THE DAILY Provides A Round-Up Of "Playmakers" Reviews

With ESPN's first scripted series, "Playmakers," debuting tonight, some wonder whether this edgy, hard-hitting drama might be too risque for mainstream viewers, and whether women will stay tuned to a football-centered drama despite a dearth of real female characters. Another question is if the show will appeal to ESPN's core audience. In N.Y., Alessandra Stanley: "It is hard to imagine that regular ESPN viewers will want to watch a show that is so suited in tone and temperament to watchers of TNT or the Lifetime channel."

Net Loss
State of NJ rejects Corzine-Kushner request for $100M-plus subsidy toward Nets purchase.

Ready OR Not?
Oregon House passes ballpark financing bill; effort still lacks MLB commitment, owner.

New York State Of Mind
Wachovia signs deal with NFL Giants to help bolster N.Y. presence.

The Jordan Rules
MJ reportedly given Labor Day deadline to decide on Bobcats.

Oh Won't You Stay?
Facing heavy subscriber defections, AOL enhances NFL content agreement.

Making Their Connection
Recently spurned by Suns, America West signs three-year deal with Coyotes.

Welcome Back
Dan Patrick's return to 6pm "SportsCenter" marked by tense interview with Mark Cuban.

High Pitch Count
Agent asks Marlins to scale back off-field activities for exhausted Dontrelle Willis.

"People are outraged. As a New Yorker, as a chick from Queens, I think that's terrible."

— Tennis analyst Mary Carillo, on the U.S. Open's ban on outside food, which was reversed ("PTI," 8/25).