In Winston-Salem, Mike Mulhern reports that Team Sabco
Owner Felix Sabates "appears to be maneuvering to get out of
[NASCAR] after more than 10 years and countless millions of
dollars spent" (WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 5/19). In NC, Monte
Dutton writes that Sabates is negotiating with CART Owner
Chip Ganassi about a "partnership" that would give Ganassi a
share of Sabates' two-car Winston Cup team. An announcement
"is expected by July" (GASTON GAZETTE, 5/19).
A SUCCESSFUL SEASON? In Baltimore, Scott Graham reviews
the inaugural season of the IBL. IBL VP/Basketball
Operations George Blaney: "We're a good example of something
you don't see everyday -- a minor league basketball league,
playing in major markets and showing real signs of growth."
But Graham notes that the league "lost money" last season
partly due to its ownership of three franchises throughout
most of the season. Also, average game attendance was 3,100
-- "at least 1,000 fans shy of what league officials
targeted as a break-even point" (BALT. BUS. JOURNAL, 5/15).
NOTES: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick notes that former HBO
Sports Senior VP/Programming Lou DiBella would "make a
superb National Boxing Commissioner" (N.Y. POST,
5/19)....BLOOMBERG NEWS' Scott Newman reported that NHL
players participating in the 2002 Olympics will each receive
a "luxury travel package for a guest worth at least
$10,000." The package, brokered by the NHLPA with the IIHF,
includes first-class airfare, hotel accommodations and
tickets to Olympic hockey games for a guest (BLOOMBERG NEWS,
5/18)....In DC, Patrick Hruby profiles the Stanley Cup,
which is the "most well-traveled, well-used and (sometimes)
well-abused" sports trophy. Hockey Hall of Fame Curator and
Stanley Cup chaperon Phil Pritchard, on the trophy being
used as a drink receptacle: "You get beer, champagne. In
Russia, it was vodka. So every day, we put on a different
hat and become Cup cleaners. Before we go to each player's
house, we shine it up for them" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 5/19).
