NHL: Adelphia Communications has transferred its
interest in the Sabres to Adelphia Chair John Rigas, who
will end up with majority control. Rigas will also get
majority ownership of the Marine Midland Arena. As part of
the deal, Adelphia subsidiary Empire Sports received an
extension of its cable rights deal to Sabres games (DAILY
VARIETY, 4/23)....The Bruins have "slashed" the average
ticket price of some 7,500 "upper-bowl" seats by about $9.50
apiece. A season ticket to 42 Bruins home games, including
one exhibition, for the '98-99 season can now be purchased
for $630 (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/23)....The NHL expansion Thrashers
will unveil their logo to the public tonight at 6:15pm ET on
NHL.com, becoming the first sports team to use the Internet
as the primary medium to introduce a new logo (NHL ICE).
MLB: The MLB Cardinals signed a five-year sponsorship
with BJC Health System, to "team up" and talk to kids about
staying in school, staying physically fit and staying away
from drugs. BJC will also donate $200 to the Cardinals Care
charitable fund for every home run hit by a Cards' players
at Busch Stadium this season, while Cardinals players will
make multiple visits to schools (POST-DISPATCH, 4/21)....The
Indians have partnered with marketing & consulting firm J.D.
Power & Associates, to evaluate and improve Indians' fans
experience at Jacobs Field. The team will distribute 30,000
questionnaires and postage paid envelopes over 13 different
home dates, beginning tonight, with J.D. Power providing
information based upon responses (Indians)....With
yesterday's crowd of 7,491 at the A's-Twins game, the A's
home attendance stands at 151,358, "down more than 50,000
from last year's attendance at the same point" (S.F.
CHRONICLE, 4/23)....The Mets released their "Mets in Black"
catalog yesterday, featuring the team's new black uniforms.
"Mets in Black" merchandise areas will be created at NYC
area Modell's, Bob's and Sports Authority stores (Mets).
NOTES: Following a closed door meeting which lasted
throughout the day yesterday, the Maple Leafs' acquisition
of the Raptors and the Air Canada Centre "has been
completed." The "complex" deal was estimated at between
$400-$500M (Bruce DeMara, TORONTO STAR, 4/23)....The federal
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board will hear oral arguments on
May 27 in the case to cancel federal protection of the
Redskins nickname. Each side has been allotted half an hour
to make their arguments. If the ruling goes against the
Redskins, selling of team memorabilia "will be severely
curtailed" (Avis Little Eagle, INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY, 4/22).
