Option to Buy Seahawks Exercised by Allen

Billionaire Paul G. Allen on Monday exercised his option to buy the Seattle Seahawks and cut ticket prices for the cheapest seats at the Kingdome to $10, lowest in the NFL.

The price cut took effect with the signing of two documents, a letter notifying Seahawk owner Ken Behring that Allen would go through with the $200-million deal and a letter of intent between Football Northwest and King County to build a new stadium.

Approval by other NFL owners is expected later this summer, said Bob Whitsitt, president of the Football Northwest group Allen formed in his bid to buy the team.

Referendum 48, a measure calling for the Kingdome to be replaced with a $425-million open-air football stadium and exhibition hall, was approved by Washington state voters June 17.

Demolition of the Kingdome is scheduled to begin in January of 2000 and completion of the new stadium is set for July, 2002.

College basketball

Steve Robinson, who signed a seven-year contract with Tulsa three months ago, resigned to succeed Pat Kennedy as basketball coach at Florida State.

Robinson becomes Florida State’s first black coach and the only black head basketball coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Robinson’s deal is reportedly for five years and worth $500,000 annually. Kennedy, who was paid $490,000 last year, resigned last month to coach DePaul.

Robinson had a 46-18 record with two NCAA tournament appearances in his two seasons as coach at Tulsa.

Pro basketball

Scottie Pippen says his decade of “hard work” for the Chicago Bulls has gone unappreciated, and he doesn’t expect to play for the five-time NBA champions after next season.

The all-star forward, almost traded to the Boston Celtics last week, told the Chicago Sun-Times that management’s conduct makes him feel that his years with the team “ain’t worth a damn.”

“I’ve put in 10 years here,” Pippen said. “I mean 10 good years of hard work. If you’re going to trade me, let me at least know that you appreciate my 10 years first. I’m a guy who is easy to get along with and I’ll put up with a lot of things. But not dishonesty. Don’t disrespect me, lie about it and then come smile in my face and act like nothing’s wrong.”

Motor racing

Scott Sharp, who suffered a brain hemorrhage in a crash at the Indy Racing League’s Samsonite 200 Sunday at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colo., was reported improving but still in serious condition.

Sharp was moved out of the intensive care unit of Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colo., officials said.

Jim Guthrie, who crashed in practice Saturday, was released from the hospital. He injured his back and is expected to be sidelined six weeks.

Sharp had also been injured in a crash during practice for the Indianapolis 500 this year.

Miscellany

Golfer John Daly, who walked off the course during the second round of the U.S. Open, completed a five-day stay at a sports psychology and nutrition center in Orlando, Fla. but it was undetermined when he would return to competition.

USC catcher Eric Munson and UCLA outfielder Eric Valent will play for the U.S. national baseball team against the Republic of Korea’s national team in a two-game exhibition series at USC’s Dedeaux Field tonight and Wednesday at 7. USC coach Mike Gillespie is a U.S. assistant coach.