Colts COO Pete Ward said that the final renewal rate for season-ticket holders came in at 95%, and by “giving some fans on the waiting list a shot at buying tickets and allowing current season ticket holders a chance to buy more, the Colts sold more than 61,000 season tickets.” In Indianapolis, Anthony Schoettle reported Colts officials “cap season ticket sales at about 4,000 short of capacity to make some tickets available for group and single-game sales,” as the “majority go to group sales” (IBJ.com, 5/11).
GAME PLAN: In Toronto, Steve Simmons wrote Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan’s “ultra-secretive search" for a GM "meanders on with a large portion of the hockey world left wondering exactly where the wealthiest team” in the NHL is headed. Shanahan has “chosen to look the other way on well-regarded" GMs with "winning records and impressive resumes.” He “passed” on Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli and Devils GM Ray Shero and “hasn’t spoken to” former Capitals GM George McPhee. Shanahan is “doing things his way,” but whether “that’s the right way will be determined in time” (TORONTOSUN.com, 5/11).
DIFFERENT STROKES: In Newark, Steve Politi examined whether the Devils “face a long-play rebuild” similar to that of the 76ers, which are also owned by Josh Harris. Harris said, “They’re two totally different situations. It’s hard to draw parallels. I think our goals are very much the same.” He added, “There aren’t really any shortcuts. We’re going to really put in place plans that allow us to [win championships]” (NJ.com, 5/11).
SOMETHING BREWING? In Milwaukee, Tom Haudricourt wrote with the Brewers naming Craig Counsell manager last week, “one important question remains regarding the team's future,” which is “how much longer will Doug Melvin be the general manager?” Melvin is “working on the final year of a contract for the first time since taking over” at the end of the ‘02 season. He and Owner Mark Attanasio “have done a strange dance all year regarding Melvin's future, evading questions on the subject” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 5/9).
