CABLEVISION'S BOTTOM LINE: Cablevision reported a
fourth quarter net loss "that was slightly wider than
expected," but cash flow and revenue increased. MSG's
operating cash flow was down $14M due to the NBA lockout
(WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/25). The DAILY VARIETY's Martin
Peers writes that MSG's cash flow dropped 16.5% to $54M,
though Cablevision noted that if the effect of the lockout
was excluded from quarterly results, "overall cash flow
growth would have been 10.3%" (DAILY VARIETY, 2/25).
HORNETS: SI's Jackie MacMullan writes in "an open
letter" to Hornets Owner George Shinn, "It's time for you to
go. ... You and I both know that you have no intention of
cracking open your wallet, so do everybody a favor: Sell."
Shinn "declined" MacMullan's requests for an interview (SI,
3/1 issue). In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell writes that "never
have the Hornets drawn fewer fans" than the 10,941 in
attendance for the February 10 game against the Cavs.
Attendance for last night's game against the Heat was
11,410. Hornets VP Sam Russo: "The black cauldron is over
us right now" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/25).
ONE MORE NOTE: The Pirates held tryouts for "The Sports
Magic Team," a group of paid entertainers who will roam the
stands of Three Rivers Stadium this season. Kevin Travis,
one of 22 who tried out: "I have spent my lifetime looking
for ways to make a fool of myself" (POST-GAZETTE, 2/25).
