11.   And it is almost certain that the league will have something to say in another Heat-Knicks playoff series.

12.   And for all the supposed controversies that annually pickle the NFL, the league has labor peace and no serious threats to its popular image.

13.   And the league has.

14.   And the league would have had tremendous trouble having a competitive league, where all teams are able to compete.

15.   And the league has nobody to blame but itself.

16.   Arthur Pincus, NHL vice president for public relations, said Wednesday that the league had no comment on conversations between the Ranger lawyer and the commissioner.

17.   As for future growth, Swentzell said the league has an eye on the Midwest -- and that could make for some long bus rides from Georgia.

18.   As of early last evening, the league had no public response to the union offer.

19.   Aside from the NFL, no other professional sports league has the power to consistently captivate crowds outside its own individual markets.

20.   At any rate, this was a good image to project at a time when each league has had to deal with a blemish.