THIS STUFF KIXX: In Philadelphia, the NPSL Kixx lead
the league in attendance. The second-year team is averaging
8,751 fans, almost 1,000 more than last season. Kixx Owner
Ed Tepper said that the team's popularity increased when
Comcast SportsNet broadcast 12 home games: "That (TV) gave
us a basis with the fans. ... It's been amazing. We've
already had seven games with over 10,000 in attendance.
This just goes to show that Saturday night soccer works in
Philadelphia" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 3/19).
NBA: SI's Jackie MacMullan reports that the Warriors
have hired a PR firm "to help them accentuate the positives
of their franchise" (SI, 3/23 issue)....In NEW YORK, Jacob
Lewis reports that a Nets exec was spotted recently at a
Knicks game "attempting to poach some of the celebrities who
are treated to courtside tickets" at MSG. Lewis: "One well-
known entertainer was offered choice seats at a Nets games
and limousine service to and from the Meadowlands, as well
as a ball-boy gig for his son." Nets Dir of PR John Mertz
said that the team was not trying to "steal" anyone, but
conceded that Nets would not be above "providing
transportation to and from the game" (NEW YORK, 3/23 issue).
NOTES: IHL Las Vegas Thunders part-Owner Ken Stickney
denied reports that the team was involved in negotiations
with Promotion Management Inc. about a possible move to
Green Bay, WI, where PMI is the contractor of a proposed
11,000-seat arena scheduled to open in 2000. Stickney did
say that PMI has been dealing with Mandalay Sports
Entertainment, the parent company of the Thunder and other
minor-league franchises. Stickney, on future plans for him
and Mandalay Sports: "Our whole plan is to own 10, 15 teams
in different sports, in different cities, at different
levels. ... We're trying to look to expand our business"
(LAS VEGAS SUN, 3/18)....In N.Y., industry sources said that
the Yankees' payroll for the '98 season is an MLB high $72M,
slightly more than the Orioles' payroll (N.Y. POST, 3/19).
...ESPN's Bob Ley reported that the NFL will award Cleveland
an expansion team, and that NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue
said that "the approval could come Sunday at the league
meetings in Orlando" (ESPN, 3/18)....The MLS Fire have sold
"about" 3,000 season tickets (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/19).
