In San Diego, Nick Canepa previews the NFL season by noting
the league has achieved parity. But, he adds, "Parity is the
mother of mediocrity, and mediocrity is the League's disease, a
debilitating ailment brought about by free agency and expansion"
(SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/29). NFL Exec Dir of Special Events
Jim Steeg said that the '98 Super Bowl will be "held in San
Diego, no matter what." With the expansion of Jack Murphy slowed
by litigation, speculation was the city may have to give up the
game (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/29)....SI's "Scorecard" accuses
USTA President Les Snyder of being "either monumentally stupid,
naive or disingenuous" when he said last week of the failed
tournament seeding and re-draw: "It really hurt to hear people
say I would let commercialism influence my decisions." Noting
Snyder's term ends on December 31, SI adds, "Not a moment too
soon" (SI, 9/2 issue)....Arena Football's ArenaBowl X was the
"most-watched" game in league history. The bowl received a 1.5
rating on ESPN, translating to 1,037,582 households (AFL). ...USA
TODAY notes that under newly released guidelines, NFL refs will
be subject to unannounced drug tests on game days. The policy
also bars attendance at horse and dog tracks and casinos during
the season. Dale Hamer, President of the Pro Football Referees
Assoc., said some members objected to rules that refs notify the
NFL when attending a casino during the offseason as an invasion
of privacy. But the PFRA and NFL worked on the guidelines (USA
TODAY, 8/29).
