The AP's John Wawrow reported the Sabres "have signed a nonbinding letter of intent to purchase" the AHL Rochester Americans in Terry Pegula's "latest bid to expand his hockey empire." A formal sale "would be months away, and require clearing numerous hurdles." One obstacle is the Sabres' current affiliation agreement with the AHL Portland Pirates, which runs through the '13-14 season. That contract "doesn't include an out clause for the Sabres, meaning they would have to ensure the Pirates have another affiliation deal in place with an NHL club" (AP, 5/17). The deal "would not include" the NLL Rochester Knighthawks, since the Sabres own the NLL Buffalo Bandits and "cannot own another lacrosse team" (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 5/18).
KING ME: Kings co-Owner Gavin Maloof prior to last night’s NBA Draft Lottery said the team is “looking for a new arena” in Sacramento and noted they are “very excited to stay in Sacramento for this year.” Maloof: “The response has been overwhelming. We're selling a lot of tickets. People are excited. We're just happy to be where we are." He added of securing a new arena, “Everybody's interested in making sure that this happens and we all need it to happen … so we can be in a new home in a few years" ("NBA Countdown," ESPN, 5/17).
LOOKING FOR A QUICK FIX: The Cavaliers last night landed the No. 1 and No. 4 picks in June's NBA Draft, and SI.com's Michael Rosenberg wrote Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert "really, really wants to win." Gilbert has made "plenty of mistakes in Cleveland, but he made almost all of them because he was trying to win," and it is "not wise to bet against a man who is this hungry." After LeBron James left the Cavs last summer to join the Heat, Gilbert "sounded like he was whining because somebody took his ball away." Rosenberg: "He wants his ball back now. Don't be surprised if he gets it" (SI.com, 5/17).
YOUTH OF A NATION: The PA's Carl Markham noted Liverpool fans face a 6.5% average increase to season-ticket prices for the 11-12 season, but the EPL club has "cut the cost of under-16 admission in an attempt to prevent youngsters" from being priced out. In addition to the 4% "average rise instigated by the club," a further 2.5% increase came from the U.K. government's increase of value added tax in January (PA, 5/17).
