In Philadelphia, Kate Fagan notes although the deal to sell the 76ers “is not yet official,” the team’s basketball side “has offered its insight” to the prospective ownership group led by Apollo Global Management Senior Managing Dir Joshua Harris. 76ers President Rod Thorn said that he has “had several conversations with the team's potential new ownership group.” Thorn: "They have questions about how we do things, why we do things, what we think of our personnel, what we think we need, those type of information-type questions." Thorn said that his “exchanges with the potential new owners mostly have involved answering questions rather than asking questions of the investor group” (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/22).
SAVING FACE: ESPN CHICAGO's Gene Wojciechowski wrote the Cubs “have an identity crisis.” Team Owner Tom Ricketts “is the face of the franchise, but so far he hasn’t been its voice.” If Ricketts “wants to be taken seriously by his constituency, he has to make some difficult, seismic and franchise-defining choices.” Wojciechowski: “Nobody expects him to be George Steinbrenner. Or Hank Steinbrenner, for that matter. But it’s OK to show some emotion and passion. And it’s even more OK to throw in a few details now and then” (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 6/21).
RUBIO RIPPLE: In Minneapolis, Jerry Zgoda reports since G Ricky Rubio last Friday announced he will be joining the T'Wolves, the team has seen “500 season tickets sold." Also, webpage views "have tripled (thanks to an exclusive interview with Rubio on Tuesday) and the full season-ticket base has surpassed 7,000, the most since the 2004-05 season" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/22).
NEW TO THE AREA: In Charlotte, David Scott notes the city’s new MLL franchise will be named the "Hounds" after an online fan vote. Hounds President Jim McPhilliamy said, “One reason we like Charlotte is because we really won’t have to compete here with colleges for lacrosse fans.” He added, “Fans are starving for lacrosse. This is going to give fans a chance to see the game and expose their children to the sport on the highest level.” The team will begin play next year at Memorial Stadium (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/22).
