically, from
19,000 to 1,000." Hall wrote the loss of tailgating "could arguably be the biggest change
facing fans if the Chargers move across town" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/6).
FOOD FIGHT: In Phoenix, Mike Sunnucks reported the Arizona Sports & Tourism
Authority (AZSTA) is "rebuffing requests by concessions vendor Centerplate for the
chance to bid again on a new" $26M contract for the concessions business at Univ. of
Phoenix Stadium. The AZSTA awarded the contract to Rojo Hospitality, a new business
set up by the NFL Cardinals to handle concessions at the stadium beginning in August.
But Centerplate "wants the bid process to be redone." Centerplate attorney Marc Silver
Thursday in a letter to the AZSTA said that the "advantages cited by AZSTA in picking
Rojo improperly included money promised from areas outside the stadium." But AZSTA
General Counsel Sarah Strunk Friday wrote to Centerplate and said that Rojo
"guaranteed additional revenue, while Centerplate said it would look for additional
revenue" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/5).
23. WHO ARE YOU? ROCK BAND’S PERFORMANCE GENERATES MIXED REVIEWS
The Who during their Super Bowl XLIV halftime performance had “little trouble
rising to the big, televised occasion,” but what the band "didn't do was lay to rest the
suspicion that the Super Bowl halftime needs some reinvention," according to Sean
Piccoli of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. Nothing about the Who's 14-minute
performance “embarrassed CBS and the NFL, which had taken some grief for picking yet
another ancient rock band.” The Who opened with a piece of "Pinball Wizard," which was
“so truncated it barely qualified as an ‘ahem.’” "Baba O'Riley" got a “more complete and
satisfying run-through.” From there the band “segued cleanly into 'Who Are You,' then a
coda from the rock opera ‘Tommy’ and finally ‘Won't Get Fooled Again.'" The latter did
“extra duty as a plug for another CBS property: ‘CSI,’ the prime-time crime-solving
franchise that uses the song as theme music.” The staging “was smart” -- “almost
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minimalistic, with the band playing atop a circular, lighted disc whose individual pieces
sloped down to the turf” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 2/8). In N.Y., Jon Pareles
writes while it looked as if the halftime show's producers were "worried that the rock
geezers ... might not look heroic enough to the camera," The Who "still had the stadium
shouting along on choruses." Guitarist Pete Townshend "put full force into his famous
windmilling guitar chords" -- echoed by the halftime show's light display. Roger Daltrey
"belted as if he wouldn't mind being hoarse for the next week or two," and their backup
musicians "hit hard, as Townshend and Daltrey pumped their fists" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/8).
LOVE, REIGN O'ER ME: In N.Y., Dan Aquilante writes the Super Bowl "finally
found its soundtrack with The Who, whose halftime show provided music as big and loud
as the game itself." From Townshend's "famous windmill strumming to Roger Daltrey's
pained vocals and harmonica blasts, there were no fumbles in the five-song set" (N.Y.
POST, 2/8). In West Palm Beach, Carlos Frias writes give Townshend and Daltrey "all the
credit due a pair of legendary Rock 'N Roll sexagenarians: They put on an electric and
visually stunning show." It was a "15-minute display of lights and talent as Townshend
wowed the crowd with his still-fine guitar fingering and Daltrey wailed into his
harmonica" (PALM BEACH POST, 2/8). The AP's Frazier Moore wrote despite the
halftime show's "brevity, it was a big, warm, enjoyable show, and The Who looked right at
home." The show's "staging helped, with plenty of pyrotechnics, laser pinstripes slicing
the Sun Life Stadium, and illuminated eruptions dousing the arena" (AP, 2/7). In Miami,
Adam Beasley writes The Who "proved it could still play a mean pinball," as the band
"filled Sun Life Stadium with a wave of sound during the Super Bowl halftime show,
blasting through their five-song, 12-minute set" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/8). In St.
