Seven Lakers reps and officials from two affiliates met with free agent C Dwight Howard and his agents on Tuesday, "focusing on ways for Howard to increase his brand in the second-largest U.S. city," according to Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. TIMES. The Lakers also let Howard "know they would build around him on the court during the duration" of a potential five-year contract. The meeting included Lakers Senior VP/Business Operations Tim Harris, as well as AEG execs, one of whom said that Howard "could use some of AEG's resources to further his brand." Time Warner Cable SportsNet execs also attended, and "their theme" was TWC "wouldn't have struck a 25-year, $5-billion deal with the Lakers last year if the cable company didn't believe in the power and relevancy of the franchise." Howard "attended the meeting with his agents," Lagardere Unlimited Basketball President Dan Fegan and Relativity Sports CEO and Relativity Media co-COO Happy Walters (L.A. TIMES, 7/3). In N.Y., Mitch Lawrence noted TWC and Howard reportedly "have had 'preliminary' talks about Howard having his own TV show" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/3).
