PUCKETT UP? In St. Paul, Charley Walters reports of
talk that Kirby Puckett could "become a significant investor
in the Twins, and that owner Carl Pohlad and his family
might help finance Puckett's portion, even if the Pohlads
sell the team." Walters adds that Ogden Entertainment
Services, which operates the Target Center for the
Timberwolves, "is undergoing management changes at its New
York headquarters and will curtail its aggressive attempt to
control operations at the Metrodome" (PIONEER PRESS, 6/16).
NOTES: In Seattle, Mariners CF Ken Griffey Jr. blamed
Microsoft exec Chris Larson, who reportedly owns 30% of the
team, for vetoing the trade of P Randy Johnson: "This one is
Chris Larson. Everyone agreed to the trade except one
person, Larson." Mariners CEO John Ellis: "I absolutely
cannot comment because it just isn't true" (SEATTLE TIMES,
6/15)....In TN, David Williams examined the public's
confusion over the role of the Memphis and Shelby County
Sports Authority. Exec Dir Ross Bartow: "Do people know
what a sports commission can do? I'd say no. I've got to
... get out to civic clubs and meet with people, continue
to answer questions that are out there" (COMMERCIAL APPEAL,
6/15)....In Phoenix, the WNBA Mercury lead the league in
season-ticket holders with "more than 9,000" (AZ REPUBLIC,
6/16)....In Tampa, after announcing a $5M increase in
payroll, Lightning GM Phil Esposito said that new Owner Art
Williams has agreed to pour another $1M into the budget for
player salaries for the '98-99 season (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 6/16).
