League Notes
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San Diego AVP Event Played In Casino Instead
Of Beach Draws Smaller Crowds Than Normal |
In San Diego, Don Norcross noted the AVP last weekend for the Crocs Tour event in San Diego "passed on a traditional beach setting for financial reasons, saving more than $200,000." The four-court venue at Harrah's Rincon Casino "played to modest crowds and mixed reviews among players and spectators." The AVP "does not announce attendance figures but the stadium court never had more than a few hundred spectators" on Saturday. Volleyball player Phil Dalhausser, who played in the event, said, "Nobody wants to come out there. ... By the beach, no one wants to give (the tour) money. It's business." Volleyball player Todd Rogers added the tournament was "entertainment provided by the casino for their patrons. But my guess is the majority of their patrons don't exactly live an active lifestyle" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 5/3).
WORKING TITLE: In Indianapolis, Curt Cavin wrote IRL officials maintain finding a title sponsor is a "priority, but I'm not sure what it's going to take to sign one." It "appeared they had a sweetheart deal in the works last year with Subway," but a contract "didn't get signed." Capital One "also was in the hunt, but I thought Subway was a natural for the series" (INDYSTAR.com, 5/4). IRL Commercial Division President Terry Angstadt said that there is a 70% chance the league "could sign a title sponsor for 2010." IRL officials "hope for a deal worth at least $10[M] a year" (INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/4 issue).
LACK OF AUTHORITY: In N.Y., Jim Squires criticized the NTRA Integrity & Safety Alliance headed by former U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Tommy Thompson, writing American thoroughbred racing has "no enforcement authority other than the racing laws of each state, virtually all of which are underfinanced and incapable of proper enforcement." Squires added there will "not be such an authority until one is mandated by the federal government." Without "model rules consistently enforced with stiff penalties imposed, the racing culture will remain one of whatever works and you can get away with in this state or that" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/2).
SURVEY SAYS: An SI GOLF PLUS survey of 72 PGA Tour players showed that only 32% have "added more tournaments" to their schedule this year after PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem requested players do so during the offseason. Meanwhile, 55% of respondents said tournament purses should not be lower despite the "bad economy" (SI GOLF PLUS, 5/4 issue).
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