The N.Y. POST's Page Six cites sources as saying that Jay Z is "selling his minority ownership" in the Nets to coach Jason Kidd. Kidd will "take over Jay's .067 percent (1/15th of a percent) stake in the team for about $500,000." A source said, "Other owners want to give Jason a part ownership of the team, and urged Jay to sell his shares to him." Jay Z was "introduced to the team" in '03 by Drew Katz, the son of former Nets Owner Lewis Katz. Kidd, who at the time played G for the Nets, "suggested the music mogul buy the team" (N.Y. POST, 9/4).
INTO THE WILD: In Minneapolis, John Vomhof Jr. noted the Wild "expect to see a boost in merchandise sales after unveiling new white road jerseys" for this season. The jersey "follows the classic design style of the club's red home jersey that was unveiled in 2003 and its green alternate jersey that was unveiled" in '09. New jerseys "often increase a team's merchandise sales because many diehard fans insist on having the latest, greatest apparel." Wild COO Matt Majka: "Even non-jersey sales will pick up as a result of this" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/3).
CREW CUT: In Columbus, Michael Arace wrote it is clear MLS Crew Chair Anthony Precourt "had a heartfelt appreciation" for former coach Robert Warzycha's "contributions to the Crew over 18 years, and the decision to fire him was a difficult one." It only came "after a lot of thought, and it was only executed as part of a bigger plan." Arace wrote the Crew brain trust "gets a jump on the hiring process at a time when offseason initiative -- player-contract negotiations, worldwide scouting plans and player-recruitment initiatives -- are already gathering momentum." Precourt yesterday was "scheduled to fly to Chicago ... for a series of meetings with, as he put it, people who can help with the search." Precourt: "I've been inherently involved in all aspects of this decision. I'm not an absentee owner in any way" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 9/3).
