NEWSDAY's Bob Glauber reports that the NFL's Finance
Committee "could make a recommendation to league owners" on
a Jets buyer "as early as tomorrow," and the choice "will
come down to" Cablevision Chair Charles Dolan and Johnson &
Johnson heir Robert Johnson. Sources say that AZ developer
Sam Grossman is "out of the running." One NFL owner said
"some owners have serious concerns about [Dolan's bid]"
because of his brother Larry's recent acquisition of the
Indians. The source: "The cross-ownership situation is very
important to [the owners]" (NEWSDAY, 12/13).
MLB: In Toronto, Stephen Brunt wrote that the Blue Jays
"made their first positive step toward restoring consumer
confidence" last week with the signing of 1B Carlos Delgado.
Burnt added that the team began the Delgado press conference
by "boasting" that season ticket sales have reached 7,100.
Brunt: "This from a team that used to have to cap their
season-ticket base at 23,000" (GLOBE & MAIL, 12/11)....In
Montreal, Jack Todd: "[The Expos] must -- must -- break
ground on Labatt Park before Opening Day. There can be no
delay, because delay will convince the fans that have to be
enticed back to the Big O that these people aren't playing
for keeps " (Montreal GAZETTE, 12/11)....In Minneapolis, Sid
Hartman wrote that one of the reasons Twins Owner Carl
Pohlad "has taken the team off the market is because he is
convinced [MLB's] blue-ribbon committee ... is on the verge
of coming up with a plan to make [small-market] franchises
more competitive." Another "plus" is MLB's new TV contract
with ESPN (STAR TRIBUNE, 12/12)....Disney "is not raising
prices" on Angels season tickets. Angels President Tony
Tavares, on a possible increase to full and partial plans:
"No, not off last year's performance." Single-game ticket
prices will be determined. Disney claimed the Angels have
lost more than $70M in four seasons (L.A. TIMES, 12/10).
...Reds GM Jim Bowden, on breaking off trade talks with the
Mariners concerning Ken Griffey Jr.: "We have a better
chance of bringing Goofy back than Griffey" (Mult., 12/12).
NOTES: Fox's Terry Bradshaw noted reports that Redskins
Owner Daniel Snyder told several Redskins players to "do
whatever you've got to do to win the [Cardinals] game this
week, even if it means going against [coach Norv Turner's]
advice." Bradshaw: "If I'm Norv Turner, I march in there, I
grab this guy like Napoleon and I choke him" (Fox, 12/12).
