TEAM NOTES: CNN/SI's Peter King reported that if Ravens
Owner Art Modell "can't find" a $150M investor before the
spring, "the league will start looking into finding a buyer
for the team." King: "It seems far-fetched that an investor
would throw $150 million at the Ravens, then defer to Art
Modell in all ways of how the team is run" (CNNSI.com,
11/15)....In Toronto, Marty York writes that N.Y. business
exec Sherwood Schwarz and football exec J.I. Albrecht are
about to acquire the CFL Argonauts (GLOBE & MAIL, 11/16).
CHANGES ALONG THE POTOMAC: In DC, Eric Fisher wrote
that while Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder "hasn't exactly made
the best first impression among his fellow NFL owners," the
first half of the season "has been a clear victory for him
financially." Among his accomplishments, Snyder has boosted
the team's sponsorship with more than 25 new marketing deals
generating "more than" $10M in new revenue (WASHINGTON
TIMES, 11/14). ESPN Magazine's Dan LeBatard called Snyder
"one of these new technology billionaires who thinks he can
just download a Super Bowl." LeBatard: "Snyder isn't quite
there with [Orioles Owner] Peter Angelos and [Cowboys Owner]
Jerry Jones, but give him time. He's only been at this a
couple of months" ("Monday Night Countdown," ESPN, 11/15).
NOTES: Browns President Carmen Policy announced
yesterday that "fans will be able to bring banners" to
Cleveland Browns Stadium for the rest of the season.
Policy: "The only thing we're going to require is good
taste. The sign should be appropriate" (AKRON BEACON
JOURNAL, 11/16)....A "longtime member" of the NHL Board of
Governors, on the league's Canadian teams: "I don't see this
situation getting any better. I will say that if things
don't improve quickly you could see two or three teams
leaving at once. I really expect that to happen"
(WASHINGTON POST, 11/16)....In Ft. Worth, Jim Reeves, on the
MLB Rangers new ticket plan, which doubles the price of
certain tickets (See THE DAILY, 11/12): "Is this how you
launch a campaign to attract more season-ticket holders? By
running off some of your most loyal fans? ... Watch how fast
those corporate fat cats run the other way when the Rangers
have a lean year or two" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 11/15).
..The 43,353 fans at Sunday's Chargers-Raiders game at
Network Associates Coliseum was the "smallest paid
attendance anywhere in the NFL this year" (L.A. TIMES,
11/15)....In Chicago, Joe Goddard reports that White Sox
Chair Jerry Reinsdorf has rewarded 13 players the club "felt
were particularly fan-friendly." Reinsdorf did not consider
the "higher-paid players" on the team, but paid up to $5,000
to 13 other players (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/16).
