SIX PACK: Liberty Media Group Exec VP & COO Gary Howard
said that "about six parties have privately expressed
interest" in acquiring the Nuggets, Avalanche and Pepsi
Center. He said negotiations will begin "soon" (ROCKY
MOUNTAIN NEWS, 3/29). Howard expects a deal to be completed
in the next few months: "I anticipate because the stadium
ownership affects the teams' economics, that a package deal
is best for the city and the teams" (DENVER POST, 3/29).
GRETZKY'S NEW ROLE? After the NHL Rangers fired coach
John Muckler and President & GM Neil Smith yesterday, MSG
President Dave Checketts denied a "report that Wayne Gretzky
will be consulted" in the hiring of new team execs (Toronto
GLOBE & MAIL, 3/29). Gretzky's agent, IMG's Michael
Barnett, said Gretzky has not been contacted by MSG: "While
he has a very cordial relationship with the Dolans, I would
not see Wayne Gretzky either seeking or welcoming the
opportunity to provide his personal opinion regarding the
Rangers' future" (Steve Zipay, NEWSDAY, 3/29).
NOTES: The FINANCIAL TIMES' Matthew Garrahan writes
that Manchester United Chair Sir Roland Smith's "planned
retirement ... was postponed for at least a year yesterday
in an effort to maintain stability during negotiations" over
Premier League broadcasting rights. Meanwhile, NTL, one of
the U.K. companies "interested in bidding" for the
broadcasting rights, yesterday acquired a 5.585% stake in
the Middlesbrough club for US$20.6M (FINANCIAL TIMES, 3/29).
