Lisa Coles, director of the Patriots cheerleaders for three
years until July, has filed a $100,000 lawsuit against the club
over her firing.  In the civil suit, Coles claims that Patriots
management demanded that she outfit her cheerleaders in "more
suggestive and skimpier" two-piece uniforms and that she change
the dance music to "rock rather than that of black artists."
Coles attorney Fred Golder said that Coles is looking for the
$100,000 she anticipated making this year in commissions, as well
as punitive damages, including for emotional distress: "She
anticipates losing $300,000."  Patriots Public Relations Director
Don Lowery dismissed Coles' suit: "This lawsuit has no merit.  It
is a very minor issue.  You sometimes make changes when there is
a new owner" (Jim Greenridge, BOSTON GLOBE, 10/13).

     WI Republican senate nominee Bob Welch has made the contract
negotiations of Bucks No. 1 draft pick Glenn Robinson a major
issue in his campaign to unseat Senator Herbert Kohl (D-WI), the
owner of the Bucks.  In a campaign commercial, Welch holds a
basketball and discusses Robinson: "They say I'm the underdog in
the U.S. Senate race -- and when Herb Kohl signs Glenn 'Big Dog'
Robinson, the Bucks, and Herb's campaign, will get a big assist.
But this campaign is about your bucks, not basketball Bucks.  I
hope Herb signs 'Big Dog.'  Vote for me and the buck stops here."
Univ. of WI political science professor David Littig said that a
prolonged contract dispute with Robinson could hurt Kohl's
campaign: "The people would be irritated if Kohl didn't get him.
If it goes sour, and it looks like management doesn't have it
together, then I think it can hurt him."  But Marquette political
science professor John McAdams said that constituents will not
allow Robinson's contract negotiations to effect their November
vote: "People aren't dumb,  they can make distinctions.   They
know you've got to pay big money for star athletes" (Paul
Gargano, AP/ MILWAUKEE SENTINEL, 10/14).  Today's SENTINEL also
reports that the Bucks have re-opened communication with
Robinson's agent, Charles Tucker, "but there has not been
anything that indicates great strides are being made" to get
Robinson signed (Rick Braun, MILWAUKEE SENTINEL, 10/14).