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May. 03, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Mark Cuban sets sights on fights

NORM CLARKE
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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."

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    • 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.



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    FastTracker wrote on May 03, 2008 11:20 PM: Militant warmongers, neocon apologists, and Bush idolaters don't make the cut as true Americans.


    Andrew wrote on May 03, 2008 09:10 PM: Sean Hannity and Oliver North..

    TRUE AMERICANS AND ALWAYS WELCOME IN LAS VEGAS... I thank both of you for the service to MY COUNTRY.


    FastTracker wrote on May 03, 2008 05:53 PM: SlowmindedwelfareTracker:

    What's the total expected take from the 'Shawn & Ollie' show? What percentage will be for 'scholarships for soldiers families'?

    How much will Sean get? What about Ollie?

    How much for 'administrative expenses'?


    SlowmindedwelfareTracker wrote on May 03, 2008 05:23 PM: Poor slow-minded welfare Tracker.

    The Sean Hannity benefit is to go towards scholorships for soldiers families... now go to your mailbox and look for your welfare check or go back to your gay parade... better yet, hook up your trailer and get out of Las Vegas.


    mike wrote on May 03, 2008 05:07 PM: >> chicken necked chicken hawk??? you are talking about dick cheney??
    or bushies boy>?

    as conspiracy??? no ,.,. just the fact,.,. ollie is a punk,.


    Eunice Shparago wrote on May 03, 2008 02:46 PM: My choice for the best pizza in Chicago is Lou Malnati's.


    FastTracker wrote on May 03, 2008 01:16 PM: Would you, the one using the 'Harry Reid' moniker, care to detail every enormous benefit to be gained from attending the 'Sean and Ollie'show?

    By the way, sorry to disappoint you, no welfare check on the way. But my offer still stands.

    Finally, HOW DARE you insult an Iraq war vet the way you did.

    You impress me as a chicken necked chicken hawk.


    rightwingiswrongwing wrote on May 03, 2008 12:53 PM: Sean Hannety go back to the hole you came out of,sholdn't yuo be at the gay parade,closet republican


    Harry Reid wrote on May 03, 2008 11:33 AM: Dan served in Iraq?...
    As what --- Al Quida or the Taliban?

    Dan, shouldn't you be at your Rainbow Parade this weekend?

    Mike, put the tinfoil back on your head... we are reading your thoughts and know where you live.

    FastTracker, you wouldn't have the price of admission unless you just got your welfare check in the mail today.


    FastTracker wrote on May 03, 2008 10:54 AM: Hey laguna:

    I'll put up the price of admission to help fund YOUR mental evaluation.


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