BY RIDGE MAHONEY, senior editor The Board of Governors is discussing contraction again this week and the reason is clear: Many teams, especially those run by the league, are losing money faster than several partners are willing to write checks. According to a source, each league-run team — Tampa Bay and Dallas — drains the collective treasury of approximately $3 million per year. These losses are an added burden to losses incurred by each individual team, which in the case of all operator-investor teams except Columbus and Miami range from “significant” to “huge,” according to a source. New York, Los Angeles and Chicago fall into the huge category. If the plug is pulled, Tampa Bay seems certain to be axed. Dallas would be next in line except the prospect of a stadium in nearby McKinney and the possibility of an investor-operator coming in. Losses for the San Jose franchise could be lessened by investment from current operator Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment. But SVS&E reportedly lost $15 million in 2000, partially because of a severe drop in sponsorship revenues, and is not in a position to plunge into MLS. Of the operator-investor teams, Colorado and Kansas City seem to be the most vulnerable. The Rapids can’t get a lease deal done at Invesco Field and the Wizards drew mediocre crowds this year despite being defending champion. Yet the Hunt Sports Group is not locked into Arrowhead Stadium and months ago reportedly began investigating the feasibility of building a soccer facility in nearby Johnson County. Excavations underway at the Truman Sports Complex, where Arrowhead is located, are for construction of a practice field for the Wizards.