MLB: The AP's Ronald Blum cites an annual survey
released by the MLBPA which shows that the average MLB
salary "soared" 17.5% to $1,895,630 this season. The
Yankees had the highest average salary for the second
straight year at $3,656,542. The Twins had the lowest
average at $601,680 (AP, 12/20). Meanwhile, The Sporting
News' Ken Rosenthal and agent Jeff Moorad discussed MLB's
escalating contracts on the "Last Word." Rosenthal said
owners must increase revenue sharing and the players must
"come to some agreement or consensus as well and say, 'Hey,
things have to change and maybe we've got to be a part of
that.' Now they're not going to do that until the owners
share their revenue." Moorad: "I think that the owners are
the ones that have the challenge of righting the ship, ...
and I think that they need to come up with a system, perhaps
it's a system more like the [NFL]." Rosenthal said, "I
think we're absolutely looking at another work stoppage, and
one of the problems to me is the sport's leadership."
Moorad: "I don't think a salary cap is ever going to be part
of the baseball landscape" ("Last Word," FSN, 12/20).
WPFL: The VILLAGE VOICE's Joanna Cagan profiles the new
Women's Pro Football League and writes, "With snappy logos,
modern Web sites, and smart quotable jocks, the WPFL's got
everything going for it -- everything except the fan base,
infrastructure, corporate sponsorship, financial stability,
and broadcast deals that are usually de rigueur for
successful sports leagues. Let's just say this part of the
revolution in women's sports definitely will not be
televised." IMG Dir of Consulting David Abrutyn: "My guess
is that if these franchises were playing at high school
fields, drawing three or four thousand people, providing
some family entertainment, and showing off some women's
athleticism, that's probably a success -- if they can do
that on a year to year basis" (VILLAGE VOICE, 12/20 issue).
NOTES: The NLL begins its fourth season tonight and USA
TODAY's Eddie Timanus writes that the league "has been
called the best-kept secret in sports." But Commissioner
Jim Jennings "hopes to change that." Jennings: "I think
this league is set to take off. Our average attendance was
a shade under 10,000 last year. My goal is to get that up
to 12,000 this season" (USA TODAY, 12/21)....In L.A., Rich
Hammond writes on ABA 2000, which begins Tuesday. L.A. Stars
GM Steve Chase: "If we can't get 4,500 people to watch a
team score 200 points, something is very wrong with my
perception of sports in Los Angeles" (L.A. DAILY NEWS,
12/21)....The AHL and the PHPA signed a new five-year CBA
through the 2004-05 season. The CBA provides for increased
contributions towards health and welfare benefits, as well
as increases in per diem and minimum player salaries (AHL).
