NHL: In L.A., Helene Elliott reported that the Mighty
Ducks will not raise season-ticket prices for next season
and will cut the cost of some club-level seats. Mighty
Ducks GM Pierre Gauthier: "We had some surveys done, and one
of the things that came back from many surveys was the
pricing. We think we owed our fans who had been loyal to
us" (L.A. TIMES, 5/9)....Capitals Dir of Player Development
Dale Hunter resigned yesterday due to the completion of his
deal to buy the OHL London Knights with his brother Mark.
Completion of the deal meant Hunter "had to sever any ties
he had with NHL teams" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 5/10).
NFL: Houston NFL expansion team Owner Bob McNair said
that there are still five names being considered for the
team, with Texans and Stallions "at the top of the list."
The others are Apollos, Wildcatters and Bobcats. McNair:
"We'll probably have a name selected sometime in June"
(HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/10)....ESPN.com's Ray Ratto wrote on
Raiders Owner Al Davis' litigation against Alameda County
and Oakland and speculated if Davis would settle out of
court to break his lease in the city: "Then Al would have to
find a city willing to take him on his terms, which is the
only way Al ever does business. [L.A.] seems unwilling to
invite him back, and in any event there is no stadium in the
works for him. San Antonio is aching for a team, but is
thinking more along the lines of Arizona" (ESPN.com, 5/9).
BASKETBALL: In St. Paul, Charley Walters reported that
the T'Wolves, in an "attempt to improve attendance," plan to
"work intensely" to "bring together the basketball and
business sides of the operations to better market their
product." The "principal figure" in promoting next season's
team will be T'Wolves VP Kevin McHale (ST. PAUL PIONEER-
PRESS, 5/9)....In Houston, Jody Goldstein notes the "fate"
of the Comets is "tied to" the Rockets' arena situation.
Comets coach Van Chancellor: "If somebody asked me what my
worst nightmare is, it would be losing a loved one. But
other than that, my worst nightmare in life right now would
be us moving" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/10).
