Franchise Notes

In St. Louis, Jeremy Rutherford reports Michigan-based General Sports & Entertainment (GS&E) Chair & CEO Andy Appleby is “involved in negotiations to purchase” the Blues and the Savvis Center lease. Sources said that “no deal appears imminent because of the complexity of talks with multiple bidders,” including MLS Real Salt Lake Owner Dave Checketts. GS&E owns several minor league franchises, including the Single-A Midwest League Ft. Wayne Wizards (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 12/13). In the latest GS&E newsletter, Appleby writes, “We have begun to investigate the acquisition of our own Major League team” (THE DAILY).

MILL-ING ABOUT: Jazz Owner Larry Miller attended the team’s game against the Pistons last night, the first time he has attended a game since he “yelled at the players for their poor effort” against the Knicks on November 14. Miller said that he stayed away “for his health, both mentally and physically. He was so discouraged he even briefly entertained thoughts of selling the franchise.” Miller: “If someone could have convinced me they would buy the team and take care of it and keep it here, I might have taken a look at that” (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 12/13).

ROAD WARRIORS: While the 76ers’ average home attendance this season is 14,943, the team has drawn an average of 18,500 fans for road games, ranking third in the NBA behind only the Nuggets and Spurs (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 12/13).

KNIGHT TIME: In Baltimore, Gus Sentementes notes the Orioles are “trying to void the remaining $10[M] they owe” former P Sidney Ponson, who the team waived in August. Ponson was sentenced to five days in jail yesterday for DWI, and an MLB official declined comment “on what effect Ponson’s guilty verdict and jail sentence might have on the dispute.” But Sentementes notes if Ponson, an Aruban citizen, could not get a U.S. work visa next year, the Orioles “would probably have an excuse not to pay him, per their contract” (Baltimore SUN, 12/13).