Franchise Notes

In Detroit, Krupa & Goodwill cite sources as saying that an agreement between Pistons Owner Karen Davidson and Platinum Equity Chair & CEO Tom Gores for the sale of the team is "close." But the sources said that while there is "some possibility a deal could be reached in time for the last NBA Board of Governors meetings this season, beginning Thursday, April 14," it is "unlikely." They said that "perhaps more probable ... is the process stretching into summer, maybe even autumn." That means the NBA "likely will not approve the sale until at least the next scheduled Board of Governors meeting in October" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/7).

HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: In DC, Jason Reid wrote while Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld "has made mistakes in leading" the team to this point, it is "not time for a major shakeup in Washington's basketball operation, particularly because Grunfeld has performed well recently." He has made "enough of the right moves this season to warrant continued control." Grunfeld, whose contract expires after the '12 season, "has worked effectively within the confines of owner Ted Leonsis's plan to rebuild the Wizards" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/6).

NEW MILESTONE: In Buffalo, James Fink reported the Sabres "for the first time in franchise history have sold more than 1 million tickets in a single season at HSBC Arena." The total "includes 756,568 purchased for ... the Sabres' 41 regular season home games plus another 330,000 tickets that were sold during the World Junior championship this past winter." Only three games "drew less than 18,000 fans at the 18,690-seat HSBC Arena," and "overall attendance was down just 0.4 percent from last year when the team attracted 759,695 fans for an 18,529 per-game average" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/6).

SETTLING OUT OF COURT: In Nashville, Jim Wyatt reports the Titans and USC "have settled their differences out of court." The Titans last July filed a lawsuit against USC and football coach Lane Kiffin "over the hiring of former Titans assistant Kennedy Pola." The two sides yesterday "announced a settlement," issuing a joint statement calling it a "mutually satisfactory arrangement" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 4/7).