Petersburg, Tom Jones wrote, "Count me as a fan of the show as they plowed through a
medley of some of their greatest hits" (TAMPABAY.com, 2/7).
EMINENCE FRONT: In Houston, Andrew Dansby writes while Townshend "offered
a succinct master class as to why he's one of rock's most important and innovative
guitarists, the band's set was shouty and reliant on its legend" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE,
2/8). In Phoenix, Larry Rodgers writes Daltrey "looked sharp in a striped jacket and
glasses, but he skipped all the high notes" in "Pinball Wizard." Meanwhile, Townshend
"looked grizzled in a fedora and sunglasses," and he "played well on his Fender
Stratocaster throughout most of the mini-set" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/8). On Long
Island, Glenn Gamboa writes though Daltrey has "lost a few notes off the top of his
register and Pete Townshend's trademark windmill moves rotate a bit slower, they still
delivered some fire" (NEWSDAY, 2/8). In Boston, Jed Gottlieb writes at first the halftime
show "seemed like it would be disastrous," as neither Daltrey nor Townshend were
"hitting their notes on the shaky, one-minute excerpt from 'Pinball Wizard' and the entire
sound was mighty thin." But the band then "jumped its storied trifecta and suddenly
Daltrey could sing and Townshend was brilliantly, jaggedly, frenetically slashing at his
guitar" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/8).
IT'S NOT ENOUGH: In Chicago, Jim DeRogatis writes the NFL since '04 has
"turned to an increasingly hoary roster of classic rockers well past their prime to crank
out their dustiest hits during halftime-nostalgic blasts from the pasts," and yesterday, the
Super Bowl "gave us the saddest, most tired musical spectacle yet: the band that pretends
to be the Who." The Who "hasn't really been the Who for 20 years now," and the newest
song on the band's set list was "32 years old." Townshend and Daltrey were "woefully flat
and way out of sync during the unison vocal parts, and they relied on empty theatrics to
convey the musical energy." The "lasers, fireworks, geysers of flame and an elaborate
illuminated stage ... couldn't disguise the fact that these were two grizzled old pros going
through the motions for a high-profile payday" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 2/8). In Dallas,
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Tom Maurstad writes, "Almost immediately, it was clear this would not be a
time-machine trip back to the band's ... glory days." Daltrey "sounded strained," and
Townshend "looked and sounded desperate" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/8).
WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN: In New Orleans, Keith Spera writes The Who was a
"curious choice for 2010." Spera: "No Super Bowl halftime performance in recent
memory has felt so much like a time warp. ... Perhaps it is only coincidence that the Who
supplies the theme music for the three 'CSI' franchises" (New Orleans TIMESPICAYUNE, 2/8). In Chicago, Greg Kot wrote The Who's "set list played like a
compendium of TV commercials from the last decade as much as a classic-rock primer"
(CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 2/7). In L.A., Todd Martens wrote, "If not a wholly obvious
choice -- the Who have not been on the promotional circuit in a couple years -- the Who
were a relatively safe one." Martens: "Chosen, perhaps, by default, as one of the few
(only?) giant boomer bands to have not yet received the Super Bowl stamp of approval,
the Who weren't heading into the halftime show" as a "band of surprises." The Who
"energetically went largely without gimmicks and shtick during its brief mini concert"
(LATIMES.com, 2/7).
SEE ME, FEEL ME: ESPN.com's Lynn Hoppes reports Daltrey "didn't really care
for his experience singing" during the Super Bowl. Daltrey, who "doesn't hide the fact
that he isn't a fan of American football, thought the whole idea of signing a medley of
classic rock songs in 12 minutes at halftime of a sporting event 'a little strange.'" Daltrey:
"It didn't even feel like a concert. It's a television show. And what can you do in 12
minutes?" Hoppes writes The Who's performance was "solid with pedestrian fireworks
and a lot of simplistic lasers, and there was nothing special." The show was "quite safe."
