Bears Chair George McCaskey said that he and GM Ryan Pace "are on board for a game overseas or in Mexico" in '16. McCaskey: "If the situation is right, we would be interested." McCaskey said that he "wasn't surprised when the Chiefs volunteered to shift a home game to London," something the Redskins reportedly "are considering" for '16. McCaskey said of Chiefs Chair & CEO Clark Hunt, "That's typical of Clark. His dad [late Chiefs Founder Lamar Hunt] was known for always doing what was in the best interest of the league." But asked if he would be willing to lose a home game to play internationally, McCaskey said, "No. Clark is a better man than I am" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/11).
BREAKING THE ICE: Former MLSE President & CEO Richard Peddie, appearing at the PrimeTime Sports Management Conference & Trade Show in Toronto yesterday, said, "Who’s going to be the [city's] No. 1 sports franchise in 20 years? I don’t know that it will be the Leafs.” He added, "This city is so diverse now, so different. You’ve got millennials, immigration. And, if you’re not winning, (you have) the Raptors.” Peddie said of his time with MLSE, "If you do your homework, do your market research, and you’re creative and you execute superbly ... unless you’re selling buggy whips, you can have some success.” Meanwhile, Flames President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke addressed myriad topics at the show, saying, "We have gay players in the NHL. It’s just no one has come out." He also said he thinks NHL owners "vote not to go" to the '18 and '22 Winter Games (TORONTO SUN, 11/11).
NOTES: The Lions have “enlisted the services” of Heidrick & Struggles, a Chicago-based executive search firm, to assist Owner & Chair Martha Ford to “identify new leadership” (DETROIT NEWS, 11/11). Meanwhile, the NFL Panthers are “reviewing the policy” on fan banners and signs at Bank of America Stadium. Complaints were “filed against” QB Cam Newton on Sunday for “ripping down” a banner held by a group of Packers fans (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/11).
