NBA Set To Open Season Tonight With Doubleheader

The NBA’s season-opening issues do not match the tempest of last year’s dress code, but this year has been filled with a number of disparate story lines that are all prevalent in our special issue today. But the consensus is that the league is better-positioned than it has been in some time. Its business is healthy, it has made strides in improving player image, it has a deep bench of appealing individual stars and its quality of play has become attractive again.

Brushback Pitch
Harold Reynolds files wrongful termination suit against former employer ESPN.

Rocky Road
Coors extends Broncos deal, looks to add more teams to complement NFL sponsorship.

Tuition Fees
Myles Brand defends NCAA’s tax-exempt status, puts onus on schools to scale back spending.

Apple Turnovers
NFL owners express concern on cost of Giants-Jets stadium.

Sharpening His Skates
Former NFL exec John Collins joining NHL as Exec VP/Corporate Sales & Marketing.

Buffett Line
Berkshire Hathaway’s acquisition of Russell Athletic doubles brand’s marketing budget.

Friends With Money
SI’s Peter King praises Roger Goodell for hefty fine against key advocate Dan Rooney.

The Whole 110 Yards
Stanley Cup Finals, World Cup partly to blame for 8% drop in CFL television ratings.