NBC Sports Chair Dick Ebersol said that NBC "was
waiting" for the NHL "to decide" whether the league's
players will compete in the 2002 Olympic Games before
finalizing its programming schedule for the event. Ebersol
said that "depending on the NHL's decision, which is
expected to be made shortly, Olympic programming on one of
the cable channels could be devoted solely to hockey during
2002" (DESERET NEWS, 10/25)....In Salt Lake, Glen Warchol
reported on the three mascots for the 2002 Olympic Games and
wrote that Mattel "is coughing up" $1M in royalties for the
right to make the plush stuffed versions of the mascots.
Warchol, on SLOC's contest which asked residents to name the
three mascots: "Not surprising, SLOC is relieved one contest
write-in, 'Greed,' 'Graft' and 'Bribery,' didn't stand a
chance." SLOC Marketing Communications Dir Bob Hess, with
"tongue firmly planted in his check": "That guy obviously
doesn't understand the whole process" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE,
10/25)....In Colorado Springs, Ralph Routon calls on
outgoing USOC President Bill Hybl to remain in office: "You
don't have to leave. Not just yet. ... Many people don't
realize Hybl has been a stabilizing influence inside the
USOC for two decades" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 10/26).
