Franchise Notes

Report Says A C$75M Loan Will Ensure Molson Family's Purchase Of Canadiens

French-language newspaper La Presse reported that Quebec’s economic development agency will extend a C$75M loan to “ensure the Molson family’s purchase” of the Canadiens. The sale of the franchise “has yet to be completed with only two weeks to go before training camp starts.” The transaction “was expected to be completed by late August” (CP, 8/29).

ICY RESPONSE: In Boston, Kevin Paul Dupont noted some Bruins fans have complained about what they “perceive as price-gouging” by the team for the upcoming season. Ticket prices “have increased by approximately” 15% for all buyers. Non-season ticket holders also are subject to an additional 15% hike when purchasing designated “gold” games -- a “variable-pricing tactic the club implemented for 14 games last season.” Twenty of the 40 games at TD Garden this season will be “gold” games. Bruins VP/Sales & Marketing Amy Latimer said that the team’s season-ticket base “has increased by more than 5,000 over last season to more than 13,000” (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/30). Bruins VP/Communications Matt Chmura said that the team's inclusion in the Winter Classic “‘was part of’ the price hike for new season-ticket buyers” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/30).

TIME TO DEFROST: In Boston, Sean McAdam reported the tentative ’10 MLB schedule has the Red Sox opening the regular season against the Yankees at Fenway Park on either April 4, 5 or 6, marking the “third time since 1992 that the Sox and Yankees have opened the season against one another.” However, sources said that the Red Sox are “attempting to shift the series to Yankee Stadium out of fear the Fenway Park playing surface will not have sufficiently recovered from the NHL Winter Classic.” An MLB source indicated that the Red Sox are “lobbying to play their first three series on the road, giving the grounds crew additional time with the field” (BOSTON HERALD, 8/29).

GOOD SEATS STILL AVAILABLE: In Minneapolis, Judd Zulgad noted the Vikings have “roughly 6,000 season tickets available” for the upcoming season. Vikings VP/Sales & Marketing Steve LaCroix in an e-mail late last week said that the team has “more than 1,000 season tickets remaining for every home game.” LaCroix added, “We feel comfortable with where we are in regards to our first two home games, but we still have some work to do on the remaining games” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/30).