In Tampa, representatives of the Maloof family
requested additional financial information from Lightning
CEO Steve Oto, "re-establishing" the Maloofs as the team's
"most ardent pursuer." Oto, on the Maloofs: "I think we
will probably get together sometime in early June." Oto
also received a call from N.Y. investment banker Michael
Largue, the leader of an int'l investment group expressing
interest in the team (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/21)....In Miami, the
Panthers confirmed that they will increase season-ticket
prices for three of six seating areas. Lower bowl seats
went from $48-52; Panther club seats, $78-80; and mezzanine
seats, $30-31. A "slight increase is likely" for individual
game tickets (MIAMI HERALD, 5/21)....The Orioles drew 48,003
for last night's game against the Tigers, making it the
largest regular-season crowd in the six-year history of
Oriole Park at Camden Yards (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/21)....In
Toronto, one rumor has Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher being
"canned" as early as today while another said the "axe would
come by week's end" if he did not agree to drop his title of
GM and stay on as team president, with his "main
responsibility" being overseeing construction of a new arena
with the Raptors (TORONTO STAR, 5/21)....Smith College
professor Andrew Zimbalist writes an op-ed in USA TODAY
under the header, "Fewer Families Own Sports Teams; It's
OK." Zimbalist: "Certainly, the days of family ownership of
franchises are fading. As franchise prices have
skyrocketed, from less than $5 million in the 1950s, to $10
million to $20 million in the 1970s, to in excess of $100
million today, there are fewer families who can afford to be
sole proprietors" (USA TODAY, 5/21)....In Philadelphia, Bill
Lyon writes that 76ers President Pat Croce called the Lakers
"for permission to speak" to Mitch Kupchak about becoming GM
and ended up trying to make overtures to [Lakers Exec VP]
Jerry West." Croce: "[Lakers Owner Jerry Buss] wouldn't
give me permission to talk to Jerry West. ... Doesn't hurt
to try though, does it?" (PHILA. INQUIRER, 5/21).