METS SALE NOT AS FAR ALONG AS REPORTED? A source said a
deal between the Mets and Cablevision is "not as close as
thought," with the "apparent sticking point" being "how much
control" team co-Owner Fred Wilpon "will retain after the
sale" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/29). Meanwhile, Wilpon said that
time was "very tight" to secure financing to have a new
ballpark built by 2003, and he hopes to have financing in
place by the end of the season. Wilpon met with N.Y. Mayor
Rudy Giuliani last week to offer a new ballpark proposal:
"We're hopeful. He's not in office many more years, so we
hope to get it done this summer" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/29).
MARIO ON THE JOB: New Penguins Owner Mario Lemieux is
still looking for investors to join his ownership group:
"We've been talking to a few people" (POST-GAZETTE, 6/29).
Lemieux's success in securing the team "continues to spur
season-ticket sales." Yesterday was the second-busiest day
for season-ticket sales "in memory," with 172 plans sold.
There were 200 sales on Friday (TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 6/29).
NOTES: In S.F., Henry Schulman examines the MLB Giants'
relationship with the team's medical provider, Catholic
Healthcare West. While two of the team's players have
sought second opinions on injury diagnoses, other players
have said that they are "comfortable with the new medical
team so far." Injured LF Stan Javier: "I trust them.
They've been great to me" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/29).
