In N.Y., Neal Travis writes that MSG is raising prices
for '99-2000 Knicks season-ticket packages "roughly" 10%,
with the best VIP seats costing $64,500 (N.Y. POST, 5/26).
...In Montreal, David Johnston writes that N.Y. art dealer
Jeffrey Loria denied a report that he is sending his son,
David, a "financial expert," to Montreal this week to look
at the Expos' financial books. Loria: "There's nobody
coming up this week, and nothing is happening right now.
I'd be delighted to talk to you, but baseball isn't letting
anybody talk (about the Expos' situation)" (Montreal
GAZETTE, 5/26). ...In Indianapolis, Bill Benner writes that
the Pacers will have a "free, open-to-the-public" scrimmage
on Friday at Market Square Arena. Benner adds that the
Pacers "lobbied for Saturday-Monday" NBA playoff dates to
avoid conflict with the Indy 500, but NBC "already had
decided the Western Conference playoffs would occupy those
days" (STAR-NEWS, 5/26)....In Cincinnati, Tim Sullivan
writes that "either Cincinnati is vastly overrated as a
baseball town or its discerning citizens remain skeptical
about the quality of the home team," as last night's
Dodgers-Reds game drew a crowd of 18,203. The Reds are
currently tied for second place in the NL Central, and when
asked "what does it take" to attract fans, Reds Managing
Exec John Allen said, "I wish I knew." Sullivan: "You might
wonder about the wisdom of building a new ballpark for a
ball club with such a flimsy fan base" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER,
5/26). Marge Schott was interviewed by WPCO-TV and said
that "she never imagined anyone would call her racist."
Schott: "I know how I was raised, I know the way we were
brought up and I love people" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 5/26).
