NBA LABOR: On "SportsCenter," ESPN's David Aldridge
reported that NBA owners "are really hammering the union on
trying to get limitations on the Larry Bird exemption, and
the union is adamant about not having any exceptions and in
fact they want more exceptions to the cap. So what I think
we have to start with is the league's not giving up the
salary cap, the players aren't giving up the Larry Bird
exception. If both sides could agree on that as a starting
point and work their way in, I think that there would be a
much better chance of getting an agreement" (ESPN, 6/23).
THIS BUD'S FOR YOU: In Raleigh, a NEWS & OBSERVER
editorial titled "Say It Ain't So" comments on Bud Selig
being named full-time MLB Commissioner: "The game needs one
strong, independent leader who will serve the game and the
fans first. More of the same -- particularly if another
labor crisis is bungled -- will breed cynicism in all those
bleachers and boxes, and ultimately will diminish the
importance and popularity of baseball" (NEWS & OBSERVER,
6/24). In S.F., Glenn Dickey writes that Selig's "apparent
promotion bothers me," including the "way he campaigned for
the job. I'd have respected him if he said he wanted the
job, but instead, he's played the reluctant suitor while
actively lining up support" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/24).
NOTES: On "Page Six" of the N.Y. POST, Richard Johnson
writes that as the WNBA opens its second season, "basketball
fever appears to be the biggest thing to hit New York's
lesbian community since the craze over TV's popular 'Xena:
Warrior Princess.'" Out magazine writer Deb Schwartz: "The
WNBA won't comment, but it's pretty obvious that there's a
huge lesbian following. The games have become a place to
meet and greet." WNBA Dir of Corporate Communications Alice
McGillion said that the league "had no way of measuring the
degree of lesbian support." McGillion: "We don't ask people
that question (about their sexual orientation)" (N.Y. POST,
6/24)....USA TODAY continues to chart '97 NFL player
salaries with a list of all NFC salaries (USA TODAY, 6/24).
