"Family Day" at the CoreStates Spectrum in Philadelphia for
the Clippers-76ers drew an announced crowd of 10,446, but Tim
Dwyer of the PHILADELPHIA INQURIER writes "that seems a little
generous, unless many of the families in attendance had infants
hidden in cradles at their feet" (PHILADELPHIA INQURIER,
3/11)....Their is "slight hope" the NHL Oilers might qualify for
the US$5M subsidy that goes to Canadian teams that have local
support. The team has only two of 18 rink boards ads left to
sell. But they have only sold 8,500 season-tickets, short of the
13,000 needed to qualify before the May 31 deadline (TORONTO SUN,
3/10)....Mark Sauer will remain as President of the Pirates, but
will give up control of daily operations to new owner Kevin
McClatchy in a front-office reorganization. McClatchy will
oversee marketing, advertising and baseball decisions. Sauer
will head the Pirates' bid for a new stadium (WASHINGTON POST,
3/10).... Patriots Owner Bob Kraft found team memorabilia, valued
at more than $400,000, was missing and in the possession of
former Owner Billy Sullivan. Kraft has it "in writing that the
memorabilia was part of the purchase when he bought the team,"
and has told Sullivan he wants it returned. If not, legal action
will be taken, "and the $250,000 Sullivan still receives yearly
from the Patriots will be at risk" (Will McDonough, BOSTON GLOBE,
3/9)....Speculation increased over the weekend of the future of
Bulls Coach Phil Jackson, with rumors running that he may return
to New York to coach the Knicks. NBC commentator Peter Vecsey
spoke to Jackson's agent, who said a new contract with the Bulls
has yet to be worked out. Vecsey, who speculated two weeks ago
Michael Jordan may move on to New York, is also represented by
Jordan's agent, David Falk (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/11).
