While various ideas "have been suggested" to
financially aid Canada's six NHL franchises, from government
subsidies to lotteries, the TORONTO SUN's Jim Hunt writes,
"The one that makes the most sense is pay television."
Hunt, on a PPV proposal: "I don't know how it would work.
Perhaps you could buy a season's package. ... It's time
Canada's hockey fans put their money where their mouths have
been. It's the best hope for Canadian teams to get the
money to compete with the U.S. clubs" (TORONTO SUN, 5/15).
ALL-STAR ARTISTS: In Toronto, James Christie reported
that the NHL "put out a call for artists to submit works for
a high-profile show and auction of hockey-themed art" at the
2001 All-Star Game in Denver, but the "top criterion for
application is" artists must be a U.S. resident. Canadian
resident and hockey artist Ken Danby, on the provision: "I
don't know why they'd impose the criterion 'MUST be a U.S.
resident.' ... Art is international and so's sport. The
criteria should be quality and relevance to the subject."
But NHLE Community Relations Manager Adrienne Brautigan said
during the 2000 All-Star Game in Toronto, the league's art
program "only" took Canadian artists. Brautigan: "The next
one is in the United States, and U.S. artists are being
treated similarly" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 5/13).
FOR LOVE OF THE CUP: The Stanley Cup trophy was
featured in the studio of CBS' "The Early Show" this morning
with Bryant Gumbel and Jane Clayson (THE DAILY). In Boston,
Will McDonough wrote on the NHL's policy of winning players
and coaches taking the Cup for a day (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/13).
