League Notes

NBA Fining Teams For Comments About College Stars

While the Celtics, Bobcats and Warriors were all fined for comments about or contact with families of Univ. of Texas F Kevin Durant and/or Ohio St. C Greg Oden, Hornets coach Byron Scott told the Daily Oklahoman, “Without a doubt, [they’re] going to be No. 1 and No. 2 [in the NBA Draft].” A Hornets spokesperson said that Scott’s comments “were a week old and that the team had not heard from the NBA regarding any possible fine” (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/20). Meanwhile, ESPNews’ Michael Kim reported Celtics Exec Dir of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge “claims he had no idea his seat at the Big 12 Tournament was next to the seat of Kevin Durant’s mother” (ESPNews, 3/19).

EXPLODING STAR: Predators GM David Poile said that Stars President Jim Lites’ comments criticizing the team for not recognizing Stars C Mike Modano setting an NHL record for most goals by a U.S.-born player Saturday at Nashville Arena “were surprising, disappointing and ‘extremely unprofessional.’” NHL Group VP/Media Relations Frank Brown said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman “thought those comments were inappropriate and that was conveyed by the commissioner to the Stars.” Brown would not say if Lites would face disciplinary action (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 3/20).

EVEN PLAYING FIELD: For the Pacific Life Open, which concluded Sunday, women received only $2.1M of the $5.6M total purse. Before the event decides to give equal prizes, PM Sports Management President Ray Moore and Pacific Life Open Chair Charlie Pasarell “want to be assured that women will be compelled to compete just as men are.” The ATP Tour requires its top 50 players to play in nine Masters Series events, of which the Pacific Life Open is one, but the WTA Tour “has not required its members to play” in the event (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/20).