In L.A., Jack Wang noted the Chargers have sold out season-ticket packages for their first season in L.A., although they "still have some premium options available, such as suites, cabanas and on-field seats." The team has also "invested millions of dollars in improving the StubHub Center, the soccer stadium in Carson where they will play for the next three seasons." The changes "range from visible additions such as a new scoreboard and additional seats on the berm, to back-end infrastructure that will facilitate game-day communication between coaches and quarterbacks" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 7/1).
MOVING PARTS? In Chicago, Joe Cowley cites a source as saying that there is some "shuffling going on" in the Bulls' front office that "might not bode well" for GM Gar Forman in the long run. The source said to "keep an eye" on Bulls consultant Jim Paxson, the older brother of Bulls Exec VP/Basketball Operations John Paxson. Jim Paxson "seems to be taking on more duties" with the team. While John Paxson "remains safe, Forman’s hold on his job appears to be more tenuous." He has "too many 'yes men' around him and has rubbed too many former players the wrong way" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/3).
HOME SWEET HOME: In Connecticut, Jim Fuller noted 17 of the 24 largest regular-season crowds in WNBA Connecticut Sun history "feature the return of a former UConn star." Thirteen of those games came when either Seattle Storm G Sue Bird or Phoenix Mercury G Diana Taurasi "returned to the state." There are fans who "turn out only to see the former UConn players in action and certainly more media turn out on nights when a prominent former Husky is in town" (NEW HAVEN REGISTER, 7/2).
