NFL: In Newark, Paul Needell reports that all NFL teams
will "receive a directive" today from Commissioner Paul
Tagliabue about taunting players after scoring a touchdown,
especially in regards to the throat-slashing gesture by some
players (see THE DAILY, 11/22). NFL VP/Communications Greg
Aiello: "This is going to be stopped. ... It's gathered
momentum, and it is an issue." Packers QB Brett Favre, who
used a throat-slashing act against the Lions Sunday: "I
don't care if I get fined or not. I don't care who likes it
or doesn't like it" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 11/23).
SOCIAL ISSUE? Heat G Tim Hardaway, on African-American
NBA coaches: "We have some nice black coaches in this
league. ... Yet when [they] get a head coaching gig, a lot
of players take nights off on them. And that's wrong.
That's real wrong. Our players need to respect black
coaches, because that's what they'd do for the white coach.
... It's a real problem" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 11/21).
KICKIN' IT: DC United President Kevin Payne, a
"frequent critic" of former MLS Commissioner Doug Logan, on
new Commissioner Don Garber: "He's doing everything right"
(USA TODAY, 11/23). MLS takes out a half-page ad in USA
TODAY congratulating DC United on winning the MLS Cup and
promoting its new TV schedule on ESPN/ESPN2: "See Major
League Soccer On Soccer Saturdays In 2000" (11/23).
SCHOOL DAZE: In N.Y., Robin Finn reports that WTA Tour
player Venus Williams has twice "demanded, and received"
special midweek starts at tournaments "because she prefers
to spend" Mondays and Tuesdays "in pursuit of an associate's
degree in residential design." WTA Tour CEO Bart McGuire
said, "We're working with the Williams sisters and their
agents to make sure the tournament commitments they make are
honored because that's extremely important to the
credibility of the tour." Finn, on Venus Williams: "It's
special treatment, sure, but to withhold permission puts WTA
Tour executives in the unflattering position of hindering
the player's public, image-enhancing attempt to blend elite
athletics and higher education" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/23).
