In N.Y., Mitch Lawrence cites sources who indicated that the NBA has "scrubbed its annual Las Vegas summer league and has also scuttled its annual summer internship program." The moves are "two more signs" that the league is "gearing up for a lockout starting July 1." The summer league "normally starts around July 9, with upwards of 20 teams." In preparation for a lockout, the NBA also is "not sending any teams abroad for training camp, and did not schedule any preseason games in Europe for this fall" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/13). In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell wrote he thinks the NBA and NBPA are "so far apart that a lockout could last a long time -- maybe even wipe out next season." But he added, "I suspect any system that replaces the current one aids teams like the Bobcats. ... While nobody looks forward to losing games -- that can only harm the Bobcats' marketing -- it's conceivable the team would lose less money in the short run, wiping out some player payroll in November and December and sacrificing game revenue over the same span" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/10).
AMERICAN IDLE: In Jacksonville, Garry Smits wrote "instead of American stars with high expectations such as Dustin Johnson, Nick Watney, Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson, it's been the youth among international players who have taken charge" at golf's majors recently. Charl Schwartzel "became the third consecutive international player in his 20s to win a major," and Graeme McDowell won the U.S. Open last year "at the age of 30." Smits also noted international players have won "five of the last six" majors and "eight of the last 10" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 4/12). In Nashville, Joe Biddle wrote, "Professional golf has fallen victim to an international invasion." Foreign golfers "now hold all four majors" and have won "11 of 16 majors." Biddle: "Where are America's stars of the future?" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 4/12).
PLAYOFF EXPANSION ON HORIZON? On Long Island, Anthony Rieber notes MLB Commissioner Bud Selig last week in an interview with Sirius XM's Chris Russo said that "adding an extra wild card team in each league" and an "extra round to the postseason is possible starting in 2012." Selig: "We're working on that. I'm not sure where we are on that. I like the idea, but we've got a lot of details to work out." Rieber notes with the CBA "set to expire in December, adding two more playoff teams will be on the table." Rieber: "Expect it to get done" (NEWSDAY, 4/13).