Daltrey: "I thought it went OK. I understand. It's a TV show. Cameras were everywhere. I
was so blinded that I couldn't see. And I really wished the crowd would have gotten into
signing the songs with us more" (ESPN.com, 2/8).
OPENING ACT: The SUN-SENTINEL's Piccoli writes singing "America The
Beautiful" and the National Anthem before the Super Bowl "calls for a burst of patriotic
spirit," and Queen Latifah and Carrie Underwood "handled that task ably on Sunday if
not with distinction." Latifah's "America The Beautiful" was "handsome but stoic, as if
she were trying to dampen the rhythmic instincts she employs when rapping or singing
jazz." Meanwhile, Underwood sang the National Anthem "with a radiance that could be
called predictable," as she "showed it reverence and hit the notes, but with no extra
charge or personality" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 2/8). USA TODAY's Tim
Gardner writes Underwood "belted out a stunning rendition of 'The Star-Spangled
Banner'" (USA TODAY, 2/8). In California, John Maffei writes Underwood's rendition
was "fine, but nothing spectacular." Meanwhile, Latifah's rendition of "American The
Beautiful" was "horrible." Maffei: "On the biggest stage, it was one of the worst I've ever
heard" (NORTH COUNTY TIMES, 2/8). NEWSDAY's Gamboa writes Queen Latifah
"struggled with the opening of 'America The Beautiful,'" and Carrie Underwood "had a
tough time with the final notes of the national anthem" (NEWSDAY, 2/8).
24. PARTY IN THE MIA: ATHLETES, CELEBS WRAP UP SUPER BOWL PARTIES
Sunday night wrapped up a week of Super Bowl parties in South Florida. THE DAILY
takes one last look at this year's festivities.
GETTING IN THE GAME: In Ft. Lauderdale, Clary & Trischitta write, "Two of
America's favorite obsessions -- sport and celebrity -- collided with a star-studded bang
on the gridiron Sunday night when Super Bowl XLIV capped a weeklong South Florida
fiesta." Dolphins limited partners Fergie and Emilio and Gloria Estefan were among
the celebs spotted at last night's game. Dolphins investor Marc Anthony also attend the
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game with his wife, Jennifer Lopez. In addition, actors Brad Pitt, Ashton Kutcher
and Democratic strategist James Carville were seen at Sun Life Stadium (South
Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 2/8). Actors Angelina Jolie, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock,
Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Hillary Swank, Cameron Diaz, Jessica Alba, David
Caruso and Jim Carrey were scheduled to attend yesterday's Super Bowl. President
Bill Clinton was expected to attend but did not (PAGE2LIVE.com, 2/7). Former NBAer
Scottie Pippen, Rev. Jesse Jackson, actor Rob Lowe, director Spike Lee, Venus
Williams and reality TV star Kendra Wilkinson, wife of Colts WR Hank Baskett, also
attended the game (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/8). Former U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice was among the many celebs visiting the sidelines during pregame
warm-ups yesterday (CLEVELAND.com, 2/7). Dolphins CEO Mike Dee, Dolphins
Senior VP/Corporate Partnerships & Integrated Media Jim Rushton, tennis players
Serena and Venus Williams were spotted at a pre-Super Bowl party at the Viceroy
Hotel (BOSTON HERALD, 2/8).
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, coach Wade Phillips
and actress Jessica Simpson were seen at the Maxim party (NYDAILYNEWS.com,
2/7)....Colts Owner Jim Irsay held a pre-Super Bowl party at Fairmont's Turnberry Isle
Resort & Club in Miami. Tables were "covered in blue and white, there was a pile of
shrimp surrounding an ice sculpture with the word 'AFC Champion,' and garnish around
the buffet included food piled in the shapes of horseshoes." The banquet room's lighting
was "blue, and several Colts cheerleaders dropped by in white fringe chaps and boots."
