Magic G and player rep Chris Duhon said on a scale from 1-10, the chance of an NBA lockout this summer is an "8." Duhon: "We're so far apart. I think it's going to take a while. Right now, we're watching what's going on with the NFL as far as maybe backup plans or anything to help try to speed up the process. But we have a long ways to go." If there is a lockout, Duhon said that the NBPA is "trying to set up locations around the country where players can train and have access to strength-and-conditioning specialists and athletic trainers" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 5/1). Meanwhile, ESPN.com's Howard Bryant said of the NFL lockout, "One court ended the lockout, the NFL found another to keep it going. You know who should be paying the most attention to this? David Stern" ("Outside The Lines," ESPN, 5/1).
NOTHING TO SEE HERE: F1 Management Chair Bernie Ecclestone said that News Corp "would effectively be blocked from buying his racing series due to an agreement he has made with the European Commission." Following speculation that News Corp could make a bid for F1, Ecclestone said, "I'm sure the European Commission wouldn't let it go through because our agreement with them was to keep F1 on free-to-air television." In London, Sylt & Reid noted Ecclestone believes F1 to be worth $6-7B, which "would make it hard for News Corp to justify the purchase knowing it would then be forced to allow its free-to-air rivals to broadcast the racing series" (London INDEPENDENT, 4/30).
UNITED WE STAND: In Charlotte, Jim Utter reported under a new program named "NASCAR Unites," the NASCAR Foundation "will help focus attention on initiatives to improve the lives of children." Along with "continuing its annual NASCAR Day program, the foundation this summer will encourage fans to pledge at least five hours of volunteer service to help generate more then a million hours of giving back to local communities" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/30). The NASCAR Foundation will give $1M to children's charities this year (AP, 4/30).
WELCOME TO RIO: The NBA, the city of Rio de Janeiro, Inter-American Development Bank and the FC Barcelona Foundation have announced an initiative to improve the lives of underprivileged children in Rio. The "Alliance for Sport and Development" is designed to strength 18 "Villa Olimpicas" in the city by promoting social inclusion through sports (NBA).
