Monumental Sports & Entertainment Chair & CEO Ted Leonsis said he was "disappointed" by the Arena Football League's announcement that it would be closing business operations in its six local markets. Leonsis, whose company owns the Washington Valor and Baltimore Brigade, said, "We continue to believe in the AFL product." In DC, Des Bieler notes AFL Commissioner Randall Boe has "ties to Leonsis date from their time together at AOL" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/31).
PUNITIVE PUSH: USA TODAY's Kevin Allen notes USA Hockey is "increasing the penalty for racial or derogatory slurs from a game misconduct to a match penalty." The match penalty is "much harsher because it carries a five-minute penalty, ejection from the game and suspension from further participation until the player's league has held a hearing to review the matter." USA Hockey President Jim Smith said, "We haven't seen an uptick, but I've said one instance is too many." The new rule "applies to all U.S.-based leagues" (USA TODAY, 10/31).
UPPING THE ANTE: The Canadian women's hockey team will host the U.S. in Moncton, Victoria and Vancouver this winter, as the Rivalry Series between the two countries has been "expanded from its inaugural three games in February to five" in '19-20. The series opens Dec. 14 in Hartford before heading to Moncton on Dec. 17. It will resume on Feb. 3 in Victoria "followed by a Feb. 5 date in Vancouver's Rogers Arena before concluding Feb. 8 in Anaheim" (CP, 10/30).
