The IRL "will announce new rules Tuesday, although the
move is not expected to lead to a reconciliation" with CART
(AP, 11/17)....MLB COO Paul Beeston, on the disparity
between MLB's large-and small-market franchises: "What's
happening is that a lot of small-market owners have figured
out that it does them no good to have a $35 million payroll
because they can't win, so they might as well have a $15
million or $20 million payroll and finish in the same place,
but with a few dollars in their pockets" (Peter Gammons,
ESPN.com, 11/16)....The WTA Tour's contract with MSG for the
Chase Championships runs through 2000 and USA TODAY's Doug
Smith notes that ATP CEO Mark Miles wants the men and women
to have a combined season-ending event. But WTA Tour CEO
Bart McGuire said, "It would be imprudent not to talk to the
ATP about having a combined men's and women's championship.
You've got to look at the alternatives" (USA TODAY, 11/17).
....The NFL said yesterday the tampering investigation of
Jets coach Bill Parcells was launched by Commissioner Paul
Tagliabue, and not the Patriots, as had been reported. In
N.Y., Gerald Eskenazi reports that all sides "point to a
quick resolution, with the likelihood of no significant
disciplinary action" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/17). CBS's Mike
Lombardi, who originally broke the report, told NEWSDAY's
Steve Zipay, "I expect the league to give this about 10
minutes worth of attention ... and dismiss it." Asked why
he led his "insider" report on Sunday with the news,
Lombardi said, "It was newsworthy" (NEWSDAY, 11/17)....ABL
Condors coach Jim Cleamons, on coaching in the league:
"These young ladies have renewed my energy with their
attitudes. They play hard, they want to learn. ... Best of
all, they listen" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 11/15).
