Nonstop sports viewing is the ultimate competition

Kirk Baird

Friday, Nov. 15, 2002 | 9:28 a.m.

For a sports enthusiast, it's a dream come true: a chance to watch as much sports programming as you can take.

Or, the dream could be a nightmare, as 25 contestants will discover at 6 p.m. today at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino in Cox Communications' search for Southern Nevada's "Ultimate Sports Fan."

For the next few days -- or, until only one viewer remains -- the participants will have their viewing choice of a trio of Fox Sports network channels on three big screens. The object is simple: be the final man or woman left sitting in a chair, eyes glazed over from absorbing hours and hours of nonstop sports programming.

The main obstacle, of course, is fatigue. Each contestant is allowed one five-minute break every hour, and one 15-minute break every eight hours. Contestants caught with their eyes closed for more than five seconds are eliminated from the contest. And, if they're caught looking away from the TV screens for more than 10 seconds, they're out of the game as well.

Unsportsmanlike conduct, such as heckling or trying to trick an opponent, will also forfeit a chance at the grand prize -- three flatscreen TVs -- or the runner-up prize: La-Z-Boy chairs for the first, second and third-place finishers.

The contest, which is essentially a promotion for both Fox Sports Network and Cox Communications, was fairly popular, said Stephanie Stallworth, spokeswoman for Cox.

"We had quiet a few entries -- hundreds and hundreds of entries," Stallworth said. "I don't know if that's because we have such diehard sports fans in Nevada or if they want the prizes."

Out of the hundreds of entries, the 25 contestants were then randomly selected, she said. The finalists were also given the opportunity to back out of the contest.

"We called them up to make sure they were still up for this," Stallworth said. "If they said, 'yes,' they were determined to be one of the 25 contestants."

The Ultimate Sports Fan contest will take place near the former Border Grill restaurant, close to the main casino entrance off of Paseo Verde parkway.

The contest is open to the public. In fact, Stallworth encouraged friends and family of the 25 contestants to come by the Ultimate Sports Fan challenge and show support for their favorite participant.

"Whatever (the contestants) need to give them oomph or to keep going," she said.

Kirk Baird covers pop culture for the Sun. Reach him at 259-8801 or kirk@lasvegassun.com.