Franchise Notes
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Colts Are NFL's Leading Choice To Be Bills'
Opponent for '09 Toronto Series Game |
NFL.com's Vic Carucci cited a league source as indicating that the Colts are the NFL's "leading choice to be the Bills' opponent" for the '09 regular-season game to be played in Toronto as part of the Bills Toronto Series. Carucci noted an announcement "could come during the March 22-25 owners' meetings" in Dana Point, California (NFL.com, 3/15). The CP's Dan Ralph noted the presence of two "marquee players" in Colts QB Peyton Manning and Bills WR Terrell Owens for the game would "certainly be a boon" for Rogers Communications, which paid the Bills C$78M last year to bring eight games to Toronto (CP, 3/15).
AHEAD OF THE PACK: Packers President & CEO Mark Murphy said that the team has "no plans to lay off Packers employees," and that the team's corporate sponsorship "remained strong ... and TV revenue is stable and guaranteed." In Milwaukee, Lori Nickel noted the Packers "decided not to raise 2009 ticket prices but are looking at internal streamlining." Murphy: "A lot of it is tied up with not only the state of the economy, but also potential work stoppage. Really taking a critical look at all our expenses. Everything across the board. We are right in the middle of the budget process now and we're looking at all our expenses. Are there places we can cut back" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 3/15).
HOCKEY NOTES: In Pittsburgh, Rob Rossi notes the Penguins posted their 100th consecutive sellout crowd Sunday. Penguins President David Morehouse said that the team "will play before sellout crowds in seven remaining regular-season home games," and added that sales of season-ticket packages for next season are "'on track' to be capped at 14,000, as was the case this season for the first time in franchise history." The Penguins' season-ticket waiting list, which is in its second season, "tops 2,000 applicants" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 3/16)....In Toronto, Steve Simmons cited sources as indicating that Lightning co-Owners Len Barrie and Oren Koules are "no longer on speaking terms" (TORONTO SUN, 3/15).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS: Friday’s edition of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” featured a segment called “Bought This? Buy This!” which recommended similar items you may like after purchasing a product online. NBC’s Jay Leno: “A lot of sports fans buy their tickets online. Let's say you're a Clippers fan and you bought these Clippers season tickets. There's a good chance you also bought the paper bag with the holes in it because you don't really want to be seen at the game” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 3/13).
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