In Milwaukee, Rich Kirchen reported Bucks co-Owners Wes Edens and Marc Lasry have retained L.A.-based Mercury Public Affairs partner Adam Mendelsohn, who previously worked for former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and on behalf of the NBA Kings' "efforts to build an arena." Mendelsohn served on an "arena task force" established by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. Until Mendelsohn's hire, Edens and Lasry had relied on the team's "internal public relations staff and a public relations representative" from Edens' Fortress Investment Group (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/24).
NARROWING THE FIELD: In San Diego, Dennis Lin reports the second round of the Padres' GM interviews "concluded Thursday" after MLB Senior VP/Baseball Operations Kim Ng had another interview. Other "finalists for the Padres' position" are Yankees Assistant GM Billy Eppler, Red Sox Assistant GM Mike Hazen and Rangers Assistant GM A.J. Preller. Sources said that Preller has "emerged as the favorite." He was recently promoted after three seasons as Senior Dir of Player Personnel and is considered "one of baseball's foremost evaluators of international talent" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 7/25).
CANCELLATION NOTICE: In Minneapolis, LaVelle Neal III notes the Twins on Thursday announced that the Aug. 23 team HOF induction ceremony for former MLBer Chuck Knoblauch at Target Field "has been canceled after Knoblauch was charged with misdemeanor assault on a family member.” Knoblauch is “listed on page 393 of the Twins media guide as the sole member of the Class of 2014, but indications are that will be removed from next year’s guide” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/25).
FISH FOOD: In Miami, Greg Cote wrote LeBron James’ departure from Miami did “more than change and diminish the Heat.” It “loosened basketball’s grip on South Florida.” Now, there is “a chance” for the Dolphins and Univ. of Miami football to “step up and make this feel once more like what it always used to be by acclimation and without debate: A football town.” Cote: “Our first love was all football ... until the Dolphins and Canes both fell off the national radar and saw their local impact wane around the same time, soon after the arrival of the new millennium.” Football has to “earn back the local passion it once had” (MIAMI HERALD, 7/24).
