WNBA President Val Ackerman announced U.S. Gold Medalists
Rebecca Lobo and Sheryl Swoopes have signed contracts to play in
the inaugural season of the WNBA, the women's pro basketball
league to debut in June '97. Terms of the deals were not
disclosed (WNBA).
NBA AT 50: The CHICAGO TRIBUNE's Sam Smith concluded his
"NBA at 50" series today with a look at the league's future under
the header, "Despite League's Boom, Fears Over Future Mount."
Pacers coach Larry Brown: "I'm fearful we're going to have the
movement with free agency that's affected baseball. Where you're
not knowing from year to year who's on which teams. Fans develop
a relationship with players and you can lose that continuity."
NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik: "Nothing has happened in the
last year (with salaries) that makes any more problem than
there's ever been. But next summer will be an important test to
see whether the teams can be fiscally responsible or not."
Smith, on the NBA: "It's much wealthier and healthier than it
ever imagined it could be, still capable of procreating and still
vibrant. But age doesn't always bring wisdom. And the NBA may
have outsmarted itself with its phenomenal growth" (CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, 10/23).