In N.Y., Michael Lewis writes that the successor to
U.S. Soccer President Alan Rothenberg "will certainly have
one tough act to follow" as Rothenberg's "influence on the
federation and soccer politics will be felt for years to
come." The election between Dr. Robert Contiguglia and
Larry Monaco "appears too close to call." Contiguglia has
Rothenberg's backing, along with MLS, the A-League and
USISL. Monaco is "expected to get the bulk" of his votes
from the U.S. Amateur Soccer Assoc. (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/20).
OTHER NOTES: NEWSDAY's Latin American correspondent
Geoffrey Mohan writes on the NFL in Mexico under the header,
"NFL Is Hot Ticket South Of The Border." Judging by the
ability of fans for Monday night's American Bowl to "follow
the game ... American-style football is popular and pretty
well understood here." Mohan: "Like their neighbors up
north, Mexicans take this game seriously" (NEWSDAY, 8/20).
...LPGA Commissioner Jim Ritts said that this could be the
last year that the Rainbow Foods LPGA Classic takes place in
MN. IMG has said it will move the event if a new long-term
sponsor can't be found. But Ritts said that another LPGA
event could replace the event in MN "as soon as" 2000 (ST.
PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/20). Ritts added that the Tour should
be "receiving significant TV dollars within five to 10
years." Ritts: "It's a slow-moving train. We've seen an
evolution where even in the time-buy situations, the
networks are sharing risk with us." He added that the LPGA
is receiving rights fees from The Golf Channel and that
Lifetime will broadcast its first LPGA event this year.
Ritts: "Within three years, if all our events aren't on TV,
I'll be very surprised" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/20).
...Jazz F Karl Malone, on the NBA's CBA talks: "The whole
fact of the matter is they want a hard cap, but they don't
care when it's effective." He added that at the last NBA
negotiating meeting "there was two or three owners in that
room that wanted to get a deal done" ("Up Close," ESPN,
8/19)....In Toronto, Grant Kerr profiled the new Southern
Elite Hockey League, which is based in Clearwater, FL. The
seven-team league is looking to recruit 16-21-year-olds via
its beach location. FL Gulls GM/coach Stephen Heisler: "If
you're going to woo a players with females, we're in the
right spot. We also tell our kids we go to the beach every
week for dryland camp, and that works pretty good, too. We
also have the original Hooters here" (GLOBE & MAIL, 8/18).
