DETROIT TICKET JUMP: Red Wings Senior VP Jim Devellano said in a letter to season-ticket holders that the team "had to raise ticket prices in order to keep pace with escalating player salaries." Seats in the first seven rows at Joe Louis Arena will increase from $75 to $78, while those in the next 14 rows, as well as the risers, will increase from $67 to $70. Upper bowl rows two through 12 will increase from $48 to $50, while rows 13 through 21 will go from $39 to $41 (DETROIT NEWS, 6/21). Also in Detroit, Francis Donnelly writes that "outsiders weren't sure how" new Ilitch Holdings co-Presidents Denise and Christopher Ilitch "would split their duties." Chris has a reputation of "Mr. Low- Profile," while Denise is "Ms. High-Visibility." Donnelly: "Given their personalities and previous duties, some said they thought she will take a more public role while he will remain behind the scenes" (DETROIT NEWS, 6/21). OTHER NOTES: In Toronto, Jeff Blair writes that for Expos Minority Partner Stephen Bronfman to buy out Jeffrey Loria "would be the ultimate act of charity." Blair: "If Stephen Bronfman wanted so badly to run a major-league franchise, he could have done so at a much cheaper price last season. Or two years before, when the team was healthier financially" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 6/21)....NPSL St. Louis Ambush Owner Dr. Abraham Hawatmeh said that the future of the team "is in doubt" after their lease was canceled by the Kiel Center (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 6/21). ...In Tampa, Eric Miller writes on SFX Sports Group's consultation with the Lightning (see THE DAILY, 6/16). Lightning Senior VP/Sales & Marketing Michael Yormark notes SFX's size and "concedes there's always a possibility that a company can get too big." Yormark: "Too much control could allow them to steer things in the direction they want to." But Miller adds that "so far, SFX hasn't been heavy-handed at all," and Yormark "likes the fact" that SFX knows "how the sports world works." Yormark: "They bring resources ... to the table. They are much more diversified than using a local ad agency" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 6/21)....In Chicago, Paul Sullivan notes "there's still plenty of room on the bandwagon" for the White Sox, as last night's attendance at Comiskey Park was 20,005, "less than half of Monday's crowd on half-price night" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/21).
