Franchise Notes

In Oklahoma City, John Rohde reports the Thunder will “debut a navy blue alternate uniform" at Friday’s game against the Pistons at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Thunder also will “wear the alternate jersey for its New Year’s Eve game" against the Suns. Since the NBA “wants teams to wear their home uniform as much as possible, teams are allowed to wear their alternate uniform only twice at home during the regular season.” However, teams are “allowed to wear their alternate 10 times on the road” (OKLAHOMAN, 11/9).

BRAVE NEW WORLD? In Atlanta, David O’Brien noted the Braves’ “hopes of moving their high-Class A affiliate to Wilmington, N.C., were dealt a major blow Tuesday when voters issued a resounding ‘no’ on a referendum to raise property taxes to pay for a proposed new ballpark.” Without $37M in new taxes to "build a ballpark on the Cape Fear River, the Wilmington plan is probably over and the Braves will remain in Lynchburg, Va., unless and until another option materializes.” They had “hoped to move to Wilmington in time for the 2015 season” (AJC.com 11/7).

A NEW YORK MINUTE: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick reports there was a "directive informing employees of all [James] Dolan enterprises that if those trying to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy -- perhaps they’re homeless, lost a relative, have no clothing or money or are unable to bathe -- did not report to work, they would be docked a “personal or vacation day to cover the time off" (N.Y. POST, 11/9).