In Chicago, Paul Sullivan noted Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein "still is awaiting his new contract," but there is "no doubt in anyone's mind the extension will get done eventually, though neither side seems to be in a rush." But the price tag "figures to keep going up as the summer marches on," as the daily sellouts at Wrigley Field and national coverage of the team suggest Epstein has "built a gold mine that will be producing for years to come." Sullivan: "What's the upside of signing an extension now? Waiting until October is a win-win for Epstein" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/10).
SEATTLE STEW: In N.Y., Seth Berkman reported there are "early indications" that WNBA Seattle Storm rookie F Breanna Stewart is "making an impact" on the team's bottom line. The Storm had a 14% "increase in ticket sales for its home opener compared with last season," and a 15% "increase in merchandise sales -- driven by Stewart apparel -- for the game." The Storm have also had a 100% "increase in average viewership on local television compared with last year" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/10).
FOREIGN AFFAIR: In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy noted MLB "certainly caught the previous Red Sox regime cheating in regard to signing teen prospects from Latin America." MLB "spanked the Sox with unprecedented sanctions, including the loss of five prospects." By any measure, "it’s another notch in the loss column for" former GM Ben Cherington (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/9).
