In Philadelphia, Bob Ford writes in the 76ers organization there is "the standard level of consternation and messiness." New President of Basketball Operations & GM Sam Hinkie "hasn't hired a head coach, and people are getting antsy about that -- even though it is obvious that the coach will take direction from the GM and not the other way around, which represents a huge change." One of CEO Adam Aron's "roles, aside from signing purchase orders for T-shirt cannons and acting as the resident carnival barker, was to operate as the liaison between" Majority Owner Josh Harris and the basketball operation. That has "definitely changed, and it is expected among insiders" that co-Owner David Heller "will assume the responsibility" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/27).
BRAVE NEW WORLD: In Atlanta, Carroll Rogers asked former MLBer Chipper Jones whether the Braves organization "had changed a lot." Jones responded, "Yes. It used to be that if we had a need, we went out and addressed it, no matter what the cost. Whenever a prospective free agent was put on the trade market, we were always in the mix. ... We were notorious for big blockbuster deadline deals back in the day. We don't do that anymore. We are very hesitant to let go of our top prospects in the upper minor leagues because we're going to have to lean on them on down the road. We don't have the money to be able to pay top dollar anymore. And we can't afford to miss on trades" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 6/27).
PACKIN' 'EM IN: In Green Bay, Richard Ryman reports the Packers "culled the season-ticket waiting list by more than 5,000 names as the team sold Lambeau Field’s newest seats." Packers PR Dir Aaron Popkey said that "of the 5,000-plus offered tickets, about 77 percent bought them." Popkey added that 1,500 existing ticket holders "chose to move to the new south end zone, mostly in level six, which is general seating." Contractor Hammes Co. VP Stu Zadra said that those seats "are nearing completion" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 6/27).
BLAZE UNDER CONTROL: The AFL Utah Blaze yesterday announced that they have "officially fulfilled financial obligations with EnergySolutions Arena for the remainder of the 2013 season and the 2014 season, per the original multiyear contract." In Utah, Trevor Phibbs notes the Blaze were "removed from EnergySolutions Arena as tenants last week after failing to address financial obligations with the Larry H. Miller Group." The franchise "owed $120,000 in unpaid rent from six home game fees from this season" (DESERET NEWS, 6/27).
