LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is trying to quell the escalating debate over who should pick up the estimated $1.4 million tab for police, traffic control and other services related to Michael Jackson's memorial service.
Villaraigosa, who was vacationing in South Africa a week ago when more than 17,000 fans flocked to downtown Los Angeles to watch the public memorial, asserted Monday that the city will pay. He said he will not ask the Jackson family or AEG Live, the owner of the Staples Center where the event was held, to help the city recoup its expenses, and he lambasted a city Web site set up to request donations.
"This is a world-class city, and we provide fire and police protection, period," Villaraigosa said during his first public appearance since returning from his weeklong trip. "The idea that we would charge the family for a funeral is nonsensical."
Despite his comments, the City Council was expected to take up the issue Tuesday when City Attorney Carmen Trutanich reports on the costs of the event. Trutanich launched an investigation into laws to force third parties to pay the municipal costs associated with unexpected events such as the Jackson memorial.
Villaraigosa told reporters that major events such as the memorial occur frequently in Los Angeles and other big cities. New York and Chicago do not ask others to cough up cash, he said.
The mayor called the city's donation Web site, which raised $35,000, "ridiculous." The site stopped operating Friday afternoon. It was unclear whether the money would be returned to donors.
Villaraigosa's comments was in contrast to a statement attributed to him in a news release distributed by his office last week. In it, he encouraged Jackson fans to memorialize the pop star by donating to the city.
The release quoted Villaraigosa as saying: "Michael Jackson's music touched millions of fans across the globe. Donations will help the City of Angels provide the extraordinary public safety resources required to give Michael the safe, orderly and respectful memorial he deserves."
Matt Szabo, the mayor's spokesman, said the idea to seek donations came from Councilwoman Jan Perry, who served as acting mayor while Villaraigosa and City Council President Eric Garcetti were out of the country.
"Her office asked for donations to be mailed in," Szabo said. "The bottom line is our office then moved to support that effort with an online contribution form."
Perry could not immediately be reached for comment.
The issue took on political overtones last week when several council members asked who was going to foot the bill at a time when the city faces a $530 million budget shortfall and layoffs. One of the most vocal critics was Councilman Dennis Zine, who said taxpayers don't typically pay for motorcade escorts for funerals.
Zine said he agreed with Villaraigosa that the city should not solicit donations, but asserted that the Jackson family and AEG Live should pay.
"AEG and the Jackson family turned this memorial into a worldwide event. The taxpayers should not be responsible for what they did," Zine said Monday.
Zine introduced a motion calling for a review of city policies governing expenditures on such events and a detailed report of the costs related to Jackson's death, as well as who approved the expenditures.
Councilwoman Janice Hahn, meanwhile, introduced a motion asking for a full accounting of tourism-related revenue that flowed into the city after the singer died June 25.
Both motions are on the council's agenda for July 21.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Vaidisova loses in 1st round of Prague Open
PRAGUE (AP) -- Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia eliminated Nicole Vaidisova from the first round of the Prague Open on Tuesday, beating the Czech player 7-5, 6-2.
Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland also advanced, beating sixth-seeded Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia 6-2, 7-6 (5), while seventh-seeded Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic defeated Ksenia Pervak of Russia 6-3, 6-2 and Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic beat Anna Lapuschenkova of Russia 6-1, 6-0.
In the second round, Kudryavtseva will play second-seeded Sybille Bammer of Austria.
Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland also advanced, beating sixth-seeded Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia 6-2, 7-6 (5), while seventh-seeded Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic defeated Ksenia Pervak of Russia 6-3, 6-2 and Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic beat Anna Lapuschenkova of Russia 6-1, 6-0.
In the second round, Kudryavtseva will play second-seeded Sybille Bammer of Austria.
Kiefer upsets Berdych to reach 2nd round
STUTTGART, Germany (AP)—Nicolas Kiefer of Germany has upset third-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3 to move into the second round of the Mercedes Cup.
