Mark Cuban sets sights on fights
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is plotting to carve out a big slice of the Ultimate Fighting Championship market.
In the latest issue of Forbes Magazine, which features Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta on the cover, Cuban says the UFC is vulnerable because the company is "completely dependent on pay-per-view," which has long been the primary vehicle for mixed martial arts.
Cuban has created HDNet Fights for the expressed purpose of making "our network the de facto destination for MMA fans." He's counting on his free programming to cut deeply into what could be a $1 billion-a-year sales industry.
UFC president Dana White says Cuban "doesn't know anything about the fight business ... All he's concerned with is drawing subscribers to HDNet so he can sell out to Time Warner or Comcast."
The Forbes article credits the Fertittas with turning their $2 million purchase of the UFC in 2001 into $1 billion in value today, including $250 million in estimated sales in 2008.
REMEMBERING TAMERA
With teen phenom Miley Cyrus back in the news concerning her controversial Vanity Fair photo shoot, it reminded me of her January spirit-boosting visit to a Las Vegas cancer ward for children.
One of the kids she met was 12-year-old Tamera Matthews. She was among a group of children chosen to see one of Cyrus' show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
When I interviewed Tamera in her room at Sunrise Hospital on Jan. 21, her bright-light personality illuminated the room. She was not only pleased that she got to see Cyrus perform, but that the "Hannah Montana" star also came to the hospital. "Some kids were too sick so she went to see them."
For someone who had received bad news earlier that day, she was abuzz that her picture was going to appear in the R-J with Cyrus. Nothing else mattered, certainly not the black wig she had to wear to cover her head, bald from months of chemotherapy.
On the same day that Tamera's mother, Monique, learned her daughter was being invited to Cyrus' show, she was told tests confirmed Tamera's leukemia had returned. Tamera's mother chose not to tell her daughter until her big weekend was over.
When she broke the news, Tamera responded, "At least I got to meet Hannah Montana."
I have sad news: Tamera died March 14 from leukemia, the Clark County Coroner's Office confirmed Tuesday.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
A bid to break the Guinness Book world record attempt for largest number of assembled Elvis impersonators to sing at one time is planned for May 25 at the Imperial Palace. The record was set in January 2007 when 147 Elvis impersonators gathered in Parkes, Australia, to shatter the previous mark of 77 set in London in 2005. The record attempt at the Legends in Concert theater will open the 17th annual REEL Awards, which honors the top celebrity impersonators in the industry. For more information go to www.thereelawards.com ...
Fox News' Oliver North has been added to the lineup of tonight's Sean Hannity Freedom Concert at the Orleans Arena. The 8 p.m. event features special musical guest Lee Greenwood and is presented by KXNT-AM 840. Tickets: $25 and $35 at the Orleans box office or KXNT.com. ...
Former Las Vegas headliner Trini Lopez will become the 25th honoree of the Las Vegas Walk during a May 15 star ceremony at noon in the Flamingo showroom. It is open to the public. ...
SIGHTINGS
NFL Hall of Famer John Elway and sponsors of his Arena Football League club in Denver, partying at Diablo's Cantina (Monte Carlo) on Thursday. The group sent shots to Playboy Playmate Destiny Davis' table. Davis was celebrating her sister Lacy's 21st birthday. ... Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, having lunch with family on Friday at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (Forum Shops). ... Fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, on the town Thursday at The Bank Nightclub (Bellagio). ...
THE PUNCH LINE
"Hillary wants another debate. She has nothing more to say really, she just wants to show off another pantsuit." -- David Letterman
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
