Franchise Notes

ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter cited sources as saying that Raiders Owner Al Davis this season “began deducting $20,000 from each” of former coach Tom Cable’s paychecks “until he had withheld $120,000 in fines.” Cable "filed a grievance against his owner with the NFL, becoming the latest Raiders head coach to be embroiled in a financial dispute" with Davis. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell “will appoint an arbitrator to whom the Raiders and Cable will have to submit legal arguments and witnesses,” and the arbitrator “then will make the final ruling.” The NFL “is doing its due diligence to ascertain the exact reasons for the fines.” Davis reportedly was “upset with Cable over the fact that Oakland lost two days of organized team activities in June 2010, among other things” (ESPN.com, 1/16).

COMING BACK WITH A ROAR? St. Louis-based SportsImpacts Dir Patrick Rishe said that the Jaguars' “end-of-season meltdown may have an impact on tickets sales next year.” But Jaguars Senior VP/Sales & Marketing Macky Weaver said that he “doesn’t expect the on-field turmoil” or coach Jack Del Rio “drama to deter the fan base the organization has worked to build.” Weaver: “We’ve built a foundation here for the way we handle ticket sales. We’re engaged with the business community and with the Mayor’s office.” Weaver credited the Jaguars’ Team Teal initiative, which “has concentrated on creating a buzz through online promotions and recruiting diehard fans to promote ticket sales to co-workers and friends.” He said that Team Teal initiatives will continue next season, “along with the Teal Deals coupon book that was given to season ticket holders last year” (JACKSONVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 1/14 issue).

ALUMNI GAME: In Calgary, Steve Macfarlane reports the Flames “haven’t made anything official, but confirmed yesterday an alumni game is something they’ve been discussing” leading up to the Feb. 20 Heritage Classic against the Canadiens at McMahon Stadium. Former NHLer Brian Skrudland is “working on getting together as many of his fellow 1986 championship Habs (who beat the Flames in the final) for the game that would take place Saturday evening before Sunday’s main event” (CALGARY SUN, 1/18).