The Orioles through Tuesday were in first in the AL East with a 34-23 record that was second best in the AL, but ESPN.com's Eddie Matz noted they also are "averaging 23,904 fans per home game, which ranks 23rd in the majors." That is "just behind the Twins and just ahead of the Braves, two teams that have combined for 33 wins, or exactly as many W’s as the Birds have all by themselves." But the Orioles, the only current division leader besides the Indians that is "not in the top half of MLB attendance, is on pace to draw less than 2 million for just the fifth time in 25 seasons at Camden Yards" (ESPN.com, 6/8).
BUCK HUNT: In Wisconsin, Lintereur & Beck in a front-page piece cite sources as saying that Sheboygan is "among several Midwestern cities vying to land" a new NBA D-League team being launched by the Bucks. City of Sheboygan Dir of Planning & Development and Sustainability Coordinator Chad Pelishek said that the local stakeholders group behind the bid "has met with the Sheboygan Common Council and other city officials in closed session to discuss the proposal." Bucks officials have said that the team "hopes to launch a D-League affiliate" by fall '17 and "have confirmed that several cities have shown interest" (SHEBOYGAN PRESS, 6/9).
TEMPERED EXPECTATIONS: In Oklahoma City, Chris Brannick noted Spanish soccer club Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, the majority owner of NASL club Rayo OKC, was "recently relegated from Spain's top division," which carries "huge financial implications." But Rayo Vallecano Chair Raul Martin Presa on Tuesday said that the club "wasn't trying to rid itself" of Rayo OKC. However, club Dir Luis Yanez said they were trying to “lower the sails” of Rayo OKC. Presa said that he was "looking into what to do with Rayo OKC and there is an interest in selling its share in hopes of stemming losses." He added that Rayo Vallecano "needs to shift its focus to next season and regaining a promotion to the top flight" (OKLAHOMAN, 6/8).
