The Bulls' championship, coupled with the best record in the
NBA, puts their end-of-season bonus at $2,045,750, which will be
divided. The Sonics, with the second-best league record, receive
$1,415,750 (WASHINGTON POST, 6/17). ESPN's Bill Conlin, on the
NBA playoffs: "The possibility of a record flop-a-roo is a good
thing for David Stern's millionaires after a playoff season
duller than chess by internet. If [MLB] ever put on a post-
season this devoid of thrills, the doomsayers would be dancing a
foxtrot ... It's been so bad Michael Jordan was caught the other
day watching a tape of his best Birmingham Barons at bats"
("Sports Reporters," 6/16)....Over 200,000 attended the U.S. Open
at Oakland Hills, bringing in an estimated $8.5M in gate
receipts. Proceeds are divided between the club and the USGA
(DETROIT NEWS, 6/17)....GOLFWORLD notes a rule change on the PGA
Tour which awards playing privileges to any non-exempt player who
wins three Nike Tour events in the same calendar year. The
change is likely to take effect in '97 and was suggested by Nike
officials "who want the influence and importance of their tour
expanded" (GOLFWORLD, 6/14 issue)....In New York, Larry Brooks
reports the Red Wings' Kris Draper may file suit against Claude
Lemieux for the check that severely injured Draper's face.
Lemieux's agent, Howard Silber, calls such action "a farce.
Everyone will be against it. The league, the association,
everyone." Draper's agent, Don Meehan: "We represent 85 players
in this office and the comments I've heard suggest that this is a
legitimate issue" (N.Y. POST, 6/16)....The NAPBL announced twelve
cities are still in the running for two Double-A franchises to
begin play during the '99 season (NAPBL).
