ESPN's Peter Gammons reports the MLBPA is trying to "work
out some way major league players can participate in the 2000
Olympics in Sydney" -- which will be held in September, not
February as Gammons said last week. Gammons notes Sydney will be
a "one shot deal" after which the union and league seek a World
Cup format. ESPN's Robin Roberts reports the IOC is "sending
signals" to the Int'l Baseball Congress that it wants major
leaguers in Sydney and if it doesn't get them, the IOC may "drop
the sport" ("SportsCenter," 7/30)....In Indianapolis, Robin
Miller writes on NASCAR's Brickyard 400 and its effect on
business for Speedway President Tony George. Miller: "NASCAR
now owns some pretty good leverage because [George] really needs
the Brickyard so he can keep pouring money into his IRL. Without
stock cars, George might not be able to keep the under-financed
IRL afloat" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 7/30). ....The MLS is
scheduled to eclipse the 2 million fan mark later this week.
After 102 games, more than 1,959,000 fans attended MLS matches
(MLS)....NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue says the bombing in
Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park will not hurt the city's
chances to host another Super Bowl. Tagliabue, in Atlanta to
watch the Games, called the incident a "random act" which could
have happened anywhere in the world ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 7/30).