Kiefer beat Berdych for the first time in five matches. Berdych had been hoping for his second clay-court title in Germany this year, after winning in Munich. Berdych also helped the Czech Republic reach the Davis Cup semifinals by beating Argentina last weekend.
Top-seeded Gilles Simon of France advanced by defeating Philipp Petzschner of Germany 6-3, 6-4.
Another German, fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber, eased into the second round Tuesday by beating Diego Junqueira of Argentina 6-3, 6-2.
Fabio Fognini of Italy rallied to beat seventh-seeded Fabrice Santoro of France 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-1.
Kiefer beat Berdych for the first time in five matches. Berdych had been hoping for his second clay-court title in Germany this year, after winning in Munich. Berdych also helped the Czech Republic reach the Davis Cup semifinals by beating Argentina last weekend.
Top-seeded Gilles Simon of France advanced by defeating Philipp Petzschner of Germany 6-3, 6-4.
Another German, fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber, eased into the second round Tuesday by beating Diego Junqueira of Argentina 6-3, 6-2.
Fabio Fognini of Italy rallied to beat seventh-seeded Fabrice Santoro of France 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-1.
WTA makes Allaster new CEO
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—Stacey Allaster has been promoted to chairman and CEO of the WTA Tour.
Allaster had been president of the women’s professional tennis circuit since 2006.
The 46-year-old Allaster succeeds Larry Scott, who left the WTA to become the commissioner of the Pac-10 conference.
“I am honored to lead the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, which since its founding by Billie Jean King 36 years ago has continued to break barriers and grow into a premier global sporting league,” Allaster said in a release Monday. “The Tour and our sport have enjoyed unprecedented success over the past years, and we are poised for even greater heights in the years to come.”
Scott announced his departure in March after six years as CEO. The WTA said under Scott, revenue increased 250 percent and prize money increased 40 percent.
Allaster joined the WTA three years ago in the newly created role as president. She was responsible for the Tour’s operations, business development, television, new media and tournament and player relations
She previously served as vice president and tournament director at Tennis Canada.
“Women’s tennis and the Tour have never been stronger as a business, and Stacey has been at the center of this business success over the past years,” Venus Williams said in the release. “Stacey has helped to lead the development of a stronger Tour product through the passage of a healthier and streamlined circuit structure.
“I believe that Stacey will be a great leader for the Tour, understands how players can help drive our business, and has all the tools to take our sport to even greater heights.”
King founded the WTA in 1973.
“Stacey is the right person with the right ideas to continue to lead the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour,” King said. “She has the full support of the players, sponsors and tournament owners.”
Allaster had been president of the women’s professional tennis circuit since 2006.
The 46-year-old Allaster succeeds Larry Scott, who left the WTA to become the commissioner of the Pac-10 conference.
“I am honored to lead the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, which since its founding by Billie Jean King 36 years ago has continued to break barriers and grow into a premier global sporting league,” Allaster said in a release Monday. “The Tour and our sport have enjoyed unprecedented success over the past years, and we are poised for even greater heights in the years to come.”
Scott announced his departure in March after six years as CEO. The WTA said under Scott, revenue increased 250 percent and prize money increased 40 percent.
Allaster joined the WTA three years ago in the newly created role as president. She was responsible for the Tour’s operations, business development, television, new media and tournament and player relations
She previously served as vice president and tournament director at Tennis Canada.
“Women’s tennis and the Tour have never been stronger as a business, and Stacey has been at the center of this business success over the past years,” Venus Williams said in the release. “Stacey has helped to lead the development of a stronger Tour product through the passage of a healthier and streamlined circuit structure.
“I believe that Stacey will be a great leader for the Tour, understands how players can help drive our business, and has all the tools to take our sport to even greater heights.”
King founded the WTA in 1973.
“Stacey is the right person with the right ideas to continue to lead the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour,” King said. “She has the full support of the players, sponsors and tournament owners.”
