“After a while, you sort of get the hint.”
-- St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay’s Chief of Staff Jeff Rainford, who said the city planned to work directly with the NFL because Rams Owner Stan Kroenke won’t return calls to discuss the team’s future.
“I am not going to use public money, city money, to build an aquatic center. I’m not going to use public money to build an archery gallery. I’m not going to use public money to build a stadium.”
-- Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, on the city's infrastructure plans if it hosted the ’24 Games.
“The government of Yemen has collapsed, we have terror cells in France, and all three network news broadcasts tonight were led with ‘Deflategate.’”
-- NBC’s Al Michaels, on the media coverage around the Patriots’ under-inflated footballs.
“If Steve Ballmer was interested in football on the East Coast, I might be introducing a new owner right now.”
-- Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti, on a tough ’14 highlighted by several off-field team incidents.
“I’m on food stamps, so I had to hitchhike over.”
-- Padres Exec Chair Ron Fowler, joking at Spring Training about the team’s sharp offseason payroll hike.
“I’ve turned down people who have won Academy Awards.”
-- CBS President & CEO Les Moonves, on the “unbelievable crazy” demand for Mayweather-Pacquiao tickets.
“From what I’ve researched and what I’ve experienced, I don’t think it’s worth the risk.”
-- 49ers LB Chris Borland, on retiring at 24 years old after one NFL season due to concerns about the long-term effects of repetitive head trauma.
“Sometimes I think we’ll see a new ballpark on Mars before either of those situations is resolved.”
-- Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, on the ballpark outlook for the Rays and A’s.
“Buying a sports team is sort of like buying art in an auction. Right after submitting the winning bid, you feel foolish for paying so much.”
-- DC United General Partner Will Chang, on the uniqueness of sports ownership.
“We don’t sell heroin. We shouldn’t sell advertising on our jerseys.”
-- Flames President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke, on the possible addition of ads to jerseys in stick-and-ball sports.
“Yes, the pope did influence the NFL schedule. My name may be Katz, but I wasn’t taking any chances.”
-- NFL Senior VP/Broadcasting & Media Operations COO Howard Katz, on accepting a request from the Archbishop of Philadelphia that the Eagles not play at home when Pope Francis was in town.
“There is an arrogance that we know about at the Garden and this is just trumpeting it, saying, ‘I don’t care what you think.’”
-- SNY’s Eamon McAnaney, on Isiah Thomas joining the WNBA Liberty as President and co-Owner.
