ABL: In Denver, Michael Kane reported that the ABL,
which "regarded the open-season advantage in playing" during
the lockout, "certainly hadn't planned on a decrease" in
attendance. The Xplosion's two-game total of 6,227 is down
from the 6,309 at the same time last year. Xplosion GM Lark
Birdsong, who stepped down this week, on capitalizing during
the lockout: "We don't have the same fans. ... The ABL's
demographic is about 60 to 65 percent young females. We're
better served focusing on our audience" (DENVER POST,
11/19). In Nashville on Tuesday, only 1,511 attended the
Lasers-Noise game. Lasers G Jennifer Azzi, noting the
attendance: "I'm disappointed in the crowd. I think they
should get more people in the gym" (TENNESSEAN, 11/19).
NOTES: In N.Y., George Vecsey profiles new NHL Senior
VP & Dir of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell, who has handed
out suspensions resulting in 41 games lost -- plus lost
salary. Last season at this time, the NHL levied six games
in suspensions. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman: "I think
he's off to a terrific start" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/20). ...In
Boston, Michael Felger examined the NHL's inability to
capitalize on the NBA lockout and wrote, "Fans looking for
pro sports entertainment on weekday nights now have only one
choice. And they're still not choosing hockey." Bruins C
Anson Carter told Felger: "A lot of people know more about
the WNBA than us" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/19).
NASCAR's three-year Japan experiment expires after the
Coca-Cola 500 takes place Saturday. NASCAR VP Paul Brooks
said that there "have been inquiries" from Russia, Europe
and South America about hosting other exhibition races
(CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/20)....The CART Target Grand Prix,
which will be the first race held in Sportsman's Park in
Chicago, has had more than 4,500 calls to its ticket-inquiry
line and 14 of the facility's 42 skyboxes have already been
leased at $25,000 a year (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/20).
