MLS Crew President & GM Mark McCullers said that the club “looking for more local investors is nothing new.” In an interview with SportsBusiness Journal last week, MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Crew Owners the Hunt family had "made a commitment to get out." McCullers: “We were very public about it two years ago, and we’ve been very active in the process. That’s what (Garber) was talking about; there’s no doubt in my mind. I think he overstated it in a live interview.” In Columbus, Adam Jardy notes the team “mentions just one local investor by name on its website, Columbus real-estate developer Ron Pizzuti” (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 10/24).
SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS: In Miami, Adam Beasley writes the Dolphins have “given their supporters reason to believe,” and “those green shoots of life couldn’t come at a better time.” The Dolphins average home attendance of 55,776 ranks 31st in the NFL, and TV ratings “have been soft, although certainly better than when the season started.” With a home schedule “bereft of signature matchups, the Dolphins probably will flirt with blackouts for much of the season” (MIAMI HERALD, 10/24).
SEARCH PARTY: In Charlotte, Joseph Person cites sources as saying that the NFL Panthers are “expected to hire an outside consultant to run the search” for a new GM after Marty Hurney was let go this week. Any consultant hired by Owner Jerry Richardson "would come to Charlotte to examine the football operations, attend practices and watch video of a team whose 1-5 start led to Hurney’s dismissal.” NFL rules "prohibit the Panthers from interviewing officials with other teams until the end of the season" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/24).
