MLB: In N.Y., OBSERVER columnist Terry Golway calls the
Mets' international week promo "a well-intentioned and even
admirable gimmick. ... What a contrast from the attitude of
[Yankees Owner] George Steinbrenner. He is rather famous
for his contempt for the neighborhood in which his team
plays -- the South Bronx -- and those who live in it. For
years, earnest sportswriters have lamented the Yankees'
apparent unwillingness to recruit new fans from the vast
Latino population around Yankee Stadium. ... The Yankees are
in the midst of a season to remember. Good for them. But
the Mets, with their funny little gimmicks, are trying to
win over the New York of the 21st century. Better for them"
(N.Y. OBSERVER, 8/17)....Despite Clearwater Int'l Airport's
proximity to Tropicana Field and the fact that the airport
spends about $80,000 a year for team advertising, the Devil
Rays do not fly out of CIA. The team uses Delta charter
flights, and Delta serves only Tampa Int'l Airport. Devil
Rays VP/PR Rick Vaughn said that it is "less expensive" for
the team to fly Delta out of TIA (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 8/14).
NOTES: Orlando's WNBA team became official Thursday
morning, when Walt Disney World "committed to purchasing 100
season tickets, pushing the effort to the league-mandated
mark of 5,000" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/14)....In St. Paul, Tom
Powers reports that the T-Wolves "already are 1,000 season
tickets ahead of last year." Team VP/Sales & Marketing
Chris Wright: "We're a very, very hot ticket" (PIONEER
PRESS, 8/14)....The Bucs rank in the top five with the most
replica jerseys, according to NFL Manager of Corporate
Communications Brian McCarthy. Nine Bucs players have
replica jerseys, and rookie WR Jacquez Green "soon will make
it 10" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/13)....Vikings Owner Red McCombs
and the team are featured in USA TODAY's cover story today
under the header, "Vikings' McCombs ready to run ship" (USA
TODAY, 8/14)....ESPN's Chris Mortenson reported that Cowboys
Owner Jerry Jones was "adamant" on and off the record in
denying brokering a payoff between Michael Irvin and Everett
McIver. But Mortenson added: "I think that for the most
part this story is not finished" ("SportsCenter," 8/13).
NEW DRILLER: Edmonton ad exec Wojtek Wojcicki has
purchased full ownership of the NPSL Drillers from Peter
Pocklington. Wojcicki will serve as team President (NPSL).
NPSL Commissioner Steve Paxos said that the sale was "six
figures in U.S. dollars" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 8/12).
