ABA 2000: In Indianapolis, Hank Lowenkron wrote that
Indianapolis "will be the headquarters" for the American
Basketball Association, known as ABA 2000. League co-
Founder Joe Newman said that the league will use the red-
white-and-blue basketball "made popular" by the old ABA.
Newman also added that more than 50% of the league's
ownership will be African-Americans (AP, 6/24). In
Pittsburgh, Dave Mackall writes that a series of regional
news conferences "are being planned to introduce"
prospective team owners in the 12 cities. Newman said that
the Pittsburgh team "might play" its home games at the Civic
Arena. Newman: "We have ties with several SMG-managed
facilities" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 6/25). On Long
Island, Ryan Basen reports that the Long Island team
"probably will play" at the Nassau Coliseum (NEWSDAY, 6/25).
In Nashville, Anthony Coleman writes, "The most likely venue
for an ABA 2000 franchise would be Municipal Auditorium or
Nashville Arena" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 6/25).
MORE NOTES: MLS will reach an all-time attendance of 10
million at one of five games this weekend. MLS players and
teams will present fan appreciation programs at each of the
league's 12 stadiums (MLS)....The CA Fall League will begin
its inaugural season in September, and will run from '99-01,
per its agreement with MLB. The league will consist of
first-year minor leaguers from Double A and below, with
teams in Lake Elsinore, Lancaster, Rancho Cucamonga and San
Bernardino (MLB)....The All England Club hosted 40,312 for
Wimbledon's fourth day of tennis, the "largest crowd in the
113 years" of the event (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 6/25)....In
Boston, Gregg Krupa examines the latest wave of NHL
expansion and writes: "Overall, many observers think [NHL
Commissioner Gary] Bettman's expansion plans make sense --
as long as the talent holds out" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/25).
