While the NFL is the only league that will keep fans from "bringing most purses and almost all other types of bags" into games this year, other sports leagues and venues "are watching closely," according to a front-page piece by Jeff Mosier of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. National Center for Spectator Sports Safety And Security Dir Lou Marciani said that he "wouldn’t be surprised if other sports adopt a version of the rules when their new seasons start this fall and next spring." MLB is "reaching out to the NFL to find out more about this decision." The differences among the sports "could be as much a factor as how well the rules work for the NFL." MLB PR Senior Dir Mike Teevan said that MLB Commissioner Bud Selig's office has "asked the league’s security to consult with teams about the best practices for handling fans’ bags at games." Teevan said that any new policy would be "implemented at all 30 stadiums although there is no deadline." MLB will be "watching how the rules work at NFL stadiums." Teevan in an e-mail wrote, "We want to understand what moved them to take this step and consider whether it is necessary in our game, where fan characteristics and their expectations might be different from those of the NFL." Meanwhile, the NBA will "mandate that teams have a separate security line for those carrying no bags." NBA Senior VP/Basketball Communications Tim Frank said the league will make other "adjustments and improvements as we see fit." NHL officials are "tight-lipped about the possibility of any changes." Marciani said that the "next major advances in stadium security will probably be technological, such as remote sensors for detecting explosives or gunpowder." For now, the leagues "might be running out of new ways to enhance searches at stadium and arena gates" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/24).
