NO DEAL FOR PORTLAND? PCL Calgary Cannons Owner Russ
Parker has told prospective buyer Portland Family
Entertainment (PFE) that he does not want to sell the team.
PFE GM Mike Higgins, who signed a letter of intent to buy
the team in August: "Frankly, we were stunned." PFE is now
in discussions to bring another Triple-A team to the city
(PFE). The original purchase price for the Cannons was
between US$8-10M and the plan was for the team to operate in
Calgary through next season (EDMONTON SUN, 11/18).
NFL: In S.F., Ira Miller examined the "clouded" future
of the 49ers organization and wrote that it's "believed that
[49ers VP John] York wants to increase his involvement in
the front office, and if that's the case, [GM Bill] Walsh
might not want to stay." One NFL source: "York wants to run
Bill off. (York) wants the credit for rebuilding the team"
(S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/18)....In Minneapolis, Jay Weiner writes
that in response to recent incidents of fan rowdiness at the
Metrodome, the Vikings are starting an "educational program"
for their fans with the message: "Behave, pretty please!"
Fans attending the Chargers-Vikings game on November 28
"will be handed fliers reiterating club policy for season-
ticket holders" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/18).
NOTES: Hurricanes Owner Peter Karmanos said yesterday
that in addition to himself, GM Jim Rutherford "will be
taking a more active role" with the team. But Rutherford
said, "All the people who reported to [former COO] Dean
Jordan now report to (Karmanos)" (NEWS & OBSERVER,
11/18)....The 14,140 for last night's Cavs-Celtics game
marked the smallest FleetCenter crowd since Rick Pitino
became Celtics coach in '97 (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/18).
