Yankees, Man City Partner On MLS Team Colangelo Staying With Raptors, Loses GM Title NBA Kings Tix In High Demand Franchise Notes Astros' President Ryan Puts Fans First Ranadive Wants Kings To Make Up For Lost Time Bobcats Reportedly Begin Name Change Haslam Expected To Stay As Browns Owner Bills' Brandon Leading Franchise's New Direction Steinbrenner Talks Yankees Ticket Prices
Upcoming Conferences and Events
SBD/December 7, 2012/Franchises
Franchise Notes
Published December 7, 2012
HOW TO MONITOR? In N.Y., Sam Borden notes several NFL Giants players “questioned just how silent” suspended Saints coach Sean Payton has been this season. Borden wonders, “How can the NFL reasonably monitor compliance with such a broad ban,” as the punishment “seems all but impossible to enforce.” The league is “restricted by basic privacy laws -- meaning, for example, it cannot be like the Central Intelligence Agency and tap Payton’s phones -- though it could use private investigators to follow Payton or watch him from public areas.” An NFL spokesperson declined to “discuss the methods the league uses to monitor suspended personnel, saying only that Payton ‘is expected to comply with the conditions of the suspension’” (N.Y. TIMES, 12/7).
MAGIC WAND MISSING: In DC, Michael Lee notes the Wizards since reaching the playoffs four straight seasons from ’05-08 have “posted the NBA’s worst record." They are “just 45-118 since Ted Leonsis became primary owner in June 2010 and are gaining little traction locally, ranking 21st in the league in attendance (15,538) as area sports fans divert their attention to Robert Griffin III and the Nationals” (WASHINGTON POST, 12/7).
LOONEY TUNES: SPORTING NEWS’ David Whitley wrote the Hornets’ rumored name change to Pelicans “may be the worst-reviewed” NBA phrase since “I'm taking my talents to South Beach.” Whitley: “I'm trying to like it, but it's hard. I picture a clunky fowl with a long beak and fat chin.” But fans “eventually get used to even the looniest nicknames” (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 12/6).




