In Winston-Salem, Mike Mulhern cites NASCAR sources as
saying that New Hampshire Int'l Speedway Owner Bob Bahre is
"talking" with IMS President Tony George about George
"buying the track" (WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 7/10).
MAYOR BROWN OPEN TO NEW A'S BALLPARK? Oakland Mayor
Jerry Brown said that he "has not ruled out the possibility
of a ballpark in Oakland's future." Brown: "As the city
becomes more and more prosperous, it is something that could
be conceivable at some point. It would have to be part of a
larger development scheme, like in San Francisco." Brown
said that it has "been several months since he has spoken"
with A's co-Owners Steve Schott and Ken Hofmann about the
team's future in Oakland (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 7/8).
NOTES: Coca-Cola N.A. PR Manager Scott Williamson said
that he wasn't "immediately aware of any type of
conversations that may or may not have taken place with"
Packers and Green Bay city officials regarding naming rights
to a renovated Lambeau Field (see THE DAILY, 7/7) (Green Bay
PRESS-GAZETTE, 7/8)....Hornets F Anthony Mason said that
allegations against him stemming from an incident in New
Orleans last week should not be a factor in the team's
pursuit of a new downtown arena. Mason: "I think we've
been trying to get an arena for a few years. ... If they
choose to use this [charges against him] as the reason for
not getting that, then I'll accept it, but I don't think
that's true" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/8).....In Pittsburgh,
POST-GAZETTE architecture critic Patricia Lowry questioned
the Pirates' plan for an amusement-style pirate ship at PNC
Park (see THE DAILY, 6/27): "Has it occurred to the
Pittsburgh Pirates that, in the 17th and 18th centuries,
pirates were not such nice people? ... PNC Park ... is still
a building with dignity and stature. Why cheapen it at the
last minute with a trinket?" (POST-GAZETTE, 7/8).
