by Jim Litke
Associated Press Writer

(AP)—Why stop with “Los Suns?”

For all the marketing schemes pro sports leagues have tried to woo Latinos in recent years, none probably resonated more powerfully with the target audience than the Phoenix Suns’ decision to wear their “Los Suns” jerseys for Game 2 of their NBA playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs last week.

The Suns have won six playoff games in a row, a franchise record, dispatching their longtime nemesis San Antonio with a four-game sweep to advance to the Western Conference finals.

UPSTART SUNS—Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire (1) wears a “Los Suns” jersey during the first quarter of Game 2 of their NBA second-round playoff basketball series against the San Antonio Spurs May 5, in Phoenix.

In the not too distant past, newly hired Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice (formerly of Robert Morris) and current Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez (formerly of the West Virginia University Mountaineers), left their universities holding the bag. To say that these men exemplify the legal jargon “breach of contract” would be quite an understatement.

Both coaches bolted with quickness from their schools, players and fans without any true remorse or emotion. There were also no discernible penalties assessed on either coach by the NCAA. Is that a tad weird or what? If coaches are permitted to do what is best for their families and their careers then why are student-athletes competing under the umbrella of the NCAA forced to sit out a year if they decide to transfer to another school.

by Tim Dahlberg
Associated Press Writer

(AP)—Manny Pacquiao was counting votes early Tuesday, and seemed happy.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was counting money, and had to be equally happy.

“There’s a reason they call him Money Mayweather,” Mayweather’s manager, Leonard Ellerbe, said. “He’s winding up making $40 million for his night’s work.”

Indeed, Mayweather’s mood was brightened by the unofficial tally showing 1.4 million people paid to watch him dominate Shane Mosley, which Ellerbe said meant his payday would be almost double the $22.5 million he was guaranteed for the fight.

A recent study was done on the disparities of girls’ sports in the city so we asked Pittsburghers what they thought. Here’s what you said.

No. Even when I was in school uniforms weren’t updated as often. The games weren’t put in the same type of facilities, smaller, less costly facilities. People need to speak up about it. I think it’s probably gone on since the ’50s when maybe there weren’t as many women playing sports. ”
Erica Picket
Point Breeze
Outreach worker

Erica Picket, Ashtin Harris, Jamar Reeves