On Long Island, Marcus & Baumbach report the NHL BOG has unanimously approved the sale of the Islanders from Charles Wang to Jonathan Ledecky and Scott Malkin. The deal calls for Ledecky and Malkin to "own a minority stake in the team once it is complete." They will "assume majority control in two years, with Wang retaining a minority stake." While announcing the deal yesterday, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that "no issues were raised" by the BOG regarding Wang's "two-year period of ceding control." Bettman said the new owners will "bring in some additional ownership expertise, resources" (NEWSDAY, 10/1).
FALLING INTO THE BLACK HOLE: In S.F., Scott Ostler writes yesterday's "sonorous news conference" announcing Tony Sparano as interim coach of the Raiders "did zero to change the bleak picture" for the franchise. GM Reggie McKenzie "has the least dynamic presence of any sports exec in memory." It was "probably a smart move" by team Owner Mark Davis to "give all the football power" to McKenzie. But the team now has a GM "who started off with two terrible draft classes, then had one passing draft class but augmented it by blowing a fortune in cap money on questionable veterans." Ostler: "Throw in two disastrous quarterback decisions, and that non-dynamic style, and you've got a team led by a football man who seems ordinary at best" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/1).
THINK OUTSIDE THE BATTER'S BOX: In St. Paul, Tom Powers writes hiring an outside candidate such as Ozzie Guillen to replace manager Ron Gardenhire "likely is too radical for staid Twins management," because "no one rocks the boat around here." Twins execs "rarely tiptoe into the scary world outside the organization's front doors." There is "the Twins way, and there is everything else." Powers: "It's all very cult-like. Yet there is something to be said for embarking upon a path less traveled. ... Here's a chance to shake things up" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 10/1).
