League Notes

Gammons Warns MLB Teams Attendance Expected To Be Down 17-20% This Season

ESPN.com's Peter Gammons reported MLB has warned its teams that attendance is expected to be down 17-20% this season, and that "it could be worse, especially for franchises such as" the Padres, Blue Jays, Tigers, Indians, Astros, Rockies and "others that could be seriously impacted by the recession" (ESPN.com, 3/9).

GREATER VISIBILITY: In Illinois, Mike Imrem wrote in order for the Blackhawks to expand their fan base to "what it should be, people are going to have to become familiar" with the NHL. The league's primary TV partner in the U.S., Versus, is a "cable channel few stumble across." Hockey is an "afterthought on ESPN," while Chicago-area media "rank the sport behind football, baseball and basketball." NHL fans know that Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin is the league's leading scorer, but "how many potential hockey fans ... know that name and what sport he plays?" (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 3/8).

HOLDING COURT: WNBA President Donna Orender yesterday said that she is "confident about the league's viability," and she does not see the recent roster reductions from 13 to 11 players "negatively affecting teams." Monarchs GM John Whisenant said that the "effect is he must look for more versatile players when assembling his roster." Whisenant: "There's going to be jobs lost, and it's sad. But it's sad that jobs are lost with the recession we are in. We are just part of it" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 3/10).