Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

PBA's silence causing some concern

By PHIL GULICK

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 15, 2001

Since Chris Peters and his ex-Microsoft Corp. partners Rob Glaser and Mike Slade bought the PBA nearly a year ago, pulling news out of their new headquarters at Seattle is like pulling teeth -- painful and infrequent.

One wonders why, because most major sports PR types are eager to release positive news that touts their clubs and players.

Could it be no news is good news? Could it be the new bosses are struggling to deliver their promised formula for a stronger tour, higher player payoffs, larger TV revenues and ratings and a more positive public image?

"Whoa, wait a minute, guys!" 10-time PBA winner Steve Hoskins of Tarpon Springs said. Hoskins is a member of the players committee, thus privy to the latest happenings at corporate headquarters.

"Most of what's being printed or said on the outside right now is rumor," Hoskins said. "The players don't know what's happening, but I can say for a fact, they're pretty excited about what's going to happen in September."

Hoskins said PBA commissioner Ian Hamilton is negotiating a TV contract that will solidify the fall and winters tours, and maybe beyond. "I know he is looking for a three- to six-year TV package and he wants a PBA season from September through April, and that's okay with the players," Hoskins said.

"Because they are so enthusiastic about what they are doing, our players are excited about the future," he said. "But, they don't want the news dribbling out in bits and pieces, they want everyone, including the players, to know at the same time."

Hoskins said a major announcement could come at the ABC convention in Reno, Nev., possibly as early as this week.

"I, for one, welcome the open summer. A 27-stop grind like we had two years ago is tough on the players. Last year's 14-stop tour was more like it and I think that's the way we're going."

The 1999 tour featured 27 tournaments, including a four-month summer tour. Last year only 14 events were slated, and it was pivotal because the PBA nearly went bankrupt before being bought.

Several factors have contributed to the rumor mill, not the least of which is lack of news.

The 2001 PBA media guide won't be out until fall. Its Web site is a skeleton of its former self. No schedules posted, the bare minimum in tournament coverage and the skimpiest of features and news. Interested surfers want all the scores, not just the playoff results. They also would like stats, money leaders, history and other features once offered by the site.

Last month new PBA president Steve Miller was quoted in Sports Illustrated: "We're only a couple of breaths from being a carcass . . . we're just above road kill." Did he mean bowling in general, or the future of the PBA?

All this contributes to a puzzling and often negative public image of the new PBA, but Hoskins preaches:

"If fans will just be patient, they, the players and their families and everyone concerned will be in for a big treat come this fall."

- Phil Gulick can be reached at xerxes6@aol.com or xerxes6@juno.com.

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

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