ESPN's "Cover Story" celebrated the 20th anniversary of the
final ABA game and noted the impact former ABA players and teams
have had on the NBA. Bob Ley noted as part of the league's '76
settlement agreement, the Nets, Spurs, Nuggets and Pacers still
pay the Spirits of St. Louis a cut of their national NBA TV
revenue. That deal brought the Spirits' owners over $8M in the
'80's ("SportsCenter," 5/13).... Japanese officials denied
yesterday that FIFA had asked whether they would be willing to
co-host the 2002 World Cup with South Korea. Japan said they
support holding the event in one country (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER,
5/14).... Tickets for the U.S. Open go on sale this Sunday at the
USTA National Tennis Center box office or by calling 1-888-
OPENTIX (USTA)....USA TODAY's Gordon Forbes looks at the
developing success of the World League of American Football. The
six teams figure to lose $12M this year, and Fox has committed to
a four-year loss of $40M. Those "figures have made some NFL
owners nervous." But, as Forbes notes, the NFL is "willing to
write off last year as an aberration after the two-year layoff"
and there is talk of expanding into Italy and France (USA TODAY,
5/14).
