Franchise Notes

BOSOX SALE UPDATE: In Boston, Scott Van Voorhis reports Red Sox bidder Joseph O'Donnell "faces a major lineup change in his own business team, as David Passafaro, an exec with O'Donnell's concessions, real estate and entertainment empire, "will join a major contractor working on the South Boston convention center project" next week. Van Voorhis writes that Passafaro was "seen as a key member of O'Donnell's inner circle." Passafaro "would play a key role in helping" O'Donnell and developer Stephen Karp push through a new ballpark plan" if the group purchases the Red Sox (BOSTON HERALD, 11/9).

NOTES: In Ft. Lauderdale, Michael Russo writes NHL Panthers Majority Owner Alan Cohen "got a kick out of" a report which appeared in the Czech tabloid, Blesk, stating that Czech business exec Peter Kovarcik "planned to purchase" the Panthers for $120M. Cohen called the story "ridiculous" and said, "I'm not selling the team to anybody — period. Write that!" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 11/9)....In FL, Bart Hubbuch reports a late rush on discounted tickets for Sunday's Bengals-Jaguars game at Alltel Stadium "enabled the Jaguars to avert their third consecutive home blackout" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 11/9).