The Bulls will name former Iowa State basketball coach
Tim Floyd as their Dir of Basketball Operations at a press
conference today, according to Terry Armour of the CHICAGO
TRIBUNE. Management "hopes Floyd will grow on Michael
Jordan," who has stated he has "no desire to play for 'a
college coach.'" If it turns out the Floyd and Jordan
aren't compatible, and Jordan wants to continue playing,
"the Bulls presumably would be back in the market for a
coach" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/23). CNBC's Scott Cohn reported
that "the whole world of sports business is cringing" and
the NBA "finds itself on the brink of disaster," since
Floyd's hiring may push Jordan toward retirement ("Market
Wrap," 7/22). One "insider" told Bob Ryan of the BOSTON
GLOBE, "It's the ultimate game of chicken with the world's
greatest athlete. And the two people who are shuddering the
most today are [NBA Commissioner] David Stern and [NBC
Sports Chair] Dick Ebersol" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/23). But in
Chicago, Sam Smith writes that Floyd's appointment "will be
done with the tacit approval of Jordan" (TRIBUNE, 7/23).
CBS's Dan Rather also noted the Floyd hiring (CBS, 7/22).
LEASE RENEWALS: In Chicago, Mendell & Chiem report that
final payment for Bulls season tickets were due yesterday.
For the "last decade, the team has sold 14,500 season
tickets to about 5,000 accounts and says it has a waiting
list of 24,000 fans who want tickets." Bulls officials said
they "expected nearly all current ticket-holders to renew
their orders, despite the uncertainty over next season's
line-up" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/23). In Philadelphia, Phil
Jasner also notes "a touch of sweet irony" in making the
Floyd announcement was that luxury suites payments for the
United Center were due Tuesday (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 7/23)
