MLB owners have committed $1.45B in guaranteed
contracts through 2002, according to USA TODAY. Atlanta has
the "largest commitment" through 2002 with $153,522,047 for
seven players; the A's have no guaranteed deals past this
season. USA TODAY's Hal Bodley: "Creating financial
restraint for baseball was what the 1994-1995 strike was all
about. But some owners didn't get the message" (USA TODAY,
8/15)....In Utah, Loren Jorgensen comments on the WNBA's
offseason, writing, "it may be time for the WNBA to change"
it's slogan to "What's Up Next?" Jorgensen notes "the main
reason for the confusion" for offseason planning may be in
the league's desire to expand, which will be made at the NBA
Board of Governors meeting in November. There has also been
"talk of expanding" the 28-game schedule next year (DESERET
NEWS, 8/15)....Women's hockey is examined by USA TODAY's
Sharon Raboin, as two groups -- one led by Ed Saunders, a
Univ. of NH graduate, the other by Don Wilson, a
construction contractor from NY -- have formed corporations
"with the intent" of starting a women's pro hockey league.
The NHL has also "explored the possibilities too." NHL
VP/Corporate Communications Bernadette Mansur: "We look at
it as a possible future opportunity" (USA TODAY, 8/15).
