In Sacramento, Andy Furillo wrote NBA Kings Managing Partner Vivek Ranadive has "drawn understandable criticism for the poor performance of his basketball team." He is "in charge, so he must take responsibility for it being a miserable loser." Sources have told other news agencies that some of the team's partners "have not been pleased with Ranadive's stewardship." Phone calls "were placed" to some partners, but most "were not returned." The ones who "did respond supported" Ranadive (SACBEE.com, 2/28).
ONE AT A TIME: THE MMQB's Peter King wrote the Rams' schedule at L.A. Memorial Coliseum this season "will be interesting from a couple perspectives." Fans should not "expect the team to play at the Coliseum on back-to-back days" with USC football, and "don’t expect Rams games to be scheduled at the Coliseum on weeknights while school is in session." Because of that, it is "likely the Rams will open the season on the road" (MMQB.SI.com, 2/29).
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE: THE HOCKEY NEWS' Ryan Kennedy wrote there is a "sea change happening" with the Panthers. While attendance at BB&T Center is "still near the bottom of the league, it is up about 2,500 fans per home game from last year -- not bad at all." But just as "importantly ... is that the team is becoming a destination for talent." Exec VP & GM Dale Tallon "made the Panthers viable" (THEHOCKEYNEWS.com, 2/28).
