Franchise Notes
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Steelers Facing Big Week In Regards
To Current Ownership Issues |
In Pittsburgh, Bouchette & Dulac report the Steelers "could take a first major step in solving their ownership issue by the end of this week." Four Rooney brothers are "expected soon ... to choose between two 'final' offers" for their shares of the franchise -- one headed by Pittsburgh-based Duquesne Capital Management Chair Stanley Druckenmiller and one headed by Steelers Chair Dan Rooney. Druckenmiller has announced a Friday deadline for a decision, but it is "difficult to determine, however, whether it's a hard deadline or if [he] would be willing to give the Rooneys more time." Even when a deal is accepted by the brothers, the NFL "must approve any ownership change and commissioner Roger Goodell has said league owners prefer the Rooneys remain in control of the Steelers." A Rooney family member said, "It's a big week" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 9/17).
LAKERS: In L.A., Greg Johnson reports the Lakers unveiled a ticket premium that will add "as much as $55 to the cost of an admission to seven home games" this season against the Celtics, Cavaliers and Mavericks. Season-ticket holders "won't be subject to the premium," and the team also "won't charge more for the select games for about 600 seats in the upper-level bowl that continue to be sold at a league-mandated $10." Lakers Senior VP/Business Operations Tim Harris said the premium will be assessed on "roughly 900 to 1,000 tickets at the seven games." The premium comes "on the heels of an overall price increase" of about 5.5% for next season (L.A. TIMES, 9/17).
D'BACKS: In Phoenix, Nick Piecoro reports the D'Backs "will be at home on Opening Day next season, hosting the [Rockies] on April 6 in the first game of a nine-game homestand." Early versions of the '09 MLB schedule, which is expected to be released today, had the D'Backs opening in Colorado, but D'Backs officials "successfully lobbied the commissioner's office to make the change, preventing the club from opening on the road for the fourth consecutive season" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/17).
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