Peter Vecsey reports that Former Mavericks GM and current
Sonics consultant RICK SUND has been offered the job as Pistons
Personnel Dir (N.Y. POST, 5/25). GEORGE IRVINE of the Pacers has
joined Sund and BOB FERRY as candidates to run the Hornets
basketball operations (USA TODAY, 5/25).... In this morning's
N.Y. TIMES, Joe LaPointe reports that possible shake-ups in the
Sabres' front office have started rumors that Rangers
President/GM NEIL SMITH could be brought to Buffalo (N.Y. TIMES,
5/25)....Disney Sports Enterprises President TONY TAVARES is
profiled in this morning's L.A. TIMES as "the man who soon could
rule big-time sports in Orange County" (L.A. TIMES, 5/25)....
Former Pirate RENNIE STENNETT has announced the formation of the
American Assoc. of Professional Baseball Players to promote
baseball throughout the U.S. (AAPBP)....TOM BROKAW's long-awaited
special on Microsoft Chair BILL GATES airs tomorrow on night NBC
(N.Y. POST, 5/25)....USA BASKETBALL holds a press conference to
announce members of its Women's National Team today at 1:00pm MDT
in Colorado Springs (USA Basketball). Likely name for the
Women's National Team: THE HOME TEAM. Among the rejected names:
Fab Femmes, Dream Team Too, Liberty Belles, the Hoop Troupe, the
'96ers, the Golden Girls, and the Chicks Who Set Picks (SI, 5/29
issue).... Braves Asst GM CHUCK LAMAR and Cubs Dir of Scouting AL
GOLDIS are mentioned as Devil Rays GM candidates (USA TODAY
BASEBALL WEEKLY, 5/24-30). Other candidates include Expos GM
KEVIN MALONE, Padres GM RANDY SMITH and Marlins Asst GM FRANK
WREN. The Giants denied the Devil Rays permission to talk to
Asst GM BRIAN SABEAN and Pittsburgh denied them permission to
talk to GM CAM BONIFAY (USA TODAY, 5/24).
