ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark noted it is expected that the '13 MLB schedule "will be released in the next week.” Each team will play 20 interleague games, 76 division games (19 versus each opponent) and 66 games (against the other 10 opponents in a club's league). Each team in a division will “play all of the same opponents, except for four interleague ‘rivalry’ games.” The “only glitch is that teams won't play exactly the same number of games against each opponent." Sources said that at least two variations of the schedule were “rejected and sent back to the schedule wizards for adjustments.” Stark reported those issues have now been “largely addressed” (ESPN.com, 9/9).
TWO MORE GAMES: FOXSPORTSSOUTHWEST.com's Jon Machota noted Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones "would like to see the NFL play only two preseason games and expand the regular season to 18 games." During an appearance on KRLD-FM, Jones said, "We really talked about it a lot in the negotiations with the players. The league had the right to do that with the consent of the players. Over the last television contracts, we all agreed that we would all agree to expand it if we did go to 18 and two preseason (games). I’m for that.” He added, “As far as the NFL is concerned, I think it’s a real positive” (FOXSPORTSSOUTHWEST.com, 9/7).
GOING TO THE BASKET: In Boston, Gary Washburn noted the American Basketball League, which starts in January with the backing of music exec Steve Rifkind, will find it “difficult to compete" with the NBA D-League due to the NBA's backing. The talent level of players who are “likely to begin the new league will be low, but playing with FIBA rules could be appealing, and Rifkind will add flair” (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/9).