Musicians John Mellencamp and Stephen Stills and NBC's Tony Dungy were
among the guests (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/8)....The CAA party at Wall at the W South
Beach had "everyone up and dancing on banquettes." Giants QB Eli Manning and
tennis player Andy Roddick were in attendance (HERALD.com, 2/7).
FRIDAY NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and
Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee Chair Mark Miles attended an event in Ft.
Lauderdale called the "Friday Night" party, known informally as "The Commissioner's
Party." Miles: "I must say this is a real bash. It is not the rowdiest party ever, but it is
extraordinary for its decor and scale." Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, his wife,
Winnie, and Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee President Allison Melangton
also attended the party (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/6)....ESPN for its ESPN The
Magazine's NEXT Super Bowl Party "went all out, taking over the incredibly spacious and
swanky pool area in the back of the Fontainebleau Hotel." Getting into the party was
"incredibly difficult," and there were "easily 2,500 people" at the bash
(NYDAILYNEWS.com, 2/7). Singers Keri Hilson and Ne-Yo performed at the ESPN
party while Lions QB Matt Stafford, Texans DE Mario Williams, 49ers TE Vernon
Davis, Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, Eagles QB Donovan McNabb, Bills WR
Terrell Owens, Dolphins OT Jake Long and projected No. 1 NFL draft pick DT
Ndamukong Suh were among the attendees. Singers Usher and Chris Brown also
were in attendance (ESPN.com, 2/6)....Agent Leigh Steinberg's party was "tucked away
in some sort of shopping center/casino complex half-way between Fort Lauderdale and
Miami." Most of the guests were "wearing a giant VIP badge around their neck covered in
corporate advertisements." The party was "catered to the retired, male snowbird set."
Meanwhile, Friday's "Leather & Laces" party was the "go-to party of the evening in Miami
Beach" (WSJ.com, 2/6)....Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez and SS Derek Jeter were
spotted at the Tao party at the W South Beach (HERALD.com, 2/7).
25. U.S., CANADA TEAMING UP ON SECURITY FOR VANCOUVER OLYMPICS
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The Vancouver Olympics, "perhaps unlike any other recent Olympics, highlight an
unusually close relationship" between the U.S. and Canada for which security "has
become a binational responsibility," according to a cover story by Kevin Johnson of USA
TODAY. Vancouver Games Head of Security Ward Elcock said that Canada "plans to
spend about $900[M] to keep the Games safe." And Vancouver's proximity to the United
States also "has spurred an extensive security effort on the U.S. side, much of it focused
on an 80-mile stretch of the Northwest border from the Pacific Coast to the western
slopes of the rugged Cascade Range." U.S. Olympic-related security efforts include the
U.S. Coast Guard, Navy and the Canadian Navy forming a "protective force stretching
from the Canadian coast to Puget Sound," and the binational North American Aerospace
Defense Command enforcing a "30-mile airspace restriction around Vancouver and parts
of the USA." U.S. Department of Homeland Security Olympics Security Committee
Federal Coordinator Mark Beaty said that the department is "dispatching up to 200 more
federal agents, inspectors and Coast Guard personnel to the northern border, including
an elite Border Patrol search-and-rescue unit." Former FBI agent Ray Mey, who
"organized Olympic security details" at the '02 Salt Lake City Games and the '06 Turin
Games, said that U.S. preparations for an Olympics outside the U.S. are "unusually
detailed -- but necessary, given the Games' proximity to the U.S. border." Mey added that
Canada "may be a 'bigger target' than other recent host cities because of its political
alliance" with the U.S. Canadian and U.S. authorities said that there are "no credible
threats against the Vancouver games." But Johnson notes U.S. officials "acknowledge
fresh urgency in their preparations, prompted in part by intelligence failures in the
botched Christmas Day bombing of a commercial airliner over Detroit" (USA TODAY,
2/8).
