USA TODAY's Jerry Potter reports that the LPGA Tour has
"found enough" corporate support to "guarantee the
Titleholders Championship will be held as scheduled May 6-9"
in Daytona Beach, FL. But the event's purse could be
reduced from last year's $1M, as golfers "could be playing
for $100,000 less." About six sponsors "have been added" to
join primary sponsor Mercury (USA TODAY, 3/11)....Value of
memorabilia signed by the late Joe DiMaggio "has soared in
the days following his death," as a baseball signed by him
for $300-400 "before his death could sell for double the
price" now (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 3/11)....NBA ref
Joe Crawford, when asked "how he liked" his Nike Air Jordans
while working a recent game: "They are fine, except they
cost me $150. Then the white on the bottom can't show so
the shoes have to be dyed. That's another $10" (SACRAMENTO
BEE, 3/10)....Referees of Bundesliga, Germany's top soccer
league, "want to" wear ads on their jerseys, which would be
"contrary" to FIFA regulations. Bundesliga referee
spokesperson Manfred Amerell: "No referee should be running
around looking like an advertising board but why not a small
button above the chest pocket" (SEATTLE TIMES, 3/10).
....Seattle-based Montrail and CA-based Patagonia will co-
title sponsor the 20th annual Montrail/Patagonia American
River 50-Mile Endurance Run (American River 50).