New WTA chairman Allaster defends rankings system
LONDON, July 13 (Reuters) - New WTA Tour chairman Stacey Allaster defended the controversial women’s rankings system following her appointment on Monday.
Russian Dinara Safina has risen to world number one despite not winning a grand slam title and American Serena Williams criticised the rankings after claiming her 11th major crown at Wimbledon this month.
“It’s a 52-week ruling average and it’s a combination of the grand slams and tour events. Without question, based on the ranking system, with consistent performance at the slams and at the tours, Dinara Safina is the number one player,” Allaster told Reuters.
World number two Williams said she “didn’t even care anymore” about the rankings.
“I think this ranking debate is not new, it has gone on for several years,” Allaster said.
“Every fan has their own (ranking) measure, what we know is that we have a system… (Safina) has had a great season and she will win a grand slam I have no doubt in my mind.”
The former WTA president has identified the digital expansion of tennis as a key goal.
“We just re-launched our new website, our China version will follow in the next six to eight weeks, by year-end we’ll have our Spanish website up and running, so as an organisation we have been investing in digital and I see it as a strategic priority going forward,” she said.
The 46-year-old said she was also supremely confident about the strength of women’s tennis.
“We have great depth, we have Venus and Serena, who are still playing and dominating extremely well at this stage in their careers,” she said.
“We’ve got Maria Sharapova, a champion who is on her way back, and we’ve got Elena Dementieva and some young new bright stars coming. The depth is there.”
(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Russian Dinara Safina has risen to world number one despite not winning a grand slam title and American Serena Williams criticised the rankings after claiming her 11th major crown at Wimbledon this month.
“It’s a 52-week ruling average and it’s a combination of the grand slams and tour events. Without question, based on the ranking system, with consistent performance at the slams and at the tours, Dinara Safina is the number one player,” Allaster told Reuters.
World number two Williams said she “didn’t even care anymore” about the rankings.
“I think this ranking debate is not new, it has gone on for several years,” Allaster said.
“Every fan has their own (ranking) measure, what we know is that we have a system… (Safina) has had a great season and she will win a grand slam I have no doubt in my mind.”
The former WTA president has identified the digital expansion of tennis as a key goal.
“We just re-launched our new website, our China version will follow in the next six to eight weeks, by year-end we’ll have our Spanish website up and running, so as an organisation we have been investing in digital and I see it as a strategic priority going forward,” she said.
The 46-year-old said she was also supremely confident about the strength of women’s tennis.
“We have great depth, we have Venus and Serena, who are still playing and dominating extremely well at this stage in their careers,” she said.
“We’ve got Maria Sharapova, a champion who is on her way back, and we’ve got Elena Dementieva and some young new bright stars coming. The depth is there.”
(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Nadal to return to tour at Montreal next month
BARCELONA, Spain (AP)—Rafael Nadal plans to be back at practice next week and back on tour next month.
Nadal’s publicist, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, said Tuesday that the six-time Grand Slam title winner is in Barcelona for tests on his sore knees.
Perez-Barbadillo says Nadal is “slowly recovering from his injury.”
He says Nadal will return to practice Monday and will play in the hard-court tournament at Montreal that begins Aug. 10.
Nadal has not played a match since being upset in the fourth round at the French Open in May. He did not defend his Wimbledon title and slipped from No. 1 to No. 2 in the rankings.
Nadal’s publicist, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, said Tuesday that the six-time Grand Slam title winner is in Barcelona for tests on his sore knees.
Perez-Barbadillo says Nadal is “slowly recovering from his injury.”
He says Nadal will return to practice Monday and will play in the hard-court tournament at Montreal that begins Aug. 10.
Nadal has not played a match since being upset in the fourth round at the French Open in May. He did not defend his Wimbledon title and slipped from No. 1 to No. 2 in the rankings.
US set to meet Panama in Gold Cup quarterfinals
PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Two years ago, the United States defeated Panama in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup en route to its fourth title. If the U.S. hopes to defend its championship, it will have to beat Panama again.
