WNBA: In DC, the Mystics finished their inaugural
season averaging 15,898 fans per game, tops in the WNBA, and
Michael Wilbon writes, "Demographically speaking, this has
to be the best place in the United States to put a women's
professional team. The D.C. area has the most affluent,
best-educated women in America." Wilbon: "Remember that old
phrase 'family entertainment'? That's what the Mystics
provide. That's what the WNBA provides" (WASHINGTON POST,
8/20). But in UT, columnist Doug Robinson criticizes the
Starzz for their combined 15-43 record in two seasons: "The
women still aren't treated like the men; they're treated
better. They're getting the kid-glove treatment. ... The
Starzz are a bad basketball team. ... When has a team and a
league ever been cut such slack or treated with such
benevolence and patience?" (DESERET NEWS, 8/20). Last night
in Detroit, the Shock beat the Liberty before a franchise-
record crowd of 16,246 (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 8/20).
NOTES: The NFL Oilers have sold out a home game "for
the first time since relocating" to TN. Oilers Dir of
Ticket Sales Marty Collins said that a few single game
tickets remained for the November 15 game against the
Steelers, but that it had been declared a sellout at 41,149
(AP/CBS SportsLine, 8/20)....In S.F., Glenn Dickey reports
that an NFL source said Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will
hold another hearing on whether 49ers co-Owner Eddie
DeBartolo or his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, should run
the team. Dickey: "My guess is that Tagliabue is waiting to
see if DeBartolo is indicted in the Louisiana gambling
probe, but there's still no indication when indictments will
be issued in that case" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/20).
