An ESPN Chilton Sports Poll of Boston-area sports fans
shows that the Red Sox are the area's favorite pro team
(21.2%), followed by the Patriots (19.8%), the Bruins
(18.5%) and the Celtics (10%). The poll was conducted from
July '98 to June '99 (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/28)....Celtics Exec VP
& COO Richard Pond disputed a recent Atlanta Constitution
report and said that the team "is definitely not for sale"
(See THE DAILY, 8/9). Pond: "There was nothing behind the
story. ... Although I think that if someone came up to Paul
Gaston and said they wanted to buy the club for $400
million, there might be some interest" (BOSTON GLOBE,
8/28)....In Toronto, Steve Simmons: "What can be the future
of professional sport in Canada if a billionaire like John
McCaw can't make his ownership of the Canucks and Grizzlies
work?" (TORONTO SUN, 8/29)....Sparks President Johnny Buss
said the team "might even break even this season" if it
makes the WNBA Finals and plays two games at the Forum.
Buss: "Then I can convince my dad [Lakers Owner Jerry Buss]
to give us the marketing help we need." Meanwhile, the
league is "insisting" the team move to the Staples Center
next season even though it won't be able to play all of its
games there because of the Democratic National Convention
next summer (O.C. REGISTER, 8/27)....The White Sox' fourth
annual Dog Day Afternoon promotion drew 500 canines and
their owners to Comiskey Park Sunday. The promotion
"benefits" animal shelters and pet rescue groups "seeking
adoptive homes" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/30).
