In Boston, Kevin Paul Dupont wrote that it's
"abundantly clear" that prospective Penguins Owner Mario
Lemieux has been "tap dancing around the fact that he just
hasn't had" the $50M for the team. Dupont: "What a mess for
the NHL." Dupont cited a source as saying that if the deal
"doesn't get done" Wednesday, there is no money for team
payroll. Dupont added that the future of the Penguins "very
well could hinge" on CA billionaire Ron Burkle being
"committed to ante up" $20M. Dupont: "If Burkle pulls out,
as he appeared to do last week, then there's big trouble in
Steeltown" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/15)....In Denver, Mike Klis
cites sources as saying that the Rockies' ownership group
"has decided to fire" GM Bob Gebhard, and an announcement is
"expected to be made soon," possibly today (DENVER POST,
8/16)....After surveying PSL holders, the NFL Panthers "have
decided to bench" the team's fight song. Another change the
team made as a "result of the survey" was to "allow fans to
bring" bottled water to home games. However, one "much-
discussed rule that won't change" is that the team "still
won't allow fans to remove their shirts" during games
(CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/14)....NEWSDAY's Joe Schad, on the
MetroStars: "In a market with aficionados thirsting to
support a top-level soccer team, the MetroStars have been a
complete failure. From Day 1." Schad also reported that MLS
will "move forward with its plan" to add a second MLS team
in the N.Y. market, "likely Queens," for the 2001 season
(NEWSDAY, 8/15)....In Boston, Will McDonough noted that the
Red Sox lost "close" to $2M to put on all of the events
around the All-Star Game in July (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/14)....MLB
Giants Managing Partner Peter Magowan said the team's 2000
uniform will feature "more of a retro look because we're
building a retro ballpark." Magowan added that there will
be "no tampering with the present logo or with the popular
cap" worn by players and fans (SACRAMENTO BEE, 8/15).
