NHL: FSN's Keith Olbermann: "The [NHLPA] is concerned
about Owner Mario Lemieux returning to play for the
Penguins. The union says it might have to fight Lemieux's
'low' salary and it's worried that his dual role might put
'undue pressure' on teammates in labor negotiations.
Reality check, boys: your league is dying. [Wayne] Gretzky
retired, your Canadian franchises are starving, you do not
have one winner in a big market, and a superstar ... is
coming out of retirement. Mario's return might save the
jobs of 90 of your members, so shut up!" ("Keith Olbermann
Evening News," FSN, 12/17)....In N.Y., Larry Brooks reported
that the NHL "claims attendance is up, and presumably the
league has the data to support that assertion." Brooks:
"But if it's a fact that more tickets than ever have
actually been sold, then it is also a fact that more people
than ever before are deciding that their paid-for tickets
are not worth using. That's the critical issue the league
must address, and address as comprehensively and creatively
as possible" (N.Y. POST, 12/17)....In Toronto, Damien Cox
wrote that of "the four coaches canned this season," the
Mighty Ducks' Craig Hartsburg, the Canadiens Alain Vigneault
and the Bruins' Pat Burns "were dumped partially because of
attendance issues" (TORONTO STAR, 12/16)....The NHL will
hold the '02 Draft in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre
(BLOOMBERG NEWS, 12/16).
NFL: In Boston, Will McDonough reported that NFL teams
were told the salary cap next season will go from $62M to
$67M, on the way to $80M by '03 (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/16)....An
official from Steinberg, Moorad & Dunn said that a petition
to recover $88,000 in outstanding fees from representing
late Chiefs LB Derrick Thomas had been "filed, but would be
immediately dropped" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/17).
