In Lexington, Janet Patton writes that the NTRA
yesterday "approved in principle a near-total" merger with
the KY-based Breeders' Cup (see THE DAILY, 5/23). NTRA
VP/Communications Chip Tuttle: "All that's left are a couple
of formalities nothing's going to slow this deal down. This
still falls short of a full corporate merger. It's a
hybrid." Patton adds that the deal "is expected to close in
30 to 60 days," and both organizations "may be moving into
new offices" in Lexington. But the NTRA will "retain a New
York presence" (LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, 8/11)....Canucks GM
Brian Burke, on NHL expansion: "I think expansion has been
good for our teams. Let's face it, we can all use the money
we get from expansion and I think we all benefit from the
fact that there are only so many squares on the chess board"
(ESPN.com, 8/10)....GOLF WORLD's Geoff Russell writes that
now that the "controversy involving" the TPA "seems to have
died out -- at least for the time being" -- PGA Tour
officials "may have to turn their attention to another labor
dispute." Russell cites a source as saying that the
"agronomists who prepare the courses each week on the PGA,
Senior PGA and BUY.com tours are unhappy with their working
conditions and might soon form a union" (GOLF WORLD, 8/11).
CLARIFICATION: Final 2000 WNBA announced attendance was
down 11.4% from last year, and the Liberty and Comets both
posted increases in average attendance (THE DAILY).