PROTESTS EXPECTED: NBC News' Jim Maceda reported the "bigger challenge
now" for VANOC is security. The "cost of protecting athletes and spectators" is
approaching $1B, and the possibility of protests "are also a big concern." There is an
"umbrella group calling itself The Olympic Resistance Network" that is planning
to march on B.C. Place, where the Opening Ceremony will take place Friday night.
Maceda: "They're saying that this will be peaceful and non-violent. The police are telling
us that if it turns unlawful and violent that they're not going to hesitate to move and
break that up" ("Today," NBC, 2/6).
26. OLYMPIC NOTES: ATHLETES CAN USE SOCIAL NETWORK SITES AFTER ALL
U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn posted on her Facebook page Friday, "Contrary to what I was
told it turns out that I am allowed to continue to tweet and facebook during the
Olympics!! Yay!! I have to follow very specific rules though:( Did you guys really think
you were going to get rid of me that easily?!" (FACEBOOK.com, 2/5). WIRED's Mark
McClusky noted Vonn last week on her Twitter account said that she "would not be
posting" on the site again until after the Vancouver Games were over, "perhaps on a
faulty understanding" of the IOC's rules on blogging and social networking. Vonn wrote,
"Because of the Olympic rules (blackout period) I will not be able to post any updates
from now until march 3rd." USOC Dir of Media Services Bob Condron said that there is
"no Olympic rule that sets up a blackout period for athletes." Condron: "Athletes are free
to blog during the Games. And Twitter is just a blog that's written 140 characters at a
time." McClusky noted the "most significant restriction on athlete posts is a ban on
references to sponsors or advertisers who aren't official Olympic partners." Vonn's
Facebook page, which includes pictures of her "wearing logos of sponsors like Red Bull
and Sprint, could break those rules, and be part of the reason for her break from posting"
(WIRED.com, 2/5).
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2/8/10 2:12 PM
READY FOR AN AMBUSH: The NATIONAL POST's Hollie Shaw noted Coca-Cola,
an IOC TOP sponsor, is "unhappy with Pepsi's efforts to mount a new Team Canada
hockey cheer at the recent World Junior Hockey Championship, concerned that the rival
beverage giant, which sponsors Hockey Canada, is attempting to encourage consumers to
use the cheer at Olympic hockey games in Vancouver." Coca-Cola Canada Dir of Public
Affairs & Communications David Moran Moran said VANOC is "looking into it," and
added, "Any attempt to capitalize on the Games without official sponsorship does a
disservice both to athletes and to Olympic fans." Moran: "Our research indicates that we
are one of the best-recognized Canadian sponsors of the Olympics, and we are confident
that consumers will see through any competitive attempt" (NATIONAL POST, 2/6).
FASHION FRENZY: The GLOBE & MAIL's Deirdre Kelly reported the "streamlined
zip-front jackets and body-hugging cap-sleeve tops" that the Canada curling team will be
sporting during the Olympics are a "far cry from the fusty uniforms of old." The
outfits, designed by Winnipeg-based Mondetta Clothing, are "emblazoned with a stylized
maple leaf and the word Canada in big, bold letters." The uniforms "boast chic colour
combos of red, white and black and slimmer silhouettes than in the past." Mondetta
President & CEO Ash Modha said that "sales of a replica line have been unusually brisk
across the country." Modha "attributes its popularity to curling's new 'geek chic' factor"
(GLOBE & MAIL, 2/6).
ACCESS DENIED: In Vancouver, Katie Mercer noted as Olympic protesters begin
amassing in Vancouver, "critics of the Games are facing tougher hurdles crossing the
U.S.-Canada border." No2010 spokesperson Chris Shaw said that No Games Chicago
member Martin Macias was "interrogated before being denied entry into Canada" on
Saturday. Macias indicated that the questioning was "brutal and went on for quite a long
time." Shaw: "This was the kind of stuff we saw in China and we were told it wasn't going
to happen here and here it's happening in our country" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 2/7).
