Smaller sports teams, leagues suffering in downturn

"Smaller teams and leagues, especially those without hefty broadcast rights deals, such as indoor football, beach volleyball and women's sports, will be squeezed as sponsors and fans slash spending, analysts and sports bankers said.
Even the bigger sports like NASCAR, the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball are cutting costs as executives scramble to stay ahead of what most economists believe will be the deepest recession in decades.

Analysts said there also could not be worse timing for such new leagues as Women's Professional Soccer and the United Football League, which both intend to begin play next year."