In N.Y., Josh Kosman reported the Mets' proposed deal to sell a minority stake in the team to hedge fund manager David Einhorn is "dragging on well beyond its expected closing date because lender JPMorgan Chase is not letting the team structure the deal as a loan, making it harder to complete." The franchise owes JPMorgan Chase "about $500 million," and the bank "won't approve such a deal unless its loans get serviced -- repaid or restructured -- prior to Einhorn." One source said that in addition to objecting to the Einhorn deal, JPMorgan Chase in the last few months "wrote a 'tough' letter to" co-Owner Fred Wilpon's Sterling Equities, "telling it that the Mets had breached their loan in 13 different ways" (N.Y. POST, 7/24).
TOUGH SALES JOB: In Charlotte, Erik Spanberg notes Bobcats Owner Michael Jordan last week hosted the franchise's "third annual fantasy camp for premium season-ticket buyers." Spanberg wrote the 48-year-old Jordan "retains much of the sales charm that made him zillions pitching everything from Nike and Gatorade to Hanes and hot dogs." But even with the owner's "star power," the Bobcats sponsorships and ticket sales last season "fell far short of expectations." Jordan is "stuck selling something too few people want -- and without any guarantee he'll have a product to offer them any time soon." The "little bit of traction the franchise has gained is, in all likelihood, soon to be washed away by the bickering between players and owners" (CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL 7/22 issue).
FRIARS' FREEBIE: ESPN's Jeff DiNunzio reported the Padres will hold a "Tony Hawk Bobblehead Night at Petco Park" for the team's Aug. 19 game against the Marlins. The first 5,000 fans to purchase tickets to the game will receive Tony Hawk bobblehead dolls, and "proceeds will benefit the Tony Hawk Foundation" (ESPN.com, 7/25).
NATIONAL MERIT: Canada Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay has given the new NHL Jets logo the "seal of approval." The new logo was "specially created by the team's owners to pay tribute to the Canadian Forces." MacKay said, "I personally love it" (WINNIPEG SUN, 7/27).
