REDSKINS TOP $100M: In DC, Mark Maske reports that
Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder "has assembled what could be
the most expensive team in the history of the NFL -- and
possibly in the history of professional sports in the United
States." The team will pay its players "about" $100M this
season, including salaries and "more than" $50M in signing
bonuses allocated this offseason (WASHINGTON POST, 6/22).
MLB: Also in DC, Dick Heller writes that an MLB team
relocating to the DC area is "not going to happen unless the
Washington area is united behind one ownership group and one
location for a ballpark." MLB "is leery" of DC, and "unless
it is confronted by a stable, united ownership gang with
plenty of money, strong political connections, and completed
plans for a ballpark with public and private financing in
place" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 6/22)....Ilitch Holdings co-
President Christopher Ilitch, on the Tigers: "We're excited
about the Tigers. It's hard to look at them right now and
look at their [27-39] record. There's so many great things
happening. You look at where we're sitting here today,
Comerica Park. This is a huge part of being successful in
the sports business, especially in baseball, so that's a
huge step in the right direction" ("RSR," FSN, 6/21)....N.Y.
Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, on Braves P John Rocker stating his
intention to ride N.Y.'s No. 7 train upon his return to the
city: "I don't think it's a good idea for him to ride the
train. I don't think he'll do it." Giuliani added that
"more than" 500 police officers will be assigned to Shea
Stadium for the four-game Braves-Mets series beginning next
Thursday (N.Y. POST, 6/22). Giuliani said the city was
"trying to prevail upon the Atlanta Braves for this [Rocker
taking the subway] not to happen" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/22).
NOTES: In L.A., Grahame Jones reports that "only"
10,271 fans attended yesterday's Fire-Galaxy game, the
Galaxy's fifth straight attendance drop since 40,303 "came
to see" the debut of MF Luis Hernandez on May 20 (L.A.
TIMES, 6/22)....The Mavericks have 13 assistant coaches and
team Owner Mark Cuban said, "If I've got millions of dollars
invested in a guy, if it takes two coaches to get him where
I need to be, I'll hire ten coaches" ("Last Word," 6/21).
