European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 23, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 23 the stars and stripes sports thursday june 23, 1994 Timber wolves staying and suing err by Rick Warner new York apr the Timber wolves will remain in Minnesota for at least one More season. And Aba commissioner David Stern thinks  stay much longer. The Aba Board of governors voted tuesday to reject the Sale of the Timber wolves to a group that planned to move the team to new Orleans. The owners followed the recommendation of the leagues relocation committee which decided last week that the offer by top rank of Louisiana was inadequately financed. A the Timber wolves will be playing in Minneapolis for the 1994-95 season a Stern said. With the decision final team owners Marvin Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner filed a lawsuit tuesday in Minneapolis claiming that the Deal fell through because top rank did no to turn Over information that the Aba had requested. They claim top ranks inaction was a breach of the june 5 Purchase agreement and want . District judge James Rosenbaum in Minneapolis to nullify that agreement immediately. A top rank failed to Supply the Aba with the information necessary to secure approval of the Sale a the 25-Page lawsuit said. The action is in response to a lawsuit filed last week by the Aba accusing the Timber wolves of failing to provide information about top ranks financing. Wolfenson and Ratner also want damages attorneys fees and a court order preventing new Orleans from interfering with another Sale. Top rank officials could not immediately be reached for comment about the lawsuit or the boards decision. Stern said that Wolfenson and Ratner Are in Finan Cial trouble but said he thought they could sell the Timber wolves to a group that would keep the team in Minneapolis for the foreseeable future. Timber wolves president Bob Stein said the vote against the Sale was 25-1, with one abstention. Stein said the team would make an announcement Widnes Day about its status but he  elaborate. Stern said top rank did no to provide sufficient proof that it would be Able to come up with the $152.5 million Sale Price. A we had no guarantees of any of the sources of funding a he said. A spokesman for the Louisiana super dome where the Timber wolves would have played next season had the Sale been approved said the City was disappointed by the owners vote. A a it a a loss of Revenue for the City a will Peneguy said. A we have to Hope its not a loss of  i it. Mess George Karl Seattle a coach George Karl and Bob Whitsitt of the Seattle supersonics both got what they wanted tuesday. Karl got a better contract and Whitsett was allowed to leave As president general manager of the Aba team. In settling a front office mess that at times approached comedy the sonics said they have agreed to release Whitsitt from the final three years of his five year contract. They also agreed to Amend Karl a contract which had been set to expire after the 1996-97 season. Karl had been making about $600,000 a year. The terms of both deals were not released. The sonics front office has been in shambles Ever since Whitsitt the Aba executive of the year asked owner Barry Ackerley out of the remainder of his $500,000-a-year contract in late May. Ackerley walked then placed Whitsitt on a a leave of  Whitsitt a office was stripped of a company owned equipment a including a Telephone fax machine Var and computer. Whitsitt showed up for work a few Days even though he was told to stay away from the office. The sonics said tuesday that under the settlement Whitsitt a last official Day on the Job will be july 1. Karl