Franchise Notes

Ross Plays Part In Video For Dolphins'  Interactive Marketing Campaign

In Ft. Lauderdale, Sarah Talalay noted an online video that is part of the Dolphins' new interactive marketing campaign, "This offseason, the Dolphins' most important signing ... is you," includes "snippets of interviews with players and Coach Tony Sparano talking about ... well, you." Dolphins fans names are embedded into the online video, and Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross as part of the video "sits across from you and hands you a contract to sign." Dolphins fans "have been receiving emails from the team with the video message," which can be accessed at the team's Web site or at mydolphinslive.com. The idea behind the campaign is to "encourage fans to buy season tickets," and Dolphins Enterprises Senior Dir of Marketing & Communications George Torres said that feedback "has been good and ticket sales are ahead of schedule" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 6/9).

OUT OF THE HEAT:  Heat President Eric Woolworth said that it is "unlikely his team would host an All-Star Game at AmericanAirlines Arena in the near future, due to the lack of available convention space during President's Weekend." In Ft. Lauderdale, Ira Winderman notes the Miami Beach Convention Center and "other area venues are annually occupied that weekend by the Miami International Boat Show." Meanwhile, teams also "have been reluctant to host the event due to the limited access to season-ticket holders." The Heat have not hosted the All-Star Game since '90 (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/10).

FILLING THE VOID: NBA Commissioner David Stern Friday on ESPN Radio 710 Seattle, when asked if NBA basketball "will be back in Seattle within the next decade," said, "I don't want to make any claims that are smack of hyperbole but I certainly think that's a distinct possibility. Certain things have to come together, but I think that's a very good possibility." Stern added one thing that needs to come together is "the building." Stern: "The other is a readiness of an NBA team to relocate at a time economic and otherwise when we're (the NBA) not going to be expanding. I used to think it was a terrible loss when franchises moved but the reality of the various marketplaces have caused me to take a more realistic approach to it" (SPORTSRADIOINTERVIEWS.com, 6/9).

CATCHING THE FEVER: Despite speculation about the future of the WNBA Indiana Fever, WNBA President Donna Orender yesterday said of the team's ownership, "What I think you're hearing them say is, 'We really do believe in this. We know how important it is. We can feel that. We want it to work.'" Orender: "I think we're at the stage of our history now where there are owners who are in this because that's what they believe, that's what they want to do, and they support the WNBA." Orender added that the league "continues to be engaged in discussions with cities [interested] in expansion franchises" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/10).