In Pittsburgh, Joe Starkey reports the Penguins are now "off the block" 15 months after co-Owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle considered a potential sale of the team. Lemieux and Burkle "might be looking to add to their group of minority investors," but they are "firmly in control for the foreseeable future." Starkey writes, "This is fabulous news" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/13).
IN REMEMBRANCE: In Ft. Lauderdale, Ira Winderman notes the Magic's regular-season opener at Amway Center on Oct. 26 "will feature the raising of a No. 49 banner in honor of the 49 victims in the Pulse nightclub shooting." Among the Magic's plans to honor the victims include a "tribute video highlighting the city's unity." The Magic said the No. 49 banner "will be filled with each person's name who lost their life that night" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 10/13).
DESIGNATED FOR RETURN? Retiring Red Sox DH David Ortiz has said he hopes to stay with the organization in some capacity, and President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski is "all for it." Dombrowski said, "David Ortiz can have a job in this organization any time he wants. He can probably write the job title that he would like." Ortiz "hopes to eventually take on a role similar to that" of former players Pedro Martinez and Jason Varitek and "be an influence on younger players" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/12).
INDEPENDENT STUDY: In Charlotte, Erik Spanberg reported the USL Charlotte Independence have hired Sacramento-based investment bank Accelerate Sports to "help find the deep pockets needed to pursue an MLS expansion team." Accelerate Founder & CEO Brent Lawrence "has advised" USL Sacramento Republic FC, which is vying for MLS expansion. Charlotte's plan to draw MLS includes a $25M "renovation of 80-year-old Memorial Stadium." Terms "call for city and county government and the Independence to each invest" $8M (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/11).
