JORDAN TO CATCH A BUZZ? In an attempt to lure Michael
Jordan back for another season, Bulls coach Tim Floyd "has
initiated discussions" with Jordan's "longtime friend" and
former UNC roommate, Buzz Peterson, to join the organization
in a coaching or scouting role (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/30).
JERRY'S KIDS: Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones said yesterday
that the team "will stay in his family for at least the rest
of his lifetime." Jones: "It's totally improbable that I
would ever sell the Cowboys." Jones said he intends to pass
control of the franchise to his children upon his death, and
that a plan is "currently being formulated to deal with what
likely would be a large tax burden resulting from such a
transfer" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/30)....CNN/SI's Peter King
reported that Jones said that the cost of the Browns' "will
be between" $700-900M. King also said that when Jones
relayed those numbers to prospective owners Howard Milstein
and Charles Dolan, "neither man blinked (CNN, 7/29).
MLB NOTES: Marlins President Don Smiley said that his
deal to buy the team "will be finished" if he can complete
negotiations with Barry Diller's USA Broadcasting, which
would contribute "at least" $25M to his ownership group (Ft.
Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 7/30)....Royals President Michael
Herman said that he believes the $75M price tag to buy the
team "isn't unreasonable," but in K.C., Charles Crumpley
reports that the Lamar Hunt/Western Resources group "is
discouraged because of a couple of tax conundrums."
Crumpley: "Whether the tax problems are daunting enough to
push the Hunt group out of the derby is a question that may
be answered by next week" (K.C. STAR, 7/30). Herman also
said he was "disappointed in the number of local bidders who
have come forward" with ownership bids (K.C. STAR, 7/30).
