Deals and dollars
The sports industry's newest sign: 188 million sold
Sports is big business, but just how often does the average North American sports fan attend a sporting event? The numbers don't lie. In the first of what will become an annual year-end feature, The Sports Business Daily has estimated that by the end of this year 188,397,024 people will have attended professional sporting events in the United States and Canada. That's two paid entries into a sporting event for every three people from San Diego to Newfoundland. The estimated population of the United States and Canada combined is 292,800,000.
Methodology
The Daily tracked attendance figures on 11 different professional sports -- from auto racing to volleyball, minors to majors -- across North America to come up with "The Body Count." Estimates were calculated for sports that still have events remaining in '95. Attendance figures were not available for this year's LPGA events or for boxing and the rodeo circuit.
The big winner
Baseball led the way with more than 83 million paid in '95, followed by hockey and basketball. For comparison purposes, horse and greyhound racing combined for more than 85 million paying customers this year.
Rank Sport Body count
1 Baseball (MLB, Minors) 83,591,341
2 Hockey (NHL, IHL, AHL, etc.) 33,135,268
3 Basketball (NBA, CBA, USBL) 20,972,236
4 Football (NFL, CFL, Arena) 18,493,050
5 Golf (PGA/Sr.PGA, USGA etc.) 9,175,000
6 Auto racing (IndyCar, NASCAR, etc) 8,963,778
7 Tennis (WTA, ATP, Champions, Team) 8,927,703
8 Soccer (A-League, Indoor) 2,965,207
9 Volleyball (AVP, WPVA) 627,500
10 Bowling (PBA) 450,000
11 Lacrosse (MILL) 282,177
The Sports Business Daily's "Body count" 188,397,024
Population of the U.S. and Canada 292,800,000
What's "Go U Northwestern" in Chinese?
Intersport Television is hoping to attract between 400 and 500 million viewers when it broadcasts its Rose Bowl special. And no, it isn't suffering from delusions of grandeur. The Chicago-based company is producing and marketing a special for China Central Television on the Rose Bowl game and parade that will air in prime time during the Chinese New Year -- where such viewership numbers wouldn't be such a shocker (The Sports Business Daily).Power players
Will Arli$$ do for sports what Larry Sanders has done for talk?
HBO is set to premiere a new comedy pilot based on the shady dealings of sports agents in a format similar to its hit comedy "The Larry Sanders Show." In "Arli$$," a fictitious sports agency will intertwine with real athletes and power players, including Shaquille O'Neal, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Jones and Bob Costas (The Sports Business Daily).
A.C. Green is looking to life after basketball
Suns forward A.C. Green says after the Bible, professional wrestling is his favorite diversion. When asked if he was bothered that the matches are "scripted," the All-Star reacted with disbelief. Green said if you ask a "knowledgeable fan," (such as himself) that question, "they're liable to punch you." Green recently took some of his teammates to a WCW match at America West Arena, but the other Suns failed to show A.C.'s enthusiasm for the proceedings, as Green reportedly was screaming at the participants and challenged at least two to come into the crowd (Houston Chronicle).
Happy Holidays
The Sports Business Daily and "Industry Insider" will not be published Dec. 25-Jan. 2 due to the holidays. The "Industry Insider" will return to ESPNET SportsZone Jan. 3 with a new edition. Have a joyous holiday season and Happy New Year.Quotables
Good sport
"Sure, you all reported the ones saying 'Fire Mora.' Why didn't you say anything nice about the good ones? That one down in the end zone that said if Mora leaves, we leave.' (My wife) Connie and I were up until 3 or 4 in the morning making that one."
-- Saints coach Jim Mora to reporters after reading about all the signs in the Superdome calling for his demise (S.F. Chronicle).
Not a bite for the Shark
"This deal is making Greg richer than he already was, and he won't have to worry about world tours anymore."
-- Analyst Shelly Hale Young of Hambrecht & Quist, on the reported $5.86 million profit made by Greg Norman after American Brands purchased Cobra Golf (N.Y Post).
Down goes Letterman, down goes Letterman
"My goal for the show tonight is to stay on my feet longer than Buster Mathis Jr. ... That fight lasted just about as long as O.J.'s search for the real killers. ... I'm really excited about Tyson's next opponent -- Johnny Mathis."
-- David Letterman on the Tyson-Mathis fiasco ("Late Show," CBS).
Young's fashion cents
"He's not very worldly. He doesn't dress like Gentleman's Quarterly. I mean, nothing like it. His motto is, 'If it's free, it's me.'"
-- Niners linebacker Gary Plummer on teammate/former GQ cover-boy Steve Young ("NFL Prime Monday," ESPN).
Albom rocks hot dogs
"Andy Warhol was wrong. It's not '15 minutes,' it's the 'Play of the Day.' And you wonder if there were no TV highlights, if some of these guys would even play the game."
-- Mitch Albom, on the rash of taunting and end-zone dancing in the NFL ("NFL Prime Monday," ESPN).
Maybe McDonald's could sponsor the council
"Bill Clinton having a Council on Physical Fitness is like Art Modell heading the 'I Love Cleveland' campaign."
-- Comedy writer Jerry Perisho, after Clinton appointed Bills quarterback Jim Kelly to the Council (S.F. Chronicle).
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