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The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network: Sonics’ Lawyers Ask That Schultz Suit Be Dismissed
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network: Dion Phaneuf Selected for Cover of EA Sports "NHL 09"
Sports Bash: NASCAR on TNT Live: Comments and Interviews from the Toyota/Save Mart 350 from Infineon Raceway in Sonoma
Sonics’ Lawyers Ask That Schultz Suit Be Dismissed
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
The litigation surrounding the Seattle SuperSonics’ attempt to relocate took another twist this week when the team’s lawyers asked that Howard Schultz’s lawsuit against Clay Bennett’s Oklahoma-based ownership group be dismissed. Schultz’s suit suggests that the court should place the team in a trust, where it could be sold to a group who would promise to keep the Sonics in Seattle. However, the team’s attorneys argue that Schultz’s case is “fatally flawed”. As reported by the Seattle Post Intelligencer: Additionally, the team says too much water has passed under the bridge to nullify the sale of ...
Game 1 of NBA Finals was Highest Rated Series Opener Since 2004
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
ABC’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals saw a 54 percent increase in total viewership over last season’s Game 1 between the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers, while the 18-49 demo rating was up 28 percent. As reported by Mediaweek: The opening game of the NBA Finals in which the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers on ABC last night (June 5) drew 9.5 million viewers and earned a 3.7 adults 18-49 rating, the best showing for an opening game of the NBA Finals since 2004, according to Nielsen Media Research data. The telecast helped ABC score its highest rating on Thursday night ...
Sonics Owner: Team Would Lose $60M if it Stayed
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
During a 13-hour deposition obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, Sonics owner Clay Bennett described the unfortunate financial situation he would be in should U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman rule that the team play out the remaining two seasons on its KeyArena lease. As reported by ESPN: The Sonics owner says his team would make almost $20 million if it played in Oklahoma City during the next two years. He suggests the team will lose more than $60 million -- about 20 percent of what he paid for it -- if it stays in Seattle for two more "lame duck" seasons. The testimony shows the ...
Suns Hire Pistons Assistant Porter to Be Next Head Coach
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
After a month-long search to find Mike D’Antoni’s successor, the Phoenix Suns have finally found their man in Pistons assistant Terry Porter, who is expected to sign a three-year deal worth about $7 million. A news conference is expected early next week. As reported by ESPN: "He's got a great combination of leadership skills," [Suns general manager Steve] Kerr said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "He's a great communicator. And his coaching experience, two years as a head coach, is important to me. The fact that he's sat in that chair, that was a key factor. He's very ...
AEG Reaches 5-Year Agreement with Blazers to Run Rose Garden Arena
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
AEG Facilities has entered into a five-year venue management services agreement with the Rose Quarter, both parties announced today. Financial terms were not released. The agreement, announced by Bob Newman, Chief Operating Officer, AEG Facilities and Mike Golub , Chief Operating Officer for the Portland Trail Blazers, will take effect July 1. “We are extremely excited to partner with AEG, the fastest-growing facility management group and one of the most dynamic sports and entertainment companies in the World,” Golub said. “AEG brings an unparalleled collection of assets, resources, experience and expertise. This partnership will bring ...
Judge Rules on Motions Filed in Sonics Trial
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman ruled on several motions filed from both sides of the Sonics trial on Monday, including what the Sonics’ attorneys can and cannot present as evidence. As reported by The Seattle Times: In her written ruling, Pechman said she would not restrict the team's ability "to determine which evidence it chooses to present" during the six-day trial. This means that Sonics’ attorneys can introduce evidence of the time and money owner Clay Bennett spent in attempt to find a new arena deal in the Seattle area. The Sonics’ attorneys will also be ...
