Franchise Notes
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Writer Wonders If Stern (l) Will Apply Player
Conduct Rules To Owners Like Cuban |
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE's Mike Lopresti wrote if there is substance to the SEC's insider-trading charges brought against Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, NBA Commissioner David Stern "faces a Cuban dilemma." Stern has been a "hanging judge when it comes to player misconduct, trying to spruce up the NBA image," and he has "campaigned hard for propriety, right down to choice of wardrobe." So if an NBA team owner is "found to have cut a few corners or finance rules," no "simple wagging of the finger will do" (GANNETT NEWS SERVICE, 11/19). Meanwhile, the AP's Jim Litke wrote the SEC charges offer MLB Commissioner Bud Selig a "ready-made excuse" in the bidding for the Cubs to "turn his attention back to a group headed" by Madison Dearborn Partners Chair & CEO John Canning Jr., rather than Cuban. Fellow Cubs bidders were "already pushing rumors" that Cuban was "having trouble raising the cash to back his bid." Now, the "lack of criticism from those same quarters following Monday's announcement of the charges is being interpreted to mean that either way, Cuban's ownership bid is DOA" (AP, 11/19).
DUCK, DUCK, LOOSE: SI.com's Michael Farber wrote following former Ducks Exec VP & GM Brian Burke's departure from the team, new Exec VP & GM Bob Murray is "not about to mess with the red-meat approach of the franchise that brought a jagged edge back into the NHL." But from the "business side of the operation, it might have more of an effect." Although Burke's role in the community was "largely lost on the rest of the NHL, Burke was a tireless promoter of the team and its unfortunately tepid rivalry" with the Kings. But with the "economy sliding, a strong, colorful advocate like Burke would [continue] to have been a plus for a team trying to impress a crowded sports market" (SI.com, 11/19).
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES: In Dallas, Jean-Jacques Taylor writes with the NFL reinstating Cowboys CB Adam Jones, Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones "didn't have to take him back, but he did." Taylor: "I wish I could say I'm surprised, but I'm not. ... These days, Jerry is beyond help. Frankly, he needs counseling. His intense desire to win a championship, an admirable quality, has clouded his judgment." When this "blows up -- and it will -- Jerry won't have anyone to blame but himself" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/20).
KICKING BACK: The USL Atlanta Silverbacks, in a statement on the team Web site, said that they have "decided to sit out the USL season to 'assess the landscape.'" Falcons Owner Arthur Blank's bid for an MLS expansion franchise in the city is "among the reasons listed" in the decision. Silverbacks GM Michael Oki in a statement said, "This was an extremely difficult decision that was prompted by the dynamic events in our economy and the soccer community" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/19).
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