The ABL women's basketball league debuted over the weekend.
On Friday, 8,767 watched the Rage-Blizzard in Hartford. In
Denver, 5,513 watched the Reign-Xlposion and a sellout of 4,550
saw the Glory-Lasers in San Jose. On Saturday, the Glory-Power
at Portland's Memorial Coliseum drew 8,629. The Lasers second
game in San Jose Saturday drew 2,650 (THE DAILY). In Denver,
Donna Carter notes women's basketball "proved its no side show,"
as the crowd of 5,513 "enthusiastically embraced history in the
making." Play "ranged from erratic and uneven to inspired"
(DENVER POST, 10/19). The ABL has "glitz, new stars and --
perhaps more importantly for the future of the league -- solid,
enthusiastic crowds" (Sharon Ginn, ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 10/20).
In San Francisco, C.W. Nevius asks of the ABL, "Will it last? I
gotta say, I like their chances" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/19). The
ABL and other women's pro leagues were featured in the front page
of Sunday's WASHINGTON POST under the header, "Women's Pro
Leagues Make Bid for the Big Time" (Brad Parks, WASHINGTON POST,
10/20).
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS? CNN's Mike Galanos profiled the
ABL, and although its season has just begun, there is already
talk of a possible merger with the WNBA, set to being play in
'97. The Glory's Saudia Roundtree: "Two leagues isn't going to
last anyway. I mean, women's basketball is big, but it isn't
that big" ("Sports Tonight," CNN, 10/18)....The AP does not plan
to provide a reporter for any of the ABL games this season,
according to Bob Wolfley of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. AP
will provide scores and standing, but no box scores. Wolfley
notes "that decision damages the chances that the league has to
survive and flourish" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/19).
