USA TODAY's Hal Bodley notes that one of the "more bizarre
realignment scenarios" discussed by MLB owners last week in L.A.
includes adding Northern VA and Mexico City to create two 16-team
leagues. The "path of least resistance" in '98 is to place the
Devil Rays in the AL East, move the Tigers to the AL Central and
the Royals to the AL West, and to place the Diamondbacks in the
NL West (USA TODAY, 1/24). ....The PGA of America and Chicago's
Medinah Country Club are expected to announce Saturday that
Medinah will be host to the '99 PGA Championship (CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, 1/24)....The NBA announced that Boyz II Men and Brandy
will headline the '96 NBA All-Star Youth Celebration Saturday
February 10 in the Alamodome in San Antonio. Other stars include
Will Smith of "The Fresh Prince," Jonathan Taylor Thomas of "Home
Improvement," and NBA stars Grant Hill, Joe Smith, Jerry
Stackhouse, Sean Elliott and Damon Stoudamire. The event will be
simulcast on NBC, TNT, Nickelodeon and BET (NBA)....Elliott, Vin
Baker and Dana Barros will be featured in NBA spots offering
advice to youths on how to avoid violent situations (MILWAUKEE
JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/24)....The IHL cites its "record-setting"
weekend last Friday through Sunday, a total of 231,063 fans for
an average of 10,046 per game. The league is on pace to draw 5.5
million fans this season, challenging last year's record of 5.7
million (IHL).
