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Sports agents say that if they represent move that a dozen clients, some of the athletes are likely to run into trouble with the law. Several veteran agents discuss decisions involving controversial players.

The Atlanta Falcons football team has selected quarterback Michael Vick as their first-choice draft pick, exciting fans and increasing season ticket sales. The Falcons' Web site more than quintupled its hits to 80,000 two days following the draft, and sold Vick's new jersey to fans for $44.99 each.

The Atlanta Braves have not been consistently making money in the last 8 seasons, despite the fact that they have made it to the playoffs every year since 1991. Players get 60% of gate receipts for the first 3 games of the Division Series and for the first 4 games of the National League Championship Series and World Series. Moreover, such expenses as stadium maintenance are quite high for the Braves.

The Major League Baseball franchises are in growing debt, and Commissioner Bud Selig is starting to worry. Estimated debt is $2.7 billion, with blame on high player salaries which have increased from $1.1 billion in 1997 to $1.97 billion presently.

The NFL's realignment from six divisions into eight was done without any problems from the four teams most affected by the plan. The league-think philosophy that has served the NFL in the past has enabled it to move past an issue that could have proven thorny.

Turner Sports Interactive hopes to buy Internet rights to NASCAR's Winston Cup race teams in an effort to consolidate the sites and Turner-owned NASCAR.com. So far, popular drivers have shown little interest in Turner's proposal, and the widely variant goals of different team sites will pose a challenge for Turner's consolidation efforts. Article explores various views of some of the NASCAR teams and advantages and disadvantages of consolidation.

Walt Disney Co partnered with the Atlanta Braves to establish Disney's Wide World of Sports in Florida. A new stadium features exhibition baseball and training camps for high school and adult leagues.

Reports the sale of the Web site rights of the National Association of Sports Car Racing (NASCAR) to Turner Sports Inc. in the United States. Agreement with America Online Inc.; Benefits derived by NASCAR from the deal; Division of the revenue earned by NASCAR.

Reports on the lawsuit filed by investment group Crandon Capital Partners against Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI). Allegations of breach of fiduciary duty against SMI directors; Forced sale of land and an industrial park to reduce debt of the company.

Focuses on Major League Baseball Players Association head Donald Fehr's response to the findings of an economic study of professional baseball in North America. Skepticism about a panel's recommendations; Players union's treatment of revenue sharing and taxes.

Reports on Saint Louis Cardinals baseball team's purchase of an insurance policy from Aon Corp. that will replace projected earnings if Mark McGwire were felled by injury. Estimate cost of the insurance premium; Reluctance of insurers in insuring lost revenue based on star players; Other baseball players on which the policy could apply.

Discusses the collapse of a pedestrian walkway after a National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing competition in Charlotte, North Carolina in May 20, 2000. Investigators attempt to explain the failure; Alleged corrosion of steel cables within the concrete bridge; Role of the Speedway Motorsports Inc. in the inspection and upkeep of the overpass.

Focuses on golfer Tiger Woods' impact on golf as of April 14, 2000. Increase in popularity of golf; Benefits for golf equipment manufacturers. INSET: Woods re-signs with Golf Digest.

Reports that General Mills Inc. gained an edge with STP's decision to reduce its role in stock car king Richard Petty's racing empire. General Mills' replacement of STP as primary sponsor of Petty Racing's No. 43 car; Shift seen as a significant marketing coup by marketers at General Mills; General Mills' history with NASCAR.

Reports that Walt Disney is pondering the sale of its United States sports franchises, the Anaheim Angels and Mighty Ducks. Walt Disney's message to the sports world; Economics of running a team as reason for possible sale; Walt Disney's examination of the place of sports franchises within its empire.

Discusses issues related to the growing disparity between the revenue and spending operations of sports clubs in Major League Baseball. Average salary of player per year; Percent average salary increase for free agent; List of baseball clubs that have high player salaries; Contributing factors.

Reports on the increases in Major League Baseball ticket prices in the United States for 1999. Average ticket price increase by Cleveland Indians team; Kansas City Royals; New York Yankees; Anaheim Angels; Arizona Diamondbacks.