The Sabres released a response to a Buffalo News report
characterizing the Sabres franchise "in near total disarray."
The statement said the Sabres "are no different than any other
organization which has gone through a transition phase similar to
the one recently completed ... The franchise is confident,
however that the scope and impact of those differences of opinion
have been overstated and will not have an impact in the future"
(Sabres)....Nike spokesperson Keith Peters, on rumors the company
is eyeing Ascent Entertainment's Nuggets and Avalanche: "Given
our visibility, anytime something like that comes up, we're
invariably part of the speculative process. Phil Knight has
never said, 'I'm going to own a sports team'" (USA TODAY,
10/22)....Pistons President Tom Wilson says retail sales have "at
least tripled" and merchandisers say their orders are "up 400 to
500 percent" since the club introduced its new uniforms. Wilson:
"The Bad Boy era was behind us. We have Grant Hill now" (DETROIT
NEWS, 10/21)....The Bullets sold 30,000 tickets during their "24-
hour Frenzy," where the team put individual game tickets for all
41 home games, a franchise first, on sale before the season
(WASHINGTON POST, 10/19)....The Sharks released a Community Value
Audit, accounting for team's contributions. The Sharks
contributed $767,400 in value during FY ending July 31, 1996
(Sharks).
