Sources "confirmed" Friday that John Henry has
completed a deal to purchase the Marlins from Wayne Huizenga
that would give him control of the team "early next year."
The deal is for an estimated $161M deal, and an announcement
is expected after the World Series (PALM BEACH POST, 10/17).
...In Atlanta, Len Pasquarelli reported that Calvin Hill is
organizing a group to bid on the Redskins and that "whispers
are there could be an Atlanta investor" (ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 10/18)....In Cleveland, Tony Grossi wrote
former 49ers Dir of Marketing & Promotions Bruce Popko is
expected to become Dir of Marketing for the Browns this
week. Popko may first be asked "to create a plan for the
next round of ticket sales" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 10/18).
...In Boston, Peter May cited the Celtics' annual SEC report
showing "huge" increases in ticket and broadcast revenues
helped the team earn a profit of "more than" $12M. Revenue
from ticket sales increased 25% to more than $39M, while an
additional $28M in broadcast revenue came in from NBC, TNT,
SportsChannel (now FSNE), WSBK-UPN and WEEI-AM (BOSTON
GLOBE, 10/18)....In Greenville, SC, the ECHL expansion
Grrrowl drew a sellout crowd of 14,108 for their inaugural
game Friday at the Bi-Lo Center against the Charlotte
Checkers (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/17)....In Rochester, the
Rhinos drew 13,772 for their A-league championship game
against the MN Thunder. It was the third largest soccer
crowd ever at Frontier Field (DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 10/18).
