Leagues patient as war looms

There are few plans for altering game schedules; TV is another matter.

Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 18, 2003

Many sports leagues are adopting a wait-and-see attitude regarding the postponement or cancellation of scheduled events in the event of a war in Iraq.

President Bush delivered a final ultimatum Monday to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein: exile or war -- decide by Wednesday night.

"We don't have any plans at this point," said Gary Meagher, spokesman for the NHL. "The schedule is going to go on as set. Certainly we've talked about what's going to unfold (Monday night), but the plan is the games won't be interrupted, that intermissions won't be lengthened and that the games will be played as scheduled.

"As events unfold, obviously you reassess," Meagher added, "but certainly, as we head into this evening's games, that's the plan."

The NCAA, whose men's and women's national basketball tournaments (as well as other sports) begin this week, says it will consider postponing games if war breaks out.

President Myles Brand acknowledged for the first time that the NCAA was checking the availability of arenas and hotels for the days after first- and second-round games are scheduled to be completed. That would give officials more flexibility in making a decision about postponements.

"We don't know when it will start, and we have to be respectful of our men and women in uniform," Brand said after an NCAA town hall meeting on sportsmanship that was sponsored by an Indianapolis television station.

"On the other hand, I think we have to be very careful not to let Saddam Hussein control our lives. We have to balance those."

Viacom, which owns CBS, has several other networks that could broadcast NCAA men's tournament games should the network switch to war coverage. Among the possibilities are cable channels TNN, MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon. ESPN, which is not owned by Viacom, has the rights to broadcast the women's basketball tournament.

"I think we have the plans in place to respond in an appropriate manner," Donna Noonan, vice president for the Division I women's championship, told the NCAA News. "We've all been working with our respective championship hosts and other constituents to ensure that all the planning we can do ahead of time is done and that the communications networks are in place to make decisions should something happen.

"A primary concern always will be the safety of the participants."

The NBA, whose teams are beginning the playoff push, is not ruling out cancellations.

"Obviously there are a lot of factors that will go into something like (postponing games), but we will deal with that special situation when it gets to that point," said Tim Franks, the league's senior director of basketball communication. "We're a sports league and want to give entertainment to our fans. But we (would) understand the seriousness of the situation if we go to war. We would adjust and look at all possible scenarios.

"It's probably premature, but we'll see what happens," added Franks, who said the league is in contact with government officials.

Major League Baseball says it has no official position regarding spring training games. And area high school officials say they don't expect to be affected.

"In my opinion, we will not alter our athletic schedules," said Bob Hosack, athletic director for Pinellas County schools.

-- Times staff writers Roger Mills, Damian Cristodero, Tom Jones, Bruce Lowitt, Laura Lee and Scott Purks contributed to this report.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright