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July 30, 1986 LOSUMMANOMDIgeSt5
<br /> For two weeks in a row this month, the Meanwhile, the NFL is regaining some of
<br /> ews on Broadway was upbeat: receipts its dwindling popularity on the tube;
<br /> 111/1°se 10.3$ .earlier this month, followed _ the PSFL is trying o wrack-the :syndica-
<br /> y a 5.6% increase, according to. Varie- tion market =thsout1r siou Network,
<br /> ty. For the 7th week, paid attendance plus a package on ESPN. Only the New
<br /> was a whopping 90.3% capacity, compared Jersey/New York market of the Generals
<br /> to 70.2% last season. The offerings is in the important top 10 ad markets_
<br /> are down by 2 to 16; half of them were The verdict will soon be in.
<br /> over the 90% mark.
<br /> The Washington Bullets basketball team -
<br /> In the next 1h years, Seattle needs to aims to double last year's 53.5 million
<br /> raise nearly $10 million to offset the revenues thru astute promotional use of
<br /> slumping financial state of the city's all-star center Moses Malone acquired
<br /> top arts groups. Immediately needed is from the 76ers. Team had .sold 700 new
<br /> $2 million, and a fund drive is being season tickets as of a week ago, comp-
<br /> launched by the Mayor's Task Force on ared to 450 last year. Bullets sold
<br /> the Arts, Variety reported. Another out only 3 games last season at 19,375
<br /> $7.9 million will be raised over the seat Capital Centre (2 against Celtics
<br /> longer time frame. Burlington Northern and one against L.A. Lakers) ; 10-14
<br /> kicked off the fundraising with a pledge sellouts are predicted with Moses. But
<br /> of $500 ,000. Seattle's 14 major art other sales measures include reductions
<br /> organizations have combined operating in 65% of ticket prices, new 'VIP' sec-
<br /> budgets of $27.6 million and deficits tions, ad budget that's tripled, and a
<br /> of $4 million. telemarketing sales team that's pitching
<br /> a 13-game series of tickets. Season
<br /> The arts are a civic investment that ticket sales crew has grown from 2 to 20.
<br /> pays off, if reports from Missouri and CThe "VIP" season tickets costs $3,075. )
<br /> North Carolina are indicators. The arts Season revenue goal of $7 million would
<br /> industry in Missouri pumped more than , get team to break-even point, with Mo-
<br /> $116 million into the state's economy ses' salary.
<br /> in the last fiscal year; that was up 26%.
<br /> Ilkn North Carolina, the economic impact SPORTS NOTES IN BRIEF: Aug. 3 at Wemb-
<br /> as put at nearly $300 million (1984) ley Stadium in London is a sellout and
<br /> y 952 organizations. More than 11,000 scalpers' dream as the Dallas Cowboys
<br /> jobs were created. and Chicago Bears tangle in a game that
<br /> * * * * * * * * should boost British interest, and draw
<br /> fans from British football, or soccer.
<br /> SPORTS & FITNESS Two teams, the St. Louis Cards and the
<br /> Minnesota Vikings, played at Wembley
<br /> 3 years ago, but that exhibition was not
<br /> sponsored by the NFL, as this event is.
<br /> The jury has the fate of the football Earley-Davidson motorcyles
<br /> leagues (USFL and NFL) in its hands this market was battered by Japanese imports,
<br /> week, as jurors decide the outcome of the and survived. When the company went
<br /> $1.5 billion suit by USr'L owners, who public earlier this month, however, it
<br /> charged the NFL with using its clout at was on the day the market dived 62 pts.
<br /> the 3 tv networks to shut out the USFL The $87.2 million offering sold out,
<br /> from the lucrative and essential con- though, and will pay off a hobbling debt
<br /> tracts. Both leagues have survival at load. Company 's breakeven point has
<br /> stake: if an award goes against the NFL, dropped to 35,000 units (from 53,000) ,
<br /> the bidding wars would start anew as a and a special tariff on imports has hel-
<br /> revived USFL poses unwanted competition ped; it drops to 10% in 2 years. Harley
<br /> once again. Is a merger possible, as is last of 150 motorcycle makers in U.S.
<br /> the American Football League (now Con-
<br /> ference) gained years ago? Both sides
<br /> deny that, but the USFL markets in Oak- Texas teams are trying to roll with the
<br /> land, Baltimore, Memphis, New York, Pho- punches of an afflicted economy that has
<br /> nix and perhaps Jacksonville are likely seen boom-bust within a decade. Houston
<br /> possibilities. An NFL franchise is Astros lead their Natl West division,
<br /> worth about $75 million now. Even if but it's hard to tell from the gate, as
<br /> the USFL wins, an appeal would drag any expected fans stay away, in droves. For
<br />` onetary award thru the courts, possibly a hot series with the NY Mets (which
<br /> for years (the NFL hasn't started paying the Astros swept) , the four games drew
<br /> LA Raiders owner--formerly of Oakland-- 113,000--only slightly above the average
<br /> Al Davis, yet) . of 16,000 a game pace of last year. At
<br /> that rate, owner John McMullen lost $5
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