In L.A., Lisa Dillman reports the NHL Kings "already have sold out of season tickets" for '14-15. The team said that its season-ticket base "is 16,000 and that season-ticket renewal was in excess of 95%." The base number "includes partial season-ticket plans." The Kings "have sold out 120 consecutive games, and they've been able to raise their rates in terms of sponsorship dollars" accordingly. AEG Sports COO Kelly Cheeseman, whose company owns the Kings, said, "A lot of the newer season-ticket holders are people that had basketball and baseball tickets for years. We want to make sure they're here for the long term" (L.A. TIMES, 7/21).
WISHFUL THINKING: In Seattle, Ashley Scoby noted the Sounders and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania & West Virginia "teamed up to give 18-year-old Xander Bailey a special moment Saturday" during the team's friendly vs. EPL club Tottenham. Bailey, who has cystic fibrosis, "had been signed by the Sounders earlier in the week, and has been going through practice sessions with the team." He "was listed in the starting lineup for Saturday’s friendly" (SEATTLE TIMES, 7/20).
A DEMANDING SITUATION: The Redskins on Friday announced "'in response to a record number of Training Camp fan invitation registrations' -- fans will need to enter and win a ticket lottery to gain entrance to Fan Appreciation Day on Aug. 2 and the three joint practice sessions" with the Patriots. In DC, Dan Steinberg noted for last year's fan appreciation day, the Redskins reported a crowd of 25,222 fans, "overwhelming the facility and resulting in overflowing portable restrooms by the end of the session" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/18).
AN OFFSEASON TO FORGET: In Baltimore, Peter Schmuck wrote when the Ravens "begin workouts this week, they will be the ones trying to turn the page on a disappointing 2013 season and an embarrassing offseason." Five Ravens have been arrested since the end of last season. Each time, the team "has been forced into the awkward position of defending the player and decrying the behavior" (Baltimore SUN, 7/20).