meanwhile had made it known through his agent that he wanted a new contract by draft Day june 29. He indicated he would ask. The team to release him if a new Deal could no to be worked out by then. A i feel like this is a real statement of support from the ownership and a continued commitment to the Success of our coaching staff and this franchise a Karl was quoted As saying in a sonics news release today. A George had some issues with the Way his contract was struck tured and we addressed those issues a Ackerley said., a George is Happy and we Are  the sonics had an Aba Best 63-19 record last season but lost to the Denver nuggets in the first found of the playoffs. Aba boosts by Stephen Wade Madrid Spain a Aba slain Dunk Champion Isaiah ,�?� rider of the Minnesota Timber wolves came to Europe on a promotional visit but got to see More basketball than he expected on european playgrounds. �?o1 thought id see nothing but screens and jump shots but 1 saw some real spin moves and Guys out there taking it to the Hole with athletic ability creating their own shots a said the 23-Ycar-old rider a Star Aba Rookie last season. A a there a some players Here. More than i  to be exact a 6,000. That show Many basketball players showed up for the Converse Aba 3-on-3 tour during a two Day stay last weekend in Madrid by far the most popular Stop on the a bad a 24-City swing through Europe and Israel. In 3-on-3 tour the Aba promotional event which began in Athens in april and ends in october in Spain a Canary islands is expected to draw about 50,000 players by the time it has wound its Way through 10 countries Selling the Virtues of playground basketball. A your games arc seen on television in 140 countries and that a our greatest promotion vehicle by far but you still have to offer the product in person a said Ray Lalonde a 31-year-old Canadian who Heads Public relations for Geneva based Aba Europe. A compact discs arc great but you also have to have live concerts. This is one of our live  Spanish teenager Antonio Carballo watched a slam Dunk contest and explained Over blaring Rock music and a disc jockeys Patter Why basketball is Clos ing fast on soccer As no. 1 in Europe. F a one person can play alone a just shooting the Ball a or two can play against each other a the 17-year-old said. A in soccer you need Many More to really have a game and that includes having a  the Aba has been sending teams to play pre season exhibition games in Europe for several years but it Wras just Yvo Summers ago that it went to the european grassroots with a one time 3-on-3 tournament in Spain a modelled after similar events m the United states. About 1,600 players turned up. Last year in conjunction with the opening of its Geneva office the Aba expanded to 13 cities and Drew 30,000 players a 6,000 alone in Madrid. This year there Are 24 stops and Madrid is Stilt the biggest draw. A Spain the hotbed of european basketball along with Italy Heads the list with stops in six cities. The tour makes four stops each in Italy and Germany. A May Stop in London attracted 3,400 players which surprised Lalonde. A Spain is a mature Market where you see people of All Ages who know about basketball a Lalonde said. A in Britain its All very new. The Young kids Are very interested but there a not much base among older  Greece Germany and Israel Are also growing basketball markets he said. The Aba which also has offices in Australia Hong Kong and Japan with another soon to open in Mexico moves the 3-on-3 tour across Europe with two moving vans and a Crew of about a   Wimbledon England a results of the 3.5 Minikon Wimbledon Tannis championships a tuesday s results a men afire round single Marcos in Tuska. South Abca def Karel Novacek Czocha Republic 7-6 1q-q6-2. 