The ABC News poll, conducted April 19-23, surveyed 1,026
adults.  It has a margin of error of +/- 3.5% (ABC).


  
 
    
 
      
WHAT 
        IS YOUR FAVOITE SPORT TO WATCH? 
    
  
  
 
    
 
      

    
    
 
      
NOW
    
    
 
      
SEPT 
        '94
    
    
 
      
SEPT 
        '92
    
    
 
      
FEB 
        '90
    
    
 
      
JUL 
        '85
    
  
  
 
    
Football
    
 
      
  35%
    
    
 
      
  37%
    
    
 
      
  38%
    
    
 
      
  35%
    
    
 
      
  26%
    
  
  
 
    
Basketball
    
 
      
16
    
    
 
      
13
    
    
 
      
11
    
    
 
      
15
    
    
 
      
10
    
  
  
 
    
Baseball
    
 
      
12
    
    
 
      
16
    
    
 
      
16
    
    
 
      
16
    
    
 
      
21
    
  
  
 
    
Other/None
    
 
      
38
    
    
 
      
34
    
    
 
      
35
    
    
 
      
34
    
    
 
      
43
    
  
  
 
    
NOTE: 
      The 9/94 figures are from a Gallup poll which asked 

      "What is your favorite sport to follow"
  
  
 
    

  
  
 
    
 
      
ARE 
        YOU A FAN OF PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL?
    
  
  
 
    
 
      

    
    
 
      
NOW
    
    
 
      
FEB 
        '95
    
    
 
      
OCT 
        '94
    
    
 
      
AUG 
        '94
    
    
 
      
MAY 
        '93
    
  
  
 
    
Yes
    
 
      
  28%
    
    
 
      
  37%
    
    
 
      
  39%
    
    
 
      
  39%
    
    
 
      
  39%
    
  
  
 
    
No
    
 
      
63
    
    
 
      
51
    
    
 
      
52
    
    
 
      
51
    
    
 
      
51
    
  
  
 
    
Somewhat 
      (vol.)
    
 
      
9
    
    
 
      
12
    
    
 
      
9
    
    
 
      
10
    
    
 
      
10
    
  
  
 
    

    

    

    
 
    
    
 
    
    
 
    
  
  
 
    
 
      
INTEREST 
        IN MLB THIS YEAR COMPARED TO '94
    
  
  
 
    
More interested
    
 
      
  8%
    
    
 
      
Same
    
    
 
      
36%
    
    
 
      

    
  
  
 
    
Less interested
    
 
      
56
    
    
 
      

    
  

        
        Print | Tags: ABC, Leagues and Governing Bodies, MLB, Walt Disney
    

     According to a USA TODAY analysis of actual Opening Day
attendance around the major leagues, no team enjoyed a 100%
showing.  In fact, four games yesterday drew 60% capacity or
less, compared to '94 when only one Opening Day game (Montreal at
Houston) drew less than 90% (USA TODAY, 4/27).


  
 
    
 
      

    
    
 
      
ATT.
    
    
 
      
CAPACITY
    
    
 
      
PCT.
    
  
  
 
    
CHI at 
      CIN
    
 
      
51,033
    
    
 
      
52,952
    
    
 
      
96%
    
  
  
 
    
SF at ATL
    
 
      
24,091
    
    
 
      
52,710
    
    
 
      
46%
    
  
  
 
    
LA at FL
    
 
      
18,587
    
    
 
      
47,226
    
    
 
      
39% 
        (2nd game)
    
  
  
 
    
MTL at 
      PIT
    
 
      
34,841
    
    
 
      
47,972
    
    
 
      
73%
    
  
  
 
    
NYM at 
      COL
    
 
      
47,228
    
    
 
      
50,400
    
    
 
      
94%
    
  
  
 
    
PHI 
      at STL
    
 
      
32,573
    
    
 
      
57,078
    
    
 
      
57%
    
  
  
 
    
