Franchise Notes

Capitals' Success Helping Turn  DC Into A Hockey Town

In DC, J. Freedom du Lac in a front-page piece noted the Capitals have become DC's "most buzzworthy team, to the point that people are daring to wonder if this might someday become a true hockey town." The Capitals have won 14 straight games and have the best record in the NHL, in addition to a "zesty marketing campaign from franchise owner Ted Leonsis and a loud, thrill-a-minute fan experience inside" Verizon Center. While Capitals TV ratings on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic are "nowhere near Redskins levels," they are up more than 150% since the '07-08 season. And the Capitals are "selling tickets like mad: Every home game this season has been -- or will be -- sold out" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/6).

CATCH 22: Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones has "warmed to the idea of having the Cowboys participate" in next season's Pro Football Hall of Fame game after Emmitt Smith Saturday was elected for induction in August. The Cowboys last played in the game in '99, but Jones said, "I was enjoying Emmitt being noted, and I thought, 'I guess I want these Cowboys to go to Canton and be up there when he's there.' Certainly we could make that work" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/7).

TOO RICH FOR MY BLOOD: In Boston, Nick Cafardo noted someone will "have to overpay" for Astros Owner Drayton McLane to sell the franchise. But with the neighboring Rangers "recently going for about $575 million, it's awfully difficult for any group to get into the $700 million range in this economy" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/7).