Columnist Ann Killion of the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS writes
the American Basketball League and its San Jose franchise, the
Lasers, have "beamed in" at a perfect time. Killion: "The
timing couldn't be better. What was amusing a year ago, an
intriguing concept six months ago, has suddenly become a viable
business venture." Killion adds that a "dark cloud" which could
pass over the ABL "picnic" comes in the form of the rival WNBA,
which is scheduled to launch next summer. She also notes that
what once seemed like a committed nine players from the U.S.
Olympic Women's Basketball team is now down to six: Jennifer
Azzi, Katy Steding, Nikki McCray, Teresa Edwards, Carla McGhee
and Dawn Staley. Katrina McClain recently accepted a $500,000
deal to play in Turkey, while Ruthie Bolton and Venus Lacey are
contemplating overseas offers. Other team members, Lisa Leslie,
Rebecca Lobo and Sheryl Swoopes, have not yet announced their
intentions (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 8/15). The SACRAMENTO BEE's
John Schumacher writes about the Lasers "fast start," adding the
team has sold more than 650 season tickets, with an average
ticket price ranging between $5-$10 (SACRAMENTO BEE, 8/15).
Leslie has signed a contract with a modeling agency and thus her
future with the Richmond Rage, the ABL franchise to which she was
assigned by the league, is in doubt (Vic Dorr, Jr., RICHMOND
TIMES DISPATCH, 8/16).
