NHL Action Debuts Tonight

The NHL season opens tonight after "an unprecedented summer of player movement ... and an uncharacteristically quiet offseason in the league's front office," according to Jason La Canfora of the WASHINGTON POST. While NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stresses the season begins amid great "stability," others point toward '04 and the possible shutdown looming over the game. Stars C Mike Modano: "I think everybody is looking at a two- or three-year window before the lockout happens and they shut the season down."

The Show Must Go On
Most OPUS sponsors going forward with hospitality around '02 Games despite terrorist threats and economic downturn.

Everybody Loves Raymond...
Ray Anderson's AR Sports completes merger with Octagon.

...Except ABC And The NFL
Early line on NFL ratings shows 12% drop on "MNF," hurt by game matchups and CBS' lineup led by "Raymond."

Canada Dry
TSN may cancel Canadiens telecasts sensing lack of buzz around once-storied franchise.

Grand Plan
Lakers' Jerry Buss calls for slowdown on salaries in effort to curb ticket prices.

Not So Fast...
Schiller says he is not out at YankeeNets, but one NJ exec calls him a "PR disaster."

Time Is Money
Superdome name deal may not be done in time for Super Bowl.