Braves P Greg Maddux signed a five-year contract
extension worth $57.5M, making him the highest paid-player
in MLB (Mult., 8/11)....The NFL Oilers drew 24,722 in the
rain at their exhibition opener in Nashville on Saturday
against the Redskins, about 2,000 more than their August 2
in Memphis (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 8/10). In Houston,
John McLain: "The rain-soaked crowd ... wasn't overwhelming
by a long shot, but the festive atmosphere around the city
Saturday was evidence that Nashville, contrary to Memphis,
is excited about its new NFL franchise" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE,
8/10)....With the acquisition of Mark Messier and Otis
Thorpe, the Canucks and Grizzlies have now taken on contract
commitments "approaching" US$127.3M in the last month. The
Vancouver's PROVINCE's Lowell Ullrich: "It should therefore
come as no surprise that the Grizzlies ... are expected to
announce a slight ticket price restructuring" (Vancouver
PROVINCE, 8/8)....In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman writes that
Vikings President Roger Headrick "could land a job running
the NFL properties if he decides to leave his present
position." Headrick currently serves as Chair of the NFL
owners' properties committee (STAR TRIBUNE, 8/9).
