MLB: NEWSDAY's Steve Zipay writes on the timing of
former MLBE President Greg Murphy's resignation. Zipay:
"Insiders say it was to send a signal to sponsors, who
traditionally are wined and dined during Games 3, 4 and 5,
that there's a new sheriff in town," MLB COO Paul Beeston.
Zipay adds that Murphy "reportedly had differences with
several potential [MLB] sponsors, and with his ouster,
sources say other companies who were on the fence may be
signed in the coming weeks" (NEWSDAY, 10/21). Meanwhile,
MasterCard officially announced its partnership with MLB,
becoming the league's 14th national sponsor and the fourth
signed this year. MLB "expects MasterCard to spend" $10M
annually over its three-year deal (USA TODAY, 10/21).
GENERAL: In Dallas, Darryl Richards writes on the WTA
Tour's search for a new CEO and title sponsor: "[B]y the
time Corel ends its title sponsorship agreement next year,
the WTA actually may be in a position of strength. With a
strong teenage crop that includes current No. 1 Martina
Hingis and potential superstars Venus Williams, Mirjana
Lucic and Anna Kournikova, the WTA has a much more
marketable product (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/21)....The AFL
will stage an exhibition game in Calgary at the Saddledome
on December 4. The game will be put on by Gridiron
Enterprises, which owns worldwide rights to AFL games (AFL).