HOU at 
      SD
    
 
      
41,961
    
    
 
      
46,510
    
    
 
      
90%
    
  
  
 
    
MIN at 
      BOS
    
 
      
32,980
    
    
 
      
33,871
    
    
 
      
97%
    
  
  
 
    
TEX at 
      NYY
    
 
      
50,245
    
    
 
      
57,545
    
    
 
      
87%
    
  
  
 
    
CHI at 
      MIL
    
 
      
31,426
    
    
 
      
53,192
    
    
 
      
59%
    
  
  
 
    
OAK at 
      TOR
    
 
      
50,426
    
    
 
      
50,516
    
    
 
      
99%
    
  
  
 
    
BAL at 
      KC
    
 
      
24,170
    
    
 
      
40,625
    
    
 
      
60%
    
  
  
 
    
DET at 
      CAL
    
 
      
51,033
    
    
 
      
64,593
    
    
 
      
79%
    
  


     OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:  After 8 1/2 hours of "protracted
statements, testimony and cross-examinations" before the Ontario
Labour Relations Board, the locked-out umpires and MLB
representatives "drew no closer to settling the issue of whether
the lockout of umpires is even subject to Ontario's anti-scab
law" (James Christie, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/27).
     MORE OPENING DAY QUOTES:  Peter Gammons writes, "On a day
that didn't feel like Opening Day, there was a deep, honest sense
of beginning, that they now realize they need you" (BOSTON GLOBE,
4/27). Acting MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, in his dual role as
Brewers Owner, after visiting fans at pre-game tailgates:  "I got
a wonderful response.  It was exhilarating" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL, 4/27).... Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner, forced to
watch the game from Tampa because of health problems, after
seeing other scores:  "Look at those Brewers beating up on the
White Sox.  And they talk like they're small market" (N.Y. DAILY
NEWS, 4/27)....Reds Owner Marge Schott, asked if her team had any
"special" plans for fans:  "What do you mean?" (CINCINNATI
ENQUIRER, 4/27).   MLBPA's Don Fehr, on the prospect of playing a
full season:  "I would say probably without interruption, but
things change so rapidly" (CBS, 4/26).

     After the NBA's Board of Governors meeting yesterday,
Commissioner David Stern said the time was growing short to reach
a labor agreement with the players, according to this morning's
TORONTO STAR.  The league has been operating under a no-strike,
no-lockout deal since October 27.  Although the sides have been
meeting regularly, the union's negotiating team underwent a major
change when Charles Grantham resigned as NBPA Exec Dir.  Former
NBPA General Counsel Simon Gourdine has replaced Grantham, but
Stern said the change would not affect negotiations.  Stern:
"The players are represented by six people.  Five of the six
people remain the same."  Stern would not specify specific issues
that stand in the way of a deal (TORONTO STAR, 4/27).
     MORE NBA BUSINESS: At the Board of Governors meeting,
several items were approved, including the timetable on
completing the Grizzlies and Raptors' expansion agreement. Stern
also acknowledged while the league does not expect to add more
franchises in the near future, the NBA will receive an expansion
application from a New Orleans group led by Saints Owner Tom
Benson.  Stern:  "We think he has a great group and would be a
great owner."  The league will also allow the Clippers to
increase the number of games they play in Anaheim from six to
eight (Mult., 4/27).
     FROM THE PLAYERS:  The NBPA is entering the high school
summer basketball camp business, "which has been dominated in
recent years by sneaker companies."  The union will invite 50-60
of the top rising seniors, juniors and sophomores to Princeton,
NJ, June 20-25, according to Alex English, NBPA Dir of Player
Programs and Bob Dandridge, NBPA Dir of College Programs.  No
college coaches will be allowed to attend.  Besides playing
games, campers will be tutored in how to take the SAT's, and on
substance abuse awareness, college completion, internships,
HIV/AIDS awareness, money management and agent regulation (USA
TODAY, 4/27).