NBA Franchise Notes: Bobcats Could Be Sold In Coming Weeks

Johnson Reportedly Getting Closer To  Selling Bobcats To Postolos

In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell cites sources in and around the Bobcats organization indicated that they "anticipate the ownership question being resolved in the next two weeks," as team Owner Bob Johnson and The Postolos Group Owner George Postolos "continue negotiations on a deal that could shift control" of the franchise. Many of the team's financial decisions "have been put on hold" in the meantime. Johnson, who has been in Europe on vacation, is "expected in Charlotte sometime this week" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/19).

TURNING UP THE HEAT: In Ft. Lauderdale, Ira Winderman reports the Heat "will move away from its one-price-sells-all approach to individual opponents and instead scale game tickets based, foremost, on quality of the opponent, as well as the game's place on the calendar." The Heat said that a "'Hot' game will be the most affordably priced, a 'Hotter' game will be priced higher, while the 'Hottest' games will be premium priced." While prices have "yet to be released," there are "15 games designated as 'Hot,' 19 designated at 'Hotter' and seven as 'Hottest'" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 8/19).

MATCHUP ZONE: Nets CEO Brett Yormark yesterday appeared on CNBC to discuss the team's new 10-game Matchup Plan ticket package, which includes a reversible jersey featuring a Nets player on one side and a star from another team on the other side. Yormark said of some negative reaction to the plan, "We cater to the casual fan. We want to fill the building. We think this is our best shot to do so." Yormark: "You do whatever you can to survive. We have great players at the Nets … but the reality is our fans also like the opponents and the star players within the NBA." Yormark said fans have "truly embraced" the plans, and noted the team will "break a fully integrated marketing campaign" after Labor Day ("Squawk on the Street," CNBC, 8/18).