NFL: In Nashville, the Titans are keeping their ticket
office open until 8:30pm CT each day this week for fans who
have not received their season tickets yet (Nashville
TENNESSEAN, 8/25)....The Jaguars "failed" to sell out
Thursday's preseason game against the Chiefs, despite a 24-
hour deadline extension from the NFL. This will "mark the
first time since the team began play" in '95 that a home
game has been blacked out (FL TIMES-UNION, 8/25).
Meanwhile, in Indianapolis, Sean Horgan writes that the
renovation of the RCA Dome "could help put more Colts games
on local television." The construction of 1,600 club seats
and expansion of luxury suites, which "reduced the capacity
of the dome to 56,637" from last season's 60,722, means the
team will have "more than 4,000 fewer tickets to sell to
avert blackouts" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 8/25).
MORE NOTES: In Montreal, Stephanie Myles writes that
the Expos' ownership situation "is officially on the agenda"
at the MLB owners' meetings September 15-16 in Cooperstown,
NY. But it is "unlikely" that the owners will vote on
prospective new general partner Jeffrey Loria or the team's
new marketing plan. Meanwhile, Myles notes that the
investment of potential investor Stephen Bronfman "could be
increased" from C$5M to C$25M (GAZETTE, 8/25)....The
Lightning held open auditions for about 60 people for the
right to sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" at Lightning games
next season. The team will choose three to four people who
will be placed on a rotation for the 41-game home schedule
(ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 8/25)....In Detroit, Drew Sharp notes
that 7,000 fans attended the Sting-Shock first-round playoff
game last night and writes, "The thousands of empty seats at
the Palace reflected a lack of widespread interest. ...
Which brings us back to the popular question: Is it the
product or its promotion that delivers the big numbers?"
(DETROIT FREE PRESS, 8/25)....In St. Petersburg, Chris Rotar
writes that Lightning & Ice Palace President Ron Campbell
has reached a deal with AFL Storm Owner Woody Kern that
makes Palace Sports & Entertainment a minority Storm Owner
and keeps the team in Tampa (ST. PETE TIMES, 8/25).
