LEAGUE NOTES
FOX AND NHL QUESTION TIMES' COVERAGE: In Sunday's N.Y.
TIMES, Fox and NHL officials wrote letters to the editor in
response to recent columns on the state of the league. Fox
VP/Media Relations Lou D'Ermilio responded to Joe Lapointe's
criticism of the network's NHL broadcasts and NHL
VP/Communications Bernadette Mansur noted that Stu Hackel's
op-ed in last week's Times referred to him as former NHL Dir
of Broadcasting. Mansur wanted the record to show that
Hackel was "terminated from that position in August 1993, a
fact that was not disclosed and certainly draws the writer's
objectivity into question" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/21).
OTHER NOTES: The prospects for a women's pro ice hockey
league was examined by the AP's Margaret Lillard. WPHL
President Ed Saunders said the league's plans are currently
on hold: "We're not where we need to be to establish a
league." The NHL's Mansur: "We need a better pipeline. We
need more experienced players. After Salt Lake City, a
rational conversation can be had" (AP/STAR TRIBUNE, 6/21).
...AVP Dir of Tour Operations Jon Stevenson said the
organization has retired some of its reported $1.8-$2.3M
debt and "we're paying who we need to." The Milwaukee stop
is sponsored by Miller Brewing and although Miller "will not
release details, several players have said the company is
taking care of expenses while the players are in the
markets" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/20)....In Fort
Lauderdale, Charles Bricker asked, "Is the Corel WTA Tour
ready to cash in on all compelling plot lines their players
are creating?" Bricker added that the Tour's negotiations
on a new title sponsor "seem, at least outwardly, to be
dragging on too long. ... It may be sponsors are wondering
if a bunch of teen-age tennis stars, no matter how brash or
attractive, can sell adult products" (SUN-SENTINEL, 6/21).
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