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Leagues and Governing Bodies

ABL VS. WNBA: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST?

          ABL co-Founder Gary Cavalli was named CEO of the ABL.
     He was serving as VP/Marketing & Communications (ABL).  
          LOOKING AHEAD: In L.A., Earl Gustkey reviewed the ABL
     under the header, "ABL Fired First Shot in Women's Pro
     Basketball Wars, But Will WNBA Have it Jumping Through
     Hoops?"  Gustkey: "The major question facing the ABL now is
     what happens after this inaugural season?  How many of its
     players will re-up for 1997?  What happens when ABL players
     see in the off-season the huge advantage the WNBA will have
     in TV exposure--NBC, ESPN, Lifetime?" (L.A. TIMES, 12/18). 
     In SI, Alexander Wolff offers a "survival guide" to the ABL
     "to avoid a stomping by David Stern" as the WNBA sets to
     start in June.  Wolff's advice to the ABL: "You're not a
     league, you're a movement."  In comparison to the WNBA's
     "top-down approach," the ABL's philosophy is grassroots. 
     Wolff: "It's working - that's why the teams with the worst
     records, the New England Blizzard and the Portland Power,
     are drawing the most fans - so stick with it."  Regarding
     proper conditioning and cleaning up rough play, Wolff adds:
     "Make sure you're in the ABL, not the ACL."  Wolff 
     concludes: "You and the WNBA are in different markets and
     season, with different philosophies and corporate backers.
     There's no reason you can't co-exist" (SI, 12/16 issue).

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