Yankees Managing General Partner & co-Chair Hal Steinbrenner reiterated that he “plans on cutting the Yankees' payroll by 2014.” ESPN N.Y.’s Andrew Marchand noted the Yankees under the MLB’s new CBA “could save tens of millions of dollars if they lower their payroll -- now around $200 million -- to $189 million.” Steinbrenner said, "I've made it clear that is very important to me, for several reasons. You are talking about a 10 percent reduction in payroll. I don't see that as an outrageous concept. I never have." Meanwhile, he said that "neither manager Joe Girardi's job, nor anyone else's, is in danger,” despite the team “having relinquished a 10-game lead in the AL East.” Steinbrenner: "Jobs are not riding on this" (ESPNNY.com, 10/1).
ARE YOU ON THE LIST? In L.A., Helene Elliott noted the Stanley Cup “made its first public appearance Saturday since the Kings’ names were inscribed on it, and the updated trophy contained a surprise.” The name of club co-Owner Majestic Realty Chair & CEO Ed Roski, “omitted from the original list submitted to the NHL and the Hockey Hall of Fame, is on the top line following the names" of AEG Chair Phil Anschutz, Anschutz’s wife, Nancy, and AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke. That gave the Kings 53 names on the Cup, "one above the limit, but Roski’s ownership role was considered important enough for the league to add his name.” Roski teamed with Anschutz “to buy the Kings out of bankruptcy in 1995, but the two men later became opponents in backing different proposals for a local NFL stadium” (LATIMES.com, 9/30).
DRAWING IRE: In Toronto, Daniel Girard noted MLS Toronto FC has “angered its most loyal fans with a promotion cutting seat prices.” A post on the team’s Facebook page Thursday morning read that for the “next 48 hours, the club was ‘waiving ticketing fees’ for its final two home games -- next Saturday versus D.C. United and Oct. 20 against Montreal.” A link headlined “No Fee Frenzy!” said that between 10:00am ET Thursday and 10:00am Saturday “all fees normally charged on top of the ticket price would be gone.” That amounts to C$8.50 per ticket plus C$5.25 “for each order, regardless of the size.” Girard noted many season-ticket holders commenting on Facebook “are angry” (THESTAR.com, 9/28).
FRONT RUNNER: In Akron, Stephanie Storm noted as the Akron Aeros minor league baseball team “begins the process of changing hands from the longtime father-son ownership of Mike and Greg Agganis,” Fast Forward Sports Group Founder & CEO Ken Babby’s name “has surfaced prominently as the reported buyer.” Babby’s father, Lon, is a “former sports agent who serves as the president of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.” It is "understood that if Ken Babby were to gain control of the team, he would not move or rename the Aeros.” As of Friday, the Aeros' website “still listed Greg Agganis as the team’s chief executive [officer].” However, rumors have circulated that the “pending sale could be approved as early” as this week (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 10/1).
