MARY GRISWOLD has been named Manager of Corporate
Communications for the NFL.  Griswold was previously Director of
Communications for People & Properties Inc.  Griswold will
coordinate public relations for NFL Enterprises, the NFL business
unit in charge of ancillary television and media opportunities
(NFL)....The Grizzlies have named JAY TRIANO as Dir of Community
Relations (SportsTicker)....ROBERTA JACOBS was named Senior VP,
Sales and Marketing for Viacom New Media (WALL STREET JOURNAL,
5/10)....NICHOLAS RHODES has joined Speedvision in Dallas as
Senior VP, Business Development (BROADCASTING & CABLE, 5/8).
....Richmond Renegades President HARRY FEUERSTEIN has agreed to
purchase the Ice Palace in Richmond from former Renegades owner
ALLAN HARVIE JR. (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 5/9).

     The Spurs' DENNIS RODMAN is profiled as "Madonna's
Basketball Pal" in the May 15 issue of PEOPLE magazine.  Teammate
JACK HALEY on the Rodman-Madonna relationship: "It was pretty
heavy.  I heard her say several times she wanted to have babies
with Dennis.  She called him a 'perfect specimen.'"  Rodman, on
his marketability: "It's like I'm a MICHAEL JORDAN.  But I'm a
Michael Jordan on the flip side.  That's the way it is.  The NBA
don't want it, but they don't have any choice" (PEOPLE, 5/15
issue)....Suns VP & COO RICH DOZER is quoted in a piece on
franchise profitability in the current U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT.
Dozer says that there are four factors to profitability:  "smart
owners, strong management, a large market and a modern facility."
While any three will do, Dozer adds, "If you're weak in two or
three, then you're in trouble" (U.S. NEWS, 5/15 issue)....
MERRITT NORVELL appears to top the short list to become the AD at
Michigan State (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/10)....DAVE TWARDZIK has
been offered the job of GM for the Warriors.  He was Dir of
player Personnel for the Hornets (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS,
5/10)....Penguins Owner HOWARD BALDWIN has a box office "bonanza"
on his hands with the upcoming release of "Sudden Death" (USA
TODAY, 5/10)....LPGA Commissioner CHARLIE MECHEM is profiled in
this morning's USA TODAY.  Mechem, who is is unsure of his plans
are after his 5-year term is up, was approached by a few LPGA
players about starting a sports marketing firm.  Mechem:  "I
didn't want to do that because I'd have to hire all those lawyers
and accountants" (USA TODAY, 5/10)....ESPN's Chris Mortenson
reports that AL DAVIS wants $20M from the NFL to "endure the pain
and suffering of playing in the L.A. Coliseum while a new stadium
is being built."  Mortenson says the league will address its
"L.A. problem" at its owners meetings later this month in
Jacksonville ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 5/9).