ROYALS BREAK EVEN: In K.C., Steve Rock writes the
Royals' increased attendance of about 160,000 from '99 "has
helped in the revenue department." Royals Owner David Glass
acknowledged the bottom line would be a "little on the plus
side" this season. Glass: "Closer to zero than $5 million.
We'll be close to break-even" (K.C. STAR, 9/28).
NOTES: In Seattle, Nunyo Demasio wrote after the Sonics
acquired Patrick Ewing, "ticket sales jumped markedly."
Full House Dir of PR Valerie O'Neil said that sales of the
team's "Super Six Pack" tickets have risen from about 80
each day to about 200. Before the trade, the Sonics sold a
total of 3,000 six-pack packages. That "jumped" to 4,200
Monday when Ewing was introduced (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/27)....In
St. Paul, Brian Murphy examines the investment group of
Minnesota Hockey Ventures Group, the limited partnership
"responsible" for securing the Wild franchise. Murphy: "It
has taken more than three years, but their investment will
start showing returns Friday night, when the Wild play host
to Anaheim in the inaugural exhibition game at Xcel." The
owners are a "diverse group that includes old St. Paul
wealth." Wild CEO Jac Sperling "declined to disclose the
amount of money contributed by each investor" (ST. PAUL
PIONEER-PRESS, 9/28)....In Syracuse, Lindsay Kramer wrote
that the AHL Syracuse Crunch's new uniforms will feature a
new mascot -- an "ice gorilla." The team will also dress
up the War Memorial in a jungle theme for the start of the
season and "wants" a "Survivor" theme for its opening night.
Kramer: "Along those lines, the front office is trying to
bring in one of the contestants from the hit television show
for the occasion" (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 9/27).