“Our preparation is the same and we have great respect for Panama,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said Tuesday. “Many of their players are the same. We will take the same approach as we do with the national team in preparation for Saturday’s game.”
The U.S. plays Panama in the quarterfinal round Saturday at 8 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. Canada and Honduras will meet in the first quarterfinal matchup at 5 p.m.
The U.S. was 2-0-1 in Group B play through the first round and tied Haiti 2-2 last Saturday in Foxboro, Mass. The Americans, looking for their third consecutive title in the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean, finished first in Group B.
The Americans are 23-0-2 in Gold Cup group play. Stuart Holden, a midfielder for MLS’ Houston Dynamo, preserved the unbeaten record with a 25-foot shot past Haiti goalkeeper Jean Dominque Zephirin in the first minute of second-half injury time to force the tie.
“I don’t think there is added pressure on us,” Bradley said. “Our preparation and focus is always the same. We take the same approach. It’s exciting to be defending champions. With that, comes pressure at game time. I think its a good way to go about our work.”Panama earned a spot in the quarterfinals with a 4-0 victory over short-handed Nicaragua in a Group C match last Sunday at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Substitute Luis Tejada scored a pair of goals while Blas Perez and Gabriel Gomez added one goal each for Panama. Nicaragua played the second half with 10 men after Franklin Lopez was ejected for kicking Gomez in the second minute of injury time.
In addition to the 2007 loss, Panama lost to the U.S. on penalty kicks in the championship game of the 2005 Gold Cup.
Panama coach Gary Stempel said his club is very confident as these two familiar opponents prepare to play once again.
“We’ve got the base of a very strong squad,” Stempel said. “Two previous losses to the United States is somewhat of a motivation for us to change the result.”
In the other quarterfinals, Mexico meets Haiti and Guadeloupe meets Costa Rica Sunday in Dallas.
The semifinals will be held July 23 in Chicago with the championship game set for Sunday, July 26 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
“Our preparation is the same and we have great respect for Panama,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said Tuesday. “Many of their players are the same. We will take the same approach as we do with the national team in preparation for Saturday’s game.”
The U.S. plays Panama in the quarterfinal round Saturday at 8 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. Canada and Honduras will meet in the first quarterfinal matchup at 5 p.m.
The U.S. was 2-0-1 in Group B play through the first round and tied Haiti 2-2 last Saturday in Foxboro, Mass. The Americans, looking for their third consecutive title in the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean, finished first in Group B.
The Americans are 23-0-2 in Gold Cup group play. Stuart Holden, a midfielder for MLS’ Houston Dynamo, preserved the unbeaten record with a 25-foot shot past Haiti goalkeeper Jean Dominque Zephirin in the first minute of second-half injury time to force the tie.
“I don’t think there is added pressure on us,” Bradley said. “Our preparation and focus is always the same. We take the same approach. It’s exciting to be defending champions. With that, comes pressure at game time. I think its a good way to go about our work.”Panama earned a spot in the quarterfinals with a 4-0 victory over short-handed Nicaragua in a Group C match last Sunday at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Substitute Luis Tejada scored a pair of goals while Blas Perez and Gabriel Gomez added one goal each for Panama. Nicaragua played the second half with 10 men after Franklin Lopez was ejected for kicking Gomez in the second minute of injury time.
In addition to the 2007 loss, Panama lost to the U.S. on penalty kicks in the championship game of the 2005 Gold Cup.
Panama coach Gary Stempel said his club is very confident as these two familiar opponents prepare to play once again.
“We’ve got the base of a very strong squad,” Stempel said. “Two previous losses to the United States is somewhat of a motivation for us to change the result.”
In the other quarterfinals, Mexico meets Haiti and Guadeloupe meets Costa Rica Sunday in Dallas.
The semifinals will be held July 23 in Chicago with the championship game set for Sunday, July 26 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
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