Should Kariya's Ducks reach contender status, they could be the sort of team that helps edge hockey more into the sports mainstream.

The promise, or expectation, of a Mets move toward contender status led by a talented young pitching rotation has not materialized in the first two and a half weeks of the season.

Lasky fell from top contender status, but continued to fight frequently until June 1936, then sat out all of 1937.

Lakers officials quietly speak of the shrinking window for returning to contender status before Bryant begins to decline.

In 1986, the Royals fell suddenly from contender status.

The Knicks seemed worn down from having to ponder the habitual fourth-quarter lapses that have made their early boasts of contender status appear hollow.

The BBBC ordered an eliminating series of contests to decide who should gain official contender status.

They should not be elevated to top contender status because they do not have enough overall talent.

Yet, it seemed that the moment Ewing went down, the Knicks' contender status shattered with his wrist.

Others should be better than they have played, so maybe they could catapult themselves into contender status.