Major thoroughbred sales companies are "preparing to
ask buyers" to pay a "special" 1% tax on the price of each
horse "bought at auction to provide additional funding" for
the NTRA. The NTRA is "intensely interested" in the
proposal because it could "significantly increase its
funding" from the auction segment. NTRA officials said that
the funding "could generate" $5M per year, compared to the
$1.2M it raised in FY '98. The money would be used to
"expand its marketing programs" (DAILY RACING FORM, 7/22).
WOMEN'S LEAGUE? In USA TODAY, Jerry Langdon follows up
on a SportsBusiness Journal report (see THE DAILY, 7/19)
that MLS owners are interested in playing a role in the
development of a pro women's soccer league. MLS Commissioner
Doug Logan "confirmed several owners have shown enthusiasm
for brainstorming such a league, but he cautioned nothing
firm financially has been established" (USA TODAY, 7/22).
In an online chat on ESPN.com, Michelle Akers discussed the
possibility of a women's pro league: "From the feedback I
have received from the supporters and financial backers of
the pro league, it is inevitable. The goal is to have it in
place in 2001, so keep your eyes out" (ESPN.com, 7/21).
Julie Foudy said the women's team will remain visible: "Next
year, it's not like we are falling off the map, we have the
Olympics. As everyone knows that is a great window of
opportunity for exposure for your sport" (N.Y. POST, 7/22).
In L.A., Diane Pucin compares the U.S women's soccer team to
the U.S. women's hockey gold-medal winners in Nagano. Cammi
Granato: "Watching the soccer team celebrate, I felt so good
for those girls. But I also realized how extremely
disappointing it's been for us. ... To go to [the Olympics]
and finally get the chance to be athletes at a world level
and then, the day it's over, to be forgotten in a sense.
That's hard." More Granato: "We'd hoped a professional
league of some sort would have started by now. I really
believe one would have worked" (L.A. TIMES, 7/22).