27. EXECUTIVE TRANSACTIONS
The Seahawks promoted Dir of Pro Personnel WILL LEWIS to VP/Football
Operations. Scout TAG RIBARY was promoted to Lewis' old position, and the team
named NFL Panthers scout TRENT KIRCHNER Assistant Dir of Pro Personnel
(SEATTLEPI.com, 2/5)….The Eagles hired former Browns GM PHIL SAVAGE as a
player personnel consultant for the '10 NFL Draft (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER,
2/5)….Jets Dir of Media Relations DAVID TRATNER left his position with the club
(THE DAILY).
EXECS: The NTRA named Stevenson & Associates Consultant BARKLEY
PORTER VP/Sales & Business Development. He replaces FRITZ WIDAMAN, who left
for a position with the Daily Racing Form (BLOODHORSE.com, 2/4)….Northwestern
Univ. named Bowling Green State Univ. Senior Associate AD & Senior Woman
Administrator JANNA BLAIS to the same position (Northwestern)….The CFL
Winnipeg Blue Bombers hired ESPN Pro Scout KEN MOLL as Dir of Player Personnel
(Blue Bombers)….USA Volleyball appointed JOY MCKIENZIE-FUERBRINGER to its
BOD (USA Volleyball)….Learfield Sports named Mizzou Sports Properties Account Exec
BRANDEN MILLER GM for its newly formed Missouri Valley Conference Sports
Properties (Learfield Sports).
Do you have an executive announcement? If so, please send to
[email protected].
28. NAMES IN THE NEWS
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2/8/10 2:12 PM
In New Jersey, Andrew Tangel wrote "no one
knows" whether Dolphins Owner STEPHEN
ROSS -- who the NJSEA last week confirmed is in
talks to take over Xanadu -- "can salvage" the
project. But many "suggest Ross has what it takes
to make Xanadu work." Investment firm Eastdil
Secured LLC Chair BEN LAMBERT said Ross is
a "big picture guy" who "knows how to pick the
right people to carry out the plan." Ross' Related
Cos. has "grown into a company with more than
2,000 employees and has developed more than
$20[B] worth of real estate and owns properties
valued at more than" $15B. Forbes estimated Ross' Ross In Talks To Take Over Troubled
Xanadu Project In New Jersey
personal fortune at $2.9B, and he was "ranked the
110th richest American in September" (Bergen RECORD, 2/7).
WHO'S THE BOSS? Skateboarder TONY HAWK contributed to Sunday's N.Y.
TIMES' "The Boss" feature, noting he started Birdhouse Projects in '92 and started Hawk
Clothing in '98 before selling it to Quiksilver. Hawk also noted he formed Tony Hawk Inc.
in '98, adding, "Now it has five divisions: merchandising, endorsements, events, film and
digital media." Hawk wrote, "I didn't attend college, but I've never regretted it because
skating presented such a great opportunity. I traveled extensively. I experienced so many
things that I otherwise wouldn't have, and I was exposed to so much culture" (N.Y.
TIMES, 2/7).
SLOWLY BUT SURELY: The developers of Punta Brava, a new project in Mexico
that includes a golf course designed by TIGER WOODS, said that the "permitting
process has moved more slowly than they expected, but they count on breaking ground
this year and opening in 2012." The developers added that they have "maintained their
close working relationship with Woods." Punta Brava's "financial backer" is former
Spurs, Nuggets and Vikings Owner RED MCCOMBS (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE,
2/7)
NAMES: The Hornets hosted a telethon during Friday's home game against the 76ers
to "raise money for Haiti earthquake relief efforts." Fans inside New Orleans Arena,
"watching on TV or listening on the radio were asked to call in and donate money to the
American Red Cross" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 2/6)....Penske Racing Owner
ROGER PENSKE has donated 40 flatbed trucks to use in the relief efforts in Haiti (AP,
2/6)....UFC President DANA WHITE hung out with UFC fighter CHUCK LIDDELL
on Friday at Wasted Space at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. White "surprised the
crowd by giving away 60 tickets to UFC 109" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL,
2/7)....Former Samsung Chair LEE-KUN HEE yesterday was reinstated as a "full
member" of the IOC, a "boost for South Korea's bid to host" the '18 Winter Games. Lee's
rights were "restored by the IOC executive board, although the IOC also gave him a
public reprimand for tarnishing the Olympic movement and banned him from serving on
any IOC commissions for five years." Lee "voluntarily gave up his IOC rights after being
indicted in 2008 in a financial and tax evasion case" (AP, 2/7)....Padres Vice Chair & CEO
JEFF MOORAD Saturday attended former Massachusetts Gov. MICHAEL
DUKAKIS' speech at the City Club of San Diego (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/7).
