In Toronto, Perry Lefko reported that the WWF "had a
lukewarm interest in buying" the CFL Argonauts earlier this
year. The team is for sale, but WWF Titan Promotions Canada
President Jeff Giles said, "We have absolutely no interest
in the Argos or the CFL" (TORONTO SUN, 10/11).
NHL: In Toronto, Al Strachan writes that "there's a
very real possibility" that the Canucks will be the next NHL
team to leave Canada. From the "point of view of most NHL
governors," a Canucks move to Portland, OR, "would be an
ideal turn of events. One less Canadian market. One more
U.S. market" (TORONTO SUN, 10/12)....In Calgary, George
Johnson reports that yesterday's announced crowd of 12,328
at the Saddledome for the Hurricanes-Flames game "was
another indication of what a long road the Flames have to
win back public support." Flames Vice Chair Harley
Hotchkiss, on the attendance: "Obviously, ticket sales are a
concern" (CALGARY SUN, 10/12)....In DC, Michael Wilbon wrote
on Saturday's Caps home opener under new ownership. While
there were "at least" 3,000 empty seats, Wilbon wrote that
the arena "felt different, sounded different. The music
popped, the videos had an edge" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/10).
MLB: Rangers Owner Tom Hicks said he is not happy with
the team losing $15-17M this year. Hicks: "That's not
acceptable. Payroll reduction has to come" (STAR-TELEGRAM,
10/11)....Fox Sports Enterprises President Rick Welts said
that News Corp. does not intend to sell the Dodgers: "Right
now, that's not anything that is being contemplated. ...
This is not a short-term investment. We knew it wouldn't be
one of Fox's more profitable investments for some time"
(BRIDGE NEWS, 10/8)....In Baltimore, Peter Schmuck noted the
continued changes in Orioles management and wrote that Owner
Peter Angelos "should think seriously about selling the team
and saving what's left of his national reputation" (SUN,
10/10). NEWSDAY's Jon Heyman: "If there were any fairness
in this world, Angelos would be the one being booted"
(NEWSDAY, 10/10). In Boston, Peter Gammons: "It makes you
wonder long and hard whether it's worth the luxury payroll
for one of several large-market teams if the owner does not
have the time or patience to understand the complexities of
the baseball business" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/10).
