There has been "speculation" that 76ers President Pat
Croce may take on a larger role in Comcast's Flyers/76ers
sports group and eventually replace Flyers/76ers Chair Ed
Snider, according to Les Bowen of the PHILADELPHIA DAILY
NEWS. Snider: "I don't rule it out and I don't rule it in.
Pat is a spectacular executive. ... Nothing has ever been
discussed. If I were to retire or die or whatever, I'm sure
he'd be under consideration, along with others." Croce said
he was "shocked" to hear Snider's praise: "My focus is the
Sixers. I'm not going to lie to you, [having a role with
the Flyers] has crossed my mind" (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 5/7).
AROUND THE NBA: Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner and
Nets co-Owner Lewis Katz made a "brief" presentation to the
NBA's Finance Committee yesterday on the proposed merger of
the two teams' business operations. The 15-minute talk gave
some NBA owners "their first glimpse" into the partnership.
Lakers Owner Jerry Buss: "I'm just trying to understand it"
(BLOOMBERG, 5/7)....The Maloof family was told yesterday
that the NBA Board of Governors will approve their
acquisition of the Kings. The Board should hold a final
vote today in N.Y., and NM-based Maloof Companies President
Joe Maloof will be the team's rep on the Board (AP, 5/7).
