ROCKY MOUNTAIN LOW-BALL?: In Denver, John Accola writes that S.F. money manager Alan Snyder, the largest shareholder in Ascent Entertainment Group, said that he "opposes" Liberty Media Group's $755M offer to acquire the company and its sports assets. Snyder called the Liberty terms a "quick-fix low-ball price." Snyder: "Liberty is being as opportunistic as always and taking advantage of a chaotic situation and a board in flux with the two recent resignations. The faster they move, the less the likelihood of a competing bid" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 2/24). PATRIOTS: The Patriots have raised ticket prices "across the board" by "approximately" 20%, the team's first increase in three years. End-zone seats will still be the least expensive ($31, up from $26), followed by family section seats ($34, from $28), sideline ($47, from $39), cornerchair ($51, from $42) and chairback ($75, from $60). Patriots Owner Robert Kraft stated that the increases "will lift the Patriots" from 24th in ticket prices to about 16th in 2000 and added that the season-ticket waiting list has grown to "more than" 35,000 (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/24). ALWAYS BET ON BLACK: The A's "will add black jerseys to their uniform repertoire," replacing the green jerseys that some players "didn't like." The starting pitcher on the day of a game "will determine which uniform the team wears." The change "was requested to improve marketing," as last year, the black uniforms, "despite the A's not wearing them in games," were the team's top seller. The team will wear an alternative black cap with a green "A's" logo trimmed in white. A's RF Matt Stairs: "It's going to be hot. But I think we'll look better in black" (C.C. TIMES, 2/24). KIDS GET KIXX SKIPPING SCHOOL: In Philadelphia, Edward Moran writes that makeup school days caused by snow "might have cut into the attendance" of the NPSL's "Kixx School Day Game" at the First Union Spectrum, which began at 10:30am ET yesterday. There were fewer schools participating this year (80) as compared to last year (130), but the Kixx still drew 12,226 yesterday, down from last year's school-day attendance of 14,128 (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 2/24). NOTES: Michael Jordan met with Capitals players "for the first time" last night before their 3-2 overtime victory over the Panthers. Jordan went around the locker room "shaking hands" with players (WASHINGTON POST, 2/24). ....In K.C., Steve Rock writes that the Royals' sale process "may have hit a brief delay" because the MLB owners' meetings, scheduled for March 14-15 in FL, "have been postponed" to April 18 in Houston. The Royals will now have a few extra weeks to vote on the "superior bidder" for the franchise (K.C. STAR, 2/24)....The Maloof Sports and Entertainment Group broke ground on a "state-of-the-art" practice facility adjacent to Arco Arena that will serve as home for the NBA Kings and Monarchs. Maloof Sports co-Owner Joe Maloof said that "the goal is to have" the $8M, 38,500- square-foot facility completed in time for the first Kings game of the 2001-02 season. Maloof, on the facility: "I hope this will finally put to rest all the rumors that we have plans to move the team" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 2/23).
