In DC, Clarke & Glod write that the Redskins will
announce today plans to hold their four-week training camp
at Redskin Park in Loudoun County, VA, "rather than"
Frostburg (MD) State Univ. (FSU), where the team spent five
years. The move will put the practice sessions "within
easier reach" of the team's "core fan base" and "will likely
create a new revenue stream" for Owner Daniel Snyder
(WASHINGTON POST, 5/23). In Baltimore, Vito Stellino writes
that Snyder "is expected to buy his way out" of the
Redskins' lease with FSU for $1M (Baltimore SUN, 5/23).
...In Dallas, Richard Alm writes that Stars fans "in the
cheap seats" at Reunion Arena "are looking down,
figuratively as well as literally, on those who sit in
sections close to the glass." Alm: "The corporate folks,
the more rabid rooters say, arrive late, leave early and are
too busy networking to pay much attention to the defending
Stanley Cup champions. Worst of all, [their] willingness to
pay exorbitant prices drives up the price of admission."
Stars Exec VP/Marketing Jeff Cogen said that corporations
comprise 30-40% of the Stars' season-ticket base of 14,000,
"about average" for the NHL. Cogen: "I don't think there's
anything wrong with selling tickets to corporations. What
percent is excess? I don't think we're at that point." Alm
notes that corporate "customers" are more "conspicuous" at
Reunion Arena, because it is the only NHL arena that does
not have luxury suites (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/23).
JORDAN AND JARVIS: In DC, Tony Kornheiser writes: "How
does it look for [Wizards President of Basketball Operations
Michael] Jordan, in his first major coaching hire, to have
dangled the job in front of an eager [St. John's Univ. men's
basketball coach Mike] Jarvis -- and then have Jarvis walk
away?" Kornheiser notes that Jordan issued a "broadside
about agents" when he said, "I liked those (blankety-blanks)
when they were working for me" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/23).
NOTES: ESPN.com studies the NFL's history in the L.A.
market as part of a five-part series. In Part One, Chris
Mortensen wrote that his "theory" on why L.A. "is vacant" of
an NFL team is because of "fear, neglect and greed"
(ESPN.com, 5/22)....In Toronto, David Naylor writes that
Single A Vermont Expos Owner Ray Pecor "will take
possession" of the Triple A Ottawa Lynx "possibly within"
three weeks. Ottawa granted Pecor a new lease for JetForm
Park that will be based on the club's attendance. The
league "will likely substantially decrease the team's rent
from its current level" of C$500,000 annually and "virtually
guarantees the team will stay" in Ottawa through 2004.
Pecor: "Our intent is to stay here" (GLOBE & MAIL, 5/23).
