In L.A., Lance Pugmire cites a source as saying that the NBPA "does not feel compelled to decertify before the owners institute a lockout, content to watch the NFL model unfold." The union yesterday confirmed Exec Dir Billy Hunter's memo to players, "in which he said the NBA is seeking a hard salary cap of $45 million per team with more clamps on guaranteed player contracts" (L.A. TIMES, 5/17).
PLACE YOUR BETS: In Las Vegas, Jon Ralston reported MLS Commissioner Don Garber last week "made calls to key Nevada lawmakers about an expansion team for Las Vegas, telling them he is supportive of the concept that needs approval from the Legislature for a taxing district near Mandalay Bay to fund a proposed arena/stadium/ballpark complex." Garber's move comes on the heels of Int'l Development Management President & CEO Chris Milam's purchase of the Triple-A PCL Las Vegas 51s and his "stated intentions to bring major league soccer and an NBA team to Las Vegas" (LASVEGASSUN.com, 5/15).
YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT: In Charlotte, Ron Green Sr. writes under the header, "PGA Tour Desperately Needs A Star." There have been 19 different winners in 21 PGA Tour events this year, which "shows how much talent there is out there." But the Tour "needs someone who goes in as the favorite every time he plays, whose resume reads like fiction, whose score is being watched by everyone else in the field, who hits shots we never forget" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/17). ESPN's Michael Wilbon said last weekend's The Players, in which 40-year-old K.J. Choi beat 44-year-old David Toms "wasn't exciting." Wilbon: "You have no young guns" ("PTI," ESPN, 5/16).
THE INSIDE JOB: The United Soccer Leagues yesterday announced that it "will operate the Major Indoor Soccer League beginning" with the '11-12 season. In the next few weeks, the MISL is "expected to announce additional franchises." In addition to the seven current MISL franchises, USL indoor teams from Norfolk, Rochester and Syracuse are "expected to join the MISL" (JSONLINE.com, 5/16). Chris Economides, Senior Dir of USL's pro leagues, will lead the MISL. Scheduling, competition and playoff format and rules for the MISL will be determined by the league’s BOG (K.C. STAR, 5/17).
