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Leagues and Governing Bodies

AFL COMMISH TARGETS EXPANSION PLANS WITH BAKER'S DOZEN

          AFL Commissioner David Baker "unveiled" plans yesterday
     for the league to "grow from its present" 15 teams to "as
     many as" 28 by 2004, according to Mark Singelais of the
     Albany TIMES UNION, who noted that the plan includes an
     "assumption that the NFL will become a partner."  Baker, on
     the NFL's interest: "It's not even something I'm thinking
     about."  In "jest," Baker added NFL owners have "spent so
     much in attorneys' fees, I guarantee they're serious." 
     Baker said that reps from CBS, CBS Cable, ESPN, ABC and NBC
     have shown "interest" in the AFL's broadcast rights. 
     Singelais: "It's the first time that more than one network
     has negotiated for Arena broadcast rights, a sign of growing
     respect for the league."  Meanwhile, Baker announced that an
     ownership group "headed by" former AFL and CBA Commissioner
     Jim Drucker has "purchased a team that might begin" play in
     2002.  The group is "looking at" Philadelphia, DC and Salt
     Lake City as "possible locations" (TIMES UNION, 8/20).

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