The six-game, four-continent World All-Star Classic exhibition tour featuring two squads of All-Star NBA players "is on hold, with Sunday's scheduled game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, postponed indefinitely," according to Ric Bucher of ESPN THE MAGAZINE. The other five games on the tour, scheduled for London, Macau and Australia, "already had been pushed back until late November." There "was hope the game in San Juan could be salvaged and serve as proof to the other venues and investors that Atlanta businessman Cal Darden and his son, Cal Jr., were capable of pulling off the event." A spokesperson for the event said that a "new date for the San Juan game will be announced by Nov. 3" (ESPN.com, 10/29). In L.A., Mark Medina noted, "It had appeared uncertain earlier this week whether the world tour would get off the ground after organizers found themselves scrambling to secure 18 signed player commitments and find a television contract. Then players, such as LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul backed out of the event" (LATIMES.com, 10/28). Magic C Dwight Howard also "has withdrawn" from the tour (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 10/28).
