NEWSDAY's Glauber & Zipay report that the Jets are
"expected to announce soon that bids will be accepted for
the purchase of the team." Sources say that the leading
contender is Cablevision Chair Charles Dolan and his
brother, Larry. Don Shula, who joined the Dolans' bid for
the Browns, could also be part of the group (NEWSDAY, 5/20).
NOTES: One day after voters approved the "first step"
toward a new arena in Scottsdale, the Coyotes said they
would "freeze season ticket prices" for the third straight
year. There will be "a modest increase" in the price of
single-game seats (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 5/20)....The Expos drew
5,182 against the Phillies last night, dropping their home
average through 22 dates to 9,630. The team drew 14,946 for
the three-game series against the Phillies (CP, 5/20).
FSN's Keith Olbermann: "The Expos claimed there were 5,182
fans there. Many of them must have been holograms" (FSN,
5/19)....Hawks President Stan Kasten, on the team's low
playoff attendance: "It's too simple to blame it on any one
factor, but the customer is never wrong. We have to wake up
every day finding more and better ways to convince them to
show up" (AP, 5/20)....TNT's Peter Vecsey, on speculation
that Pacers coach Larry Bird will step down at the end of
the season: "Bird is fine. People think that he's going to
leave the coaching ranks win or lose after that season. ...
It's not going to happen. He has committed to three years
with the Pacers" ("NBA on TNT," 5/19).
