Seattle city officials are considering partial public
ownership of the Seahawks and Mariners as a means to raise
money for stadiums and help prevent local teams from
relocating. Seattle Mayor Norm Rice called it "an idea
worth pursuing." Although Rice does not believe the city of
Seattle should initiate such an arrangement, he said he
"would be willing" to take part in local discussions to see
if it's feasible (SEATTLE TIMES, 1/28)....In N.Y., George
Vecsey looks at the Nets anti-smoking campaign. The team
runs anti-smoking ads in game programs, on in-arena signage,
and coach John Calipari and center Shawn Bradley have
starred in TV spots that offer tickets to young people who
work in anti-smoking campaigns (N.Y. TIMES, 1/29). In
Philadelphia, Timothy Dwyer writes on segregated smoking
sections at the new CoreStates Center. CoreStates Center
President & CEO Peter Luukko said that the smoking policy is
"constantly under review," adding that "it is a matter of
accommodating smokers and protecting nonsmokers"
(PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/29)....A billboard critical of the
Indians' Chief Wahoo logo will go on display at two
Cleveland locations next month. The billboard depicts Wahoo
with the words, "Smile for Racism" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/29).
