ESPN's Peter Gammons, on the A's cutting ticket and parking
prices to lure fans back to the Oakland Coliseum: "League
officials said that when the Coliseum forced the A's to open
their season in Las Vegas [during renovation at the Coliseum for
the Raiders], it was a violation of their lease, and the A's are
now free to move anywhere they want, anytime -- to Sacramento,
when they build a ballpark" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 9/10)....The
Cavaliers are taking advantage of hosting the '97 NBA All-Star
Game along with being the only pro franchise in town this fall by
offering a variety of new ticket plans and "inducements." Cavs
VP/Sales & Marketing Jim Kahler: "With football being gone, we
have a window of opportunity for three seasons. We want to get
people who invested their money with the Browns" (CRAIN'S
CLEVELAND BUSINESS, 9/15 issue)....The financially troubled CFL
Ottawa Rough Riders will finish the season as the franchise
announced they have met its goal of 40,000 tickets sold for its
final four home games. It also raised C$260,000 in corporate
sponsorships, C$110,000 more than a minimum amount needed to stay
in business (TORONTO SUN, 9/10)....Nashville columnist David
Climer, on Dick Evans' departure from Gaylord Entertainment to
become CEO at Huizenga Holdings: "[Evans] was MVP for
Nashville's emerging sports marketplace. ... [His] departure ...
is like Michael Jordan signing with the Knicks for 10 kazillion
and leaving Chicago" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 9/8).
