Brewers deny opposition to MLS attempt

The Brewers deny a report by local web journalist and traditional Selig family baiter Bruce Murphy that their organization is against an attempt to bring a Major League Soccer team to town.

Murphy reported on his web site that the Bucks and Brewers were opposed to the effort of Tim Krause and his investors to get a MLS franchise and build a soccer stadium downtown. Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel followed up on Murphy's report in Sunday's paper.

Brewers' spokesman Laurel Prieb said the report, quoting unnamed business sources, had no truth to it. "Good luck to them," said Prieb, who added the Brewers would not consider a soccer team competition since soccer is played only once or twice a week and the new stadium would be downtown, well away from Miller Park.

Prieb also said Murphy's intimation that there was friction between the Krause and Selig families had no credence to it. Murphy reported that Krause's father, Charles, often irritated Bud Selig while he was on the Brewers' board.

"What a surprise that Bruce Murphy would cast us in a negative light," Prieb said facetiously, since Murphy has long reported negatively on the Seligs and the Brewers, even if the facts had to be ignored.

Wendy Selig-Prieb, president of the Brewers, echoed her husband, saying the club wishes Krause luck in his attempt to get a stadium built and enjoys good relations with his family.

Murphy, who has previously served on the staffs of Milwaukee Magazine and the Shepherd Express Metro, is teaming up to do an unauthorized biography of Bud Selig.

As for the Bucks, they might have some legitimate concerns if the stadium would be built just north of the Bradley Center. The BC board holds an option on the site that is Krause's top choice for a facility.

But, Krause's group has expressed a willingness to be flexible. This writer still thinks a site along Water Street would be better.

Krause's proposal to have an outside company, somebody like Clear Channel or another professional sports management company, also will likely create some problems. Understandably, many members of the BC board and others would rather retain local control over the facilities.

The Milwaukee Mustangs Arena Football franchise closed its office and staffers were laid off last week. That followed the firing of the coaching staff the week before.

The Mustangs also have left bills strewn all over like tacklers who missed a great open field runner. At least one area business has filed a suit to attempt to get paid.

Owner Andrew Vallozzi finally spoke out last week, blasting the Bradley Center board for "forcing' the team out of business by scheduling renovation for the 2002 season. He added that the Mustangs will pay all their bills. He also said he is looking at options of selling or moving the team.

The Bucks might be working on a deal that will bring power forward Anthony Mason to Milwaukee. Scott Williams would likely be sent elsewhere to free up salary room under the cap.

Mason is a rugged player who would give the Bucks more of an inside presence. Williams gave the Bucks a hustling effort last season, but he doesn't have the muscle of Mason.

The Bucks also re-signed point guard Rafer Alston. That happened in part because of concerns about Jason Hart, who suffered a leg injury during the Summer League.

In the team's front office, Larry Harris was promoted to assistant general manager. Harris, the son of veteran NBA coach Del Harris, has remained with the Bucks since his dad's days in Milwaukee in the scouting and player personnel areas.

Coach George Karl also was prominent around town last week. Karl has his annual kids' summer camp at Whitefish Bay High School. He also threw out the first pitch at a Brewers' game and sat with suspended manager Davey Lopes for a few innings in GM Dean Taylor's box.

"He came in and said 'I hear there's somebody here who needs some help dealing with the media'," laughed Lopes, who caught his share of media criticism as well as the suspension for his comments to the Padres' Rickey Henderson. Lopes felt Henderson has broken an unwritten law when he stole second base during a blowout game.