League Notes

Allen Being Mentioned As Candidate For Top Post At NHLPA

ESPN.com's Lester Munson cited sources as saying that attorney David Feher, a "veteran of labor wars in the NFL and the NBA," is interested in succeeding Paul Kelly as NHLPA Exec Dir. Feher has "negotiated eight major collective bargaining agreements" for various leagues. Meanwhile, former NFLPA Assistant Exec Dir Doug Allen also has been "mentioned as a possible successor" to Kelly. Allen recently was removed as Exec Dir of the Screen Actors Guild. Neither Feher nor Allen commented on the subject. But one attorney said, "The players are dividing into factions, the union's structure is deeply flawed, and I am not sure why anyone would even consider the job at this point" (ESPN.com, 10/9).

OPENING NIGHT REVIEWS: In Orlando, Sam Gardner noted the UFL Florida Tuskers defeated the N.Y. Sentinels 35-13 Saturday in front of an announced crowd of 11,203 at the Citrus Bowl (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/11). However, SI.com's Peter King writes there was "no buzz in Las Vegas or Orlando for the opening weekend" of the UFL. With the two games allegedly drawing 14,000 and 11,000, respectively, the "first weekend of the odd, four-team, six-games-per-team league was inauspicious,"  and the "wide swaths of empty seats at both games was embarrassing." King: "The only way the league can work is to be content being a Triple-A league with some borderline NFL players; to have the long view; to play on Thursday nights; and to not have the sort of visions of grandeur that the XFL and USFL had" (SI.com, 10/12).

KID'S PLAY: Penguins C Sidney Crosby said it is important for the NHL to "bring interest" to the game of hockey. Crosby: "It's up to the league to decide what strategies they want. I don't think the players necessarily should be the ones deciding what we do. As long as the players are willing to do their part, that's the most important thing." Meanwhile, Crosby admits "being more picky in what he does from a marketing point of view" (TORONTO SUN, 10/11).

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE: IRL driver Dario Franchitti Saturday captured the IndyCar Series title, collecting a $1M bonus for his Target Chip Ganassi team last night during the season-ending awards ceremony at the W Hotel in Miami. Also, Raphael Matos was named IndyCar Rookie of the Year, Graham Rahal received the Tony Renna Rising Star Award and J.R. Hildebrand received the Greg Moore Legacy Award (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/12).