Franchise Notes
An NFL source said that the league "probably will be able to investigate and adjudicate" the Packers' tampering charges against the Vikings. The source said that the NFL's investigation into charges that the Vikings violated league rules by talking to retired Packers QB Brett Favre "apparently go back only to early June; probably could be handled in a week; and more likely would see league officials traveling to the [Vikings' HQs] for interviews and investigations rather than conducting a hearing at league offices" in N.Y. It is unclear what evidence the Packers have in their claim (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 7/18).
A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS: In San Antonio, Tracy Idell Hamilton reports the Spurs last month wrote a check for more than $710,000 to pay off the outstanding bills of the city's venue tax campaign, "pushing the total price tag for victory to almost $2[M] -- roughly twice what the campaign's backers had anticipated spending." The team contributed three-quarters of the campaign's total price. Voters on May 10 "approved keeping in place a 1.75[%] tax on hotel rooms and a 5[%] tax on rental cars to pay for projects in four major categories," including $100M in improvements to the AT&T Center, Freeman Coliseum and the rodeo grounds (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 7/18).
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| Silver Stars Enjoy Increased Media Focus |
SILVER LINING: Also in San Antonio, Heather Draper wrote the WNBA Silver Stars are "not only enjoying a fantastic season, but also an expanding fan base and increasing media attention, especially from local TV." The team's average attendance of 7,385 per game at the AT&T Center is "essentially flat from 2007," but is up from an average of 6,941 fans in '06. Silver Stars Dir of Business Operations Russell Warren: "Our season ticket sales are up, and we've seen an increase in our walk-up ticket sales. As we head toward the playoffs, attendance numbers will increase" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 7/17).
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND: In Buffalo, Gene Warner reports both the Bills and Sabres are "on the verge of selling out their seasons." The Bills have sold 54,200 season tickets, the third most in team history, while the Sabres said that "97[%] of their season-ticket holders have re-upped for next season." The Sabres "once again expect to cap their season-ticket sales at 14,800," which would leave them with a "pair of waiting lists, for season tickets and for their 80 suites" (BUFFALO NEWS, 7/18).
TURNING THE TIDE: SNY’s Brandon Tierney said of Knicks President Donnie Walsh: “I think he hired the right coach (in Mike D'Antoni). … That projects positively. I also think that Donnie Walsh himself just projects positively. He’s the anti-Isiah Thomas. People detested Isiah Thomas, and Donnie is a Bronx guy who’s different. I think people inherently like him” (“The Wheelhouse,” SNY, 7/17).
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