There's No Place Like Home For The Saints

The Saints and the state of LA have renegotiated key provisions of their lease deal and announced yesterday a new agreement that could keep the team in the city through 2010 with the promise of over $180M in financial incentives, according to the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. Meanwhile, the state obtains additional years on the team's Superdome lease and more time to study a new stadium. In the new pact, the Saints are not allowed to opt out of their lease until after the '05 season, when they would face an $81M penalty.

They're Off To See The Wizards
Jordan's return results in more than 1,000 season ticket packages sold in DC yesterday; thousands of other mini-plans sold throughout the NBA.

Down And Out
A-B drops Michelob Light's sponsorship of LPGA Tour Classic in St. Louis.

Energy Boost
PGA Tour lands Valero Energy as title sponsor of TX Open in five-year, $15.3M deal.

ESPN Recruits Talent From MTV
Drops "Up Close" after ten years for sports/entertainment show "Unscripted," hosted by MTV's Chris Connelly.

Speedway Motorsports Makes Cuts
Announces plans to terminate 150 full-time employees as part of $12M in reductions.

The Turnstile Tracker
Minor League Baseball draws over 38 million in '01 season, up 3% from last year.

A Tired 'Schwartz' Cliche
Critics say don't bother with NBC's sports-inspired sitcom debuting tonight.