7-5 of Liston Braasch Germany. Del. Jonathan Stork  Ore. 6-2, 6-4, 3-8. 6, 8-3 Maze Rosset 14switzerland Del. David Witt. Jacksonville Fla. 6-2.6-4, 76 7-2 Richard from berth Australia Dot. Hendyk Drekmann Germany. 6-4, 6-7 sm17-e, 2-g, 6-3 Andrei Medvedev 9ukr amp Kie. Det. Ronald age nor Haiti 6-4, 5-7. 6-3. 6-2 Brad Ebert san Rafiet Garif. Def. Karol Kucera Slovakia 6-3. 7-6 7-44-6, 6-2. Woman a aral round Tingle Lori Mcneil Houston oaf. Smartt Graf <11. Germany 7-5. 7-6 7-5> Jenny Byrne. Australia. Del. Janette Hus Areffi Slovakia 6-3, 6d Maea Jose Gadano. Argentina Del. Beat Leio Stadler Austria 7-6 667-s Meredith Mcgrath Midland Mich., dal. Jusfre , by Tain 6-2, 6-4 Anke Huber 12germany def. To done Britan 7-5, 6-2 a Marty to filing Hills cant Del. A Ikuta Kochi a Germany 6-2, 6-4 Carolne Uniman Lake Jjo Park ky., def Kanne get Pirec France 3-6. 7-5, 6-4 Arantha Sanches Zicaro 2. Spam Dor. Katerina male Eva Bulyar of. 6-1, 6-2 had Rel Mcluhan Australia of. Patty Forton Csc. Sacramento. Cud., 6-3. 2 6, 6-3, wednesday result men first round Ungie Alexander Voik of Russ a dt4. Jeff Tarango Manhattan Beach. Torf. 6-4, 0-2, 6-2 Guy forgot France Del. Doug Flati St. Louis 6-1, 6-2,6-2. Andrei Olhovsky. Russia Dot am Sod Boetsch 16franca 6-2, 6-3. 7-5 Wariy Musur Australia Dot. Alix Anton Isth Austria 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 Yevgeny Kapelnikov 15russia Fet. Laurenca tielman Italy. 7-5, 6-7 5-77-5. 6-7 5-7. 11-9 Bryan Short Lon Atlanta Del. Michael Stich 2. Germany 6-3, 63, 6-4 Slava Dosedel czech Republic det. Younes Al Ayna Oul Morocco 6-1,6-4,6-4. Alev Corretta Spain def Henri Leconte France 2-6. 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 0-63-2, ret Alexander Tonz Germany Del. Thomas Muster Austria. 5-7, 7-6 73. 6-7 7-96-4, 66 Karim Alami Morocco def. Magnus Larsson. Swoon 7-6 7-47-6 7-37-5 Ordi Tunilo Spain def. Lars Jonsson. Sweden 62, 62 4 6,5-7,64 Amos Mansdorf. Israel def. Tomas Carbonil Span. 7-5. 2-6, 4-6, 61. 6-4 Javier Tana Argentina Del. Chris Baitey Britain 3-6, 7-6 7-3. 7-5,6-3. Men s second round singles Pete Semprit 1tempe fi., def. Richey Reneberg Houston 6-3,64,6-2. Women f it round single gig Fernandez Aspen colo., det. Marzia Gross Italy 6-2, 61 Jolone Watanabe a Puenta Calif def. Karen Cross Britain 60, 61 Wiltrud Yobst Germany det Hendrine testud France 62, 61 Zina Garrison Jackson 13. Houston det. Katanna Studem Kova Slovakia 63, 7-6 7-4 Helena Suko a 17czech Republic oof. Tank Whitlinger Dones Neenah wis., 67 7-91, 60. 63 Patricia tar atm Argentina def. Petra Thor Austria. 63. 3-6, 6-6 pain Shaver Baltimore Dot. Airry Frazier Rochester Hills Mich 6-7 4-762, 6-6. Ganela Sabati 10argentina def. Judth Wiesnor Austria 2-6, 6-4, 61 Kristie to oort Netherlands def. Elizabeth Smyre. Australia 6-4, 4-6. 6 2 Linda , Hawthorn Woods ii def Manon Bolli Vjra Netherlands. 61,4 6, 6-3 f Ana Lichina Del. Emanuel Zardo Switzerland. 64, 6 3. Women s second round results Godsay Davenport 9murr Eta Call. Def. Tessa Price South Africa 64, 62 Barbara fair Toner Gor Many def. Ruxandra Drogomir Romania 62, 61 Kim to Date 8japan ool. Shirli Ann Sidwall b it am 62. 60 Ines Gorrochategu Argentina det. Anko Huber 12. Germany 63, 6-4 Concilia main Iledon England apr facts conce rung Jing Champion and no 1 seed Steffi Graf s 7- 7-5 first round loss tuesday to Lori Mcneil at Nee 3spain det. Nana Miragl Japan 61, 7-6 73 facts on Graf s loss Wimbledon England defend 5. 