NHL: In Toronto, David Roberts writes that L.A.- and
Winnipeg-based Pro Ice Management Group CEO Grant Skinner
has "devised a 'politically neutral' way" for the Canadian
government to subsidize Canada's NHL teams: "Make Uncle Sam
pay." Skinner said that Canadian provinces "could profit by
levying" an income tax on U.S.-based players, which "could
generate as much as" $12M per year (GLOBE & MAIL, 1/25).
ESPN.com's Brian Shactman, on the failed plan for Canada's
NHL teams to receive financial assistance: "What must be
pointed out is that the league and owners deserve the
criticism here. Not the players, governments or fans.
Hockey doesn't have the same revenue streams as baseball,
basketball or football" (ESPN.com, 1/25). In Toronto,
Jeffrey Simpson: "If professional hockey teams disappear,
most of the disposable income spent watching them will
remain in the area" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/25).
NOTES: The AHL announced that Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
(PA) will host the 2001 AHL All-Star Classic (AHL)....In
Miami, Stephen Holder reported that the Women's Professional
Football League's (WPFL) All-Star Game drew an estimated
1,200 fans to the Orange Bowl Saturday (MIAMI HERALD, 1/23).
In Palm Beach, Joe Capozzi wrote that the two-team WPFL will
expand to six by adding teams in Dallas, St. Louis,
Rochester and Miami. Capozzi added that the WPFL "will play
a demonstration game" in Atlanta during Super Bowl week in a
bid to "attract major sponsors" (PALM BEACH POST, 1/23).
