NFL: Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton said that the NFL
Oilers, "using corporate donations, would provide tickets"
for a local high school's roughly 700 students to attend the
November 23 game against the Bills. Herenton: "We're hoping
that by kicking off this promotion and marketing effort with
the Oilers, their players, representatives from the [NFL],
we're saying to all Memphians to join in and let's make the
Oilers a part of Memphis. I agree it's been slow coming.
But it's here now" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 10/29).
BASEBALL: The Devil Rays plan to open an in-stadium
hair salon. Devil Rays VP/PR Rick Vaughn: "There's not a
lot concrete about the idea yet. But we know the hair salon
will be part of our 'Centerfield Street,' where there will
be a brew pub, cigar bar, a climbing wall for kids and other
interactive games" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 10/30)....The ATLANTA
BUSINESS CHRONICLE's "Insider" column reports that Atlanta-
based Hope-Beckham President Bob Hope, "is desperately
trying to find a corporate sponsor" for the Silver Bullets.
The "Insider" has "heard that Silver Bullets players are
filing for unemployment and that layoff notices are being
circulated" at Hope Beckham (BUSINESS CHRONICLE, 10/27).
NBA: Pacers Coach Larry Bird, told that IN Gov. Frank
O'Bannon said he is expecting 50 wins from the Pacers this
season: "I expect a balanced budget, too, but I probably
won't get that" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 10/29)....In
Philadelphia, columnist Bill Lyon, on 76ers President Pat
Croce: "Because he is still a new owner, he has not fallen
from public grace. Yet. But if the 76ers are putrid again
this season, then his dispensation will elapse, despite his
popularity on the street. And the vilification will
commence" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/30).