BLOOMBERG NEWS' Scott Soshnick cited sources as saying that Houston-native Beyoncé is "mulling an investment" in the Rockets. The singer "would add superstar sizzle to any ownership group, likely helping the team with local and international marketing" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 8/1). THE RINGER's Haley O'Shaughnessy wrote under the header, "Beyonce Would Be A Perfect Owner For The Rockets" (THERINGER.com, 8/1). Meanwhile, Basketball HOFer Hakeem Olajuwon is also interested in a stake in the team. He said, "Many groups now have called me and want me involved. With two of the groups, I'm doing my background check to see if that is a possibility. Just an association would be great" (ESPN.com, 8/1).
READY FOR TAKEOFF: In DC, Steven Goff notes for the second time in a month, DC United on Saturday "arrived for an away match on the same day as the game because the scheduled commercial flight the day before had been cancelled." An antiquated MLS rule "limits teams to four charters per season" to foster competitive balance, but the league is "all grown up now and every ownership group is stacked with enough cash to cover the cost of upgraded travel." DC United coach Ben Olsen: "This league has to do charters. This is a joke. They really need to figure this out. Strike a deal with a charter company, give them some sponsorship" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/2).
HERE TO STAY: In Chicago, John Keilman notes La Liga club FC Barcelona's "week of drills and scrimmages marked the Spanish mega-club's first step" into the city's youth soccer community, and it "will be followed this fall by academies." ISL Futbol co-Founder Marco Segarra, whose company is managing FCB's U.S. expansion, said, "Why are Europeans in this market now? Because in 10 years this will be the hottest market on Earth" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/2).