Dion Phaneuf Selected for Cover of EA Sports "NHL 09"
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network —
Electronic Arts Inc. announced yesterday that Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf will be the cover athlete and spokesman for NHL® 09. With just three NHL seasons under his belt, Dion Phaneuf has been nominated for the 2007-2008 Norris Trophy, is a two-time All-Star, and has put up 159 points thus far in his short NHL career. Phaneuf is joined by some of the NHL’s biggest international stars on packaging across Europe, including Alexander Ovechkin (Russia) and Daniel Alfredsson (Sweden). NHL 09 is being developed under the EA SPORTS™ brand by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C and will be available worldwide this September. “It is an incredible honor to ...
Pistons Name Michael Curry as Head Coach
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team has named Michael Curry as head coach, signing him to a multi-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed. “We are pleased to name Michael Curry as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons,” said Dumars. “Michael has been a proven leader throughout his NBA career as a player, administrator and assistant coach. Given his strong knowledge of the game and tireless work ethic, we feel he is the right person to lead our team. Michael understands the culture of our franchise and its expectations.” ...
Ex-Ref Donaghy Claims NBA Playoff Games Were Altered. See Video of David Stern’s Response
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
Tim Donaghy, the ex-NBA referee who admitted to gambling on games he worked, has now said that two NBA officials altered the outcome of playoff games, and were also told to not issue flagrant fouls or eject star players as it would hurt ticket sales. The bombshell news was released in a court document filed Tuesday by Donaghy’s lawyer, John Lauro. As reported by the New York Daily News: According to the document, he told FBI agents, "League officials would tell referees they should withhold calling technical fouls on certain star players because doing so hurt ticket sales and television ratings." Donaghy claims he ...
NHL 2K9, First Officially Lisenced Game by NHL and NHLPA for Wii, Coming this Fall
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network —
2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc, yesterday announced that the next iteration of NHL 2K9, will be coming to the Wii console from Nintendo this fall. NHL 2K9 will be the first and only officially licensed NHL and NHLPA video game for Wii, allowing players to use the Wii Remote controller as a hockey stick. Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash will grace the cover. “Nintendo is thrilled to have 2K Sports’ NHL 2K9 on the Wii platform this season,” said Steve Singer, VP of Licensing at Nintendo of America Inc. “This title has been highly anticipated by our Wii consumers who will now be able to use ...
Tim Donaghy’s Tales
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
I don't believe Tim Donaghy's assertion that NBA executives deliberately and maliciously altered the outcome of two playoff series; it strains credulity that such a large conspiracy could have taken place without already being exposed and it also strains credulity that the people who run the NBA would risk the credibility of a multibillion dollar enterprise for the sake of making a playoff series last longer or so that one team would beat another team. It is pretty obvious what is really going on here: the NBA asked the court to force Donaghy to pay the league $1 million in restitution, so he is trying to smear the league's name so that he will not have to ...
NASCAR on TNT Live: Comments and Interviews from the Toyota/Save Mart 350 from Infineon Raceway in Sonoma
Sports Bash —
The following are comments and interviews from NASCAR on TNT Live crew for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Sonoma. TheToyota/Save Mart 350 from Infineon Raceway
Announcers: Marc Fein, Larry McReynolds and Kyle Petty
Petty on Jeff Gordon’s early season struggles: “I think last year they caught a lot of breaks, starting with the (rain shortened) first TNT race at Pocono. If he has a connection with the weatherman I can’t race against that. This year they’re not catching any breaks.”
This week’s Pride of NASCAR series featured 94-year ...
Olympic Free Agents?
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
Unsurprisingly, Becky Hammon, a ten year WNBA veteran and four time All Star, will be playing in the Beijing Olympics. But what is surprising is the South Dakota native, often described as the typical “All American Girl,” will be suiting up for Russia and not the USA. ...
The 2008 Playoffs: Where the Revival of the NBA's Two Flagship Franchises Happened
The Biz of Basketball :: Part of the Business of Sports Network —
One year ago, the NBA's two flagship franchises appeared to be in total disarray. The Boston Celtics had just completed a demoralizing 24-58 season and their "reward" for posting the worst record in the Eastern Conference was the fifth pick in what was considered to be a two player draft. The L.A. Lakers earned the ...
