NBA: In Minneapolis, Steve Aschburner writes that the
"crux" of the NBA arbitration case involving the T'Wolves'
alleged salary cap violation with F Joe Smith is
Commissioner David Stern's "authority to void a player's
future contracts." Smith's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler,
"confirmed" yesterday that Stern's "power over Smith's
employment options has received most of the attention"
(Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/19)....In Chicago, Lacy Banks
reports that Wizards President of Basketball Operations
Michael Jordan "got a less-than-warm welcome" from Bulls
management when he attended the Wizards-Bulls preseason game
Tuesday at the United Center. There was "no mention of
Jordan's presence" by the PA announcer, and Jordan "wasn't
allowed to park in the special lot for players, management,
staff and special VIPs" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/19).
...Italian basketball team Olimpia Milano's BOD "cleared the
way over the weekend" for a group of Milan business execs
"to take over financial control of the team" from Lakers G
Kobe Bryant and his father Joe (USA TODAY, 10/19).
HOCKEY: The Senators are unbeaten through their first
five games, but there were more than 2,500 tickets still
available as of yesterday for tonight's game against the
Penguins and 5,000 left for Saturday's game against the
Thrashers. Senators President Roy Mlakar: "I know these
early-season games in October are a tough sell. But we need
the same kind of support in October that we get in March."
Meanwhile, the team has 11,400 season ticket commitments
this year after 389 people who pledged to renew or subscribe
in the team's pursuit for 12,000 in February did not fulfill
their commitment. Mlakar: "We need to make up for that
shortfall" (OTTAWA SUN, 10/19)....The Vancouver-based WHL
team was officially named the Giants, but Owner Ron Toigo
said that the names Millionaires and Metropolitans were
"also considered." The Vancouver Millionaires won the
Stanley Cup in 1915. Toigo: "We liked Millionaires for
nostalgic reasons but we just couldn't see guys skating
around the ice with dollar signs on their jerseys."
Meanwhile, the team named former Labatt exec Tom Errath as
Senior VP/Business Operations. Ticket prices for home games
at the Pacific Coliseum are C$10-14 (VAN. SUN, 10/18).
COWBOYS: In Dallas, Taylor & Nichols interview Cowboys
Owner Jerry Jones and ask, "Would you ever consider taking a
less dominant role with this team?" Jones: "No, I'd sell
the team before I did that. When I bought the team, I said
I was going to be involved and this was going to be what I
do -- involved in everything. And that's the way it's been.
I'm about 5 percent into what normally would be ownership
things, 95 percent into management" (DMN, 10/19).
