Franchise Notes

In Dallas, Kevin Sherrington wrote, "In case you haven't noticed, major markets drive the sports bus these days, all other things being equal." The world "belongs to the Yankees, Red Sox, Lakers, Celtics and Cowboys. All other pro teams are just leasing space." But Sherrington wrote of the MLB Rangers, can they "complain about East Coast bias when it attempts to attribute a downturn in attendance to the fact that the Yankees and Red Sox haven't been in town yet?" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/12).

Phillies On Pace This Season To Break Its All-Time Attendance Record

MAINE ATTRACTION: In Boston, Marc Spears notes Portland, Maine, is "hoping to field an NBDL expansion team by the 2009-2010 season." Former Celtics assistant coach Jon Jennings, who "would be a co-owner in Portland, is hoping to hear good news soon." Jennings: "We're still negotiating with the NBA. Things look very good purchasing the team, but it's still not a done deal" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/13).

TICKET NOTES: In Philadelphia, Paul Vigna writes with the Phillies averaging 40,290 fans per game at Citizens Bank Park, the team is "on a pace to exceed 3.3 million and smash their single-season attendance record." And "so few tickets have been left by game night that the two ticket kiosks they installed on the third-base side ... haven't been needed" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 6/13)....The Pirates are offering 2,300 standing-room only tickets for $8 each for their three-game series with the Yankees on June 24-26 at PNC Park  (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 6/12).