USA TODAY's Kevin Allen polled 31 high-profile players at the NHL/NHLPA's media tour, and 21 (67.7%) chose Quebec City's Videotron Centre as the "venue the league should next embrace." Seattle "finished second in the survey with nine votes, and Houston totaled one vote." More than 90% of players polled said that they "believe that NHL players’ right to compete in the Olympics should be included" in the next CBA (USA TODAY, 9/12).
SOCIAL SETTING: In Boston, Gary Washburn wrote the NBA "continued to show why it is unquestionably the most progressive league in American pro sports," as Commissioner Adam Silver and NBPA Exec Dir Michele Roberts "sent out a joint statement encouraging the players to be socially active and speak freely." Silver said that he "follows all the league’s happenings via social media." Silver: "As to why we’re so popular in social media, one reason is we embraced it, we embraced it early on. We went out to our players and encouraged them to actively participate in social media" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/10).
NEW STRUCTURE: Major Arena Soccer League Digital Content & PR exec Jeff Husted said that the league Friday voted to "grant a license to a newly structured ownership group" for the K.C. Comets. In K.C., James Dornbrook wrote gaining a license "clears the team to sign player contracts and compete in the league this season." Brian Budzinski "remains an owner." The team "lost its franchise license in July, when it was uncertain whether the team could find new partners in time for the coming season" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/11).
LEADERS ABOUND: Huntington Beach-based holdings company Compass Creek Capital President & CEO Jerry Craig has become a majority shareholder in Major League Football, as well as its President & CEO. MFL will debut in eight non-NFL cities in spring '18. Craig said the league later this month will appoint team GMs and coaches, as well as the restructured executive management team in the league front office (MFL).