7-6 Wimbledon a grat became ambled on a first women a defending Clamp to lose in her opening match it happened once on the men s Side when Manuel Santana lost to Charlie Pasarell in 1967. A grat has Tost two straight matches Tor the Erst rime since 1934-65. She Tost to Mary Pierce in this French open Temi sinats earlier this month her last match poor to Wimbledon. A Graf la Orty the second no. 1 women a seed to lose her opening match Al Wimbledon Margaret Smith who received a to Rel found Bye lost to to Iii. Joan motrin in a second round match in 1962. A grat is the St no. 1 women s seed to Tose in the first round of t grand Siam event since Virginia he a Sci lost to Mary Sawyer at the 19/9 australian open. A Grats last first round loss on the it a tour was also to Mcneil it the 1992 Virginia slims Champt on Hipa botox a then grat had gone seven years without e first round defeat a grat a five time Wimbledon Champion now has a career record of 52-5 at the All England club. In nine previous Wimbledon appearances she had never bean eliminated before me fourth  tour de suisse go Tad Switzerland apr results tuesday of to tvs eight stage of the tour do Susa Rood eyeing race a 112 Miles from Sion Togstad 1. Johan muses us. Bely urn 5 hours 24 minutes 13 seconds 2. Andreas Kappes Germany same time 3. Steve Bauor Canada same time 4. Seep hot Mon Germany same time 5, Holt Akiak Ger Many same rime 6. Gianluca Pierobon Lily. Same time if Christian Henn Germany same time 6 Jan Nevens. Be Gram same the 9. Ban Heim Denmark same time 10. Vladimir Pou Nikov Ukraine same time. A also 13. Pascal Richard. Switz Eriante 5.24 18 14. Hariz Imboden Switz Artand. Same time 24. Lance Armstrong sofa errand same time 30. Tony to Man Gay Switze hark same time 31z Norman a via Sac Amanfo calif., 4 00 Bend 46, Frankie an Dreu Dearborn Mich same time 50. Greg Lem Ond Wayzata Misc 12 03 Behms. Overall Stindl Ngi Sfier eight stages t. Tic Tiara 30 hours 39 minutes 1t seconds 2. Poul Nikon 1 minute 2 1 scenes behind 3. Of Serbon v.c5 behind 4. Imboden 1 26 5. Rodolfo Massl Toad 223f 6 Mareo Seligman. Italy. 4 04 7. Armstrong. 4 13 8 Stevo i pc Pool Fery. 4 33 9. Mauro Gianoni own Wenand 4,41 10. Falce putting Brazil 5-56. A. Also 27. Avs 15 18 32. Lemond 2449 37, Floming. Or 27 05 44. Bauer 37 37 43. Muse eur 40 33. Is. Frankie 42 08. Post lot open Stockholm Sweden apr results tuesday of the seventh and final stage of the pos Girot open a amp and cycling race 1. Stefan Andersson Sweden 3 hours 22 minutes 10 seconds 2. Pascal Appet Dom Holland same time 3. Henk Vogels Austia a same time 4. A chel la a Sweden. 3.22-21 5.  , Latvia a rime s  6. Urs Guelieri set Cunard 7. I Tia a Blaudzuhn. Denman 8.  de dec Nettier Vanos 9. Andreas Hudman 5witze-land 10. Anthory Theus nother Ianas final Crew Ali Leader 1. Enk Dekker net Enance. 20 i Jura 2 my nulls 57 seconds 2. Chd Laris Sweden 1q seconds Eie Grid 3. A a pucks larva 25 Tenma 4. Michael eau Dun Denim Jerk. 29 5 tie Haas Axelsson Sweden  Hen Vongeis. Australia 43, final team Eadara 1. Sweden 75 hours 14 minutes 3 seconds 2. ,55mmuiesbett�nd3.ausuaiiai 1.37  league Andican contort no w l pc Albany.,4 0 t.000 Arizona. A 1 .800 Massachusetts. 2 2 .500 Las vegas. 2 3 .400 Cleveland. 0 5 .000 Milwaukee. 0 5 .000 National co Faranca Orlando. 5 0 1.000 Miami. 3 2 .600 Tampa Bay. 2 2 .500 Charlotte. 2 3 .400 fort Worth. 2 3 .400 saturday a Cora Arizona 59, Charlotte 52 monday s Cora Albany 45, fort Worth 41 Miami 35, Milwaukee 27 Friday s gems fort Worth at Milwaukee Massachusetts at Charlotte saturday game Miami at Tampa boy Orlando at Albany Las vegas at Cleveland of a 228 155 229 19s 148 143 119 150 174 241 113 241 235 126 159 167 182 193 200 207 233 199boxing tuesdays fights Las vegas apr Steve Johnston. 137. Denver. Stopped Shamba Mitchell 138. Takoma Paik. Md., 1 q2 o the ninth round super lightweights