ABL: The ABL signed Jennifer Azzi to a four-year
contract extension (ABL). League CEO Gary Cavalli said
Azzi's signing means 29 of the ABL's top 35 players have
signed contract extensions. Cavalli: "We expect three more
to be announced soon, leaving three others who want to
wait." The Rage's Dawn Staley has yet to resign and Cavalli
said Staley is "very, very important to the league.
Obviously she's No. 1 on our list" (PHILA. INQUIRER, 10/24).
GENERAL: MLS Deputy Commissioner Sunil Gulati said that
the league will likely retain all its foreign players in
'98, and he predicts that about 20 new international players
will come into the league next season (USA TODAY, 10/24).
...CART's season-opening Marlboro Grand Prix has been moved
from March 1 to March 15 "in order to secure a better" TV
package. Details of the TV deal were not disclosed (STAR-
NEWS, 10/24)....The Pacers-Hornets exhibition game on
Tuesday in Nashville drew 9,338 at the 16,000-plus seat
Nashville arena (NASHVILLE BANNER, 10/23)....The Panthers
have filed a grievance with the NFL Management Council. The
team is looking to collect the unpaid fines that former
Panther Kevin Greene incurred during his holdout. It is also
looking to recoup a $350,000 roster bonus that it paid
Greene last February. The matter goes before an independent
arbitrator next week (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/24).
