League Notes
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Tour De France Likely To Return
To London In Near Future |
In Toronto, Cathal Kelly wonders if MLS Galaxy MF David Beckham's arrival
has "been a success" for the league. His arrival has "yet to
translate to any interest in the league generally." Kelly: "MLS still
has work to do promoting its other stars and teams, while continuing to use
Beckham as the sharp point of the marketing spear. That's a tough job."
Also, a component of MLS' plan for Beckham was "blazing a path for
other international stars," but aside from a "trickle of fading South
and Central American stars, that has not happened." Kelly: "In fact,
the balance seems to be tilting the other way. The best, young U.S. talent views
MLS as a gateway to overseas leagues" (TORONTO STAR, 3/6).
LONDON TOUR: In Manchester, William Fotheringham reports the
chances of the Tour de France "returning to London in the next couple of years
look stronger" after London Mayor Ken Livingstone and Tour Dir Christian
Prudhomme met yesterday. Prudhomme: "We will come back. We were so impressed
by the London Grand Depart 2007 and the working relationship that we have that
we can't consider not coming." London may host a stage before 2010, with
another Grand Depart "possible after the 2012 Olympics" (Manchester
GUARDIAN, 3/6).
NOTES: NBA Commissioner David Stern said that future
NBA All-Star Games "increasingly might be held in mild climates because
'there's an increasing proclivity among our owners to prefer something that's
a little warmer.'" The '09 All-Star Game will be held in Phoenix, but cold-weather
cities "won't be ruled out" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 3/6)....MLB
President & COO Bob DuPuy said that the Mariners and Rays are the teams
"with the most burdensome schedules." DuPuy promised "special
consideration" for both teams in the '09 schedule. The Mariners already
are "booked for a [MLB]-high 55,000 air miles this year" (SEATTLE
POST-INTELLIGENCER, 3/6).
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