IN MEMORY: BRENDAN BURKE, the youngest son of Maple Leafs Exec VP &
GM BRIAN BURKE, died Friday at the age of 21 in a car accident in Indiana (GLOBE &
MAIL, 2/6).
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29. OVERNIGHT NIELSEN RATINGS FROM WEEKEND SPORTS TELECASTS
The chart below lists overnight Nielsen ratings from weekend sports telecasts. Ratings
for CBS broadcasts from Saturday were unavailable at presstime due to adverse weather
in select markets (THE DAILY).
SHOW
DATE NET
TIME
RAT.
NASCAR Sprint Cup: Daytona 500 Qualifying
2/6
Fox
1:00-3:00pm
1.6
NASCAR Sprint Cup: Budweiser Shootout
2/6
Fox 8:00-11:00pm
4.1
Winter Dew Tour: Toyota Championship
2/6
NBC 12:00-3:00pm
1.1
PGA Tour: Northern Trust Open: Third Round
2/6
NBC 3:00-6:00pm
1.6
NBA: Magic-Celtics
2/7
ABC
2.1
"Road to the Super Bowl"
2/7
CBS 12:00-1:00pm
2.5
"The Phil Simms All-Iron Team: Super Bowl Edition"
2/7
CBS
1:00-2:00pm
3.1
"The Super Bowl Today"
2/7
CBS
2:00-3:00pm
5.0
2/7
CBS
3:00-4:00pm
6.4
2/7
CBS
4:00-5:00pm
8.2
2/7
CBS
5:00-5:30pm
11.7
2/7
CBS
5:30-6:00pm
16.4
"Hyundai Kickoff Show"
2/7
CBS
6:00-6:30pm
30.3
Super Bowl XLIV: Saints-Colts
2/7
CBS
6:30-9:45pm
46.4
Intel Super Bowl Postgame Show
2/7
CBS 9:45-10:15pm
37.6
"Undercover Boss"
2/7
CBS 10:15-11:15pm 20.3
NHL: Penguins-Capitals
2/7
NBC 12:00-2:30pm
1.3
PGA Tour: Northern Trust Open: Final Round
2/7
NBC 2:30-6:00pm
1.9
2:30-5:15pm
30. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
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2/8/10 2:12 PM
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2/8/10 2:12 PM
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2/8/10 2:12 PM
Increase your company's exposure in the sport business marketplace and get your
message in front of the industry's top executives. For more information on placing a
classified in SportsBusiness Daily, please contact Heather Taylor at 704-973-1525 or
44 of 45
2/8/10 2:12 PM
[email protected].
31. SBJ IN-DEPTH: FORTY UNDER 40
If it’s movers and shakers you want, this is the issue for you. In one of the
most-anticipated issues of the year, SportsBusiness Journal will reveal 40 up-andcoming executives who are quickly establishing themselves as major players. Members of
this year’s Forty Under 40 class cut across every segment of the sports business and have
demonstrated early on that they have the acumen to make moves that are felt inside and
outside their office walls. Publishing Date: March 8 Close: Feb. 22 Materials Close:
Feb. 24.
For information on advertising contact National Ad Director, Julie Tuttle at 212 500
0711 or [email protected].
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Transcription

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