Franchise Notes
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Writer Feels Rowell (r) Gets Too Emotionally
Involved In Warriors' Business Decisions |
In Oakland, Monte Poole reports interviews with nearly a dozen players, coaches, agents and league executives -- all of whom have had contact with the Warriors in the past 12 months -- "reveal the widespread perception of the Warriors as a dysfunctional organization where personal agendas often trump sound judgment, with subjective moves sabotaging any real vision." An NBA exec: "There is no long-term plan." An agent: "There is no plan, period. They act like there is and they say there is, but there isn't." Poole writes it is "not by coincidence that the blame for this swift and profound decline lands squarely in the laps" of Warriors President Robert Rowell and coach Don Nelson. The "feeling around the league is that, with" Warriors Exec VP/Basketball Operations Chris Mullin "marginalized, the Warriors are run by two men who tend to get personal and have difficulty keeping their emotions out of the equation" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 3/17).
DAY OF Remembrance: In London, Kaveh Solhekol reports UEFA President Michel Platini yesterday "promised that Liverpool will not be forced to play in the Champions League on the twentieth anniversary" of the Hillsborough stadium disaster when 96 fans were crushed to death in a fenced-in standing area. The tournament's quarter-final games are scheduled for April 14 and 15, and Platini in a statement said, "We are aware of the huge significance of April 15 for both Liverpool and their fans and that is why we will do our utmost to make sure that the club does not have to play its UEFA Champions League second-leg, quarter-final match on that day" (LONDON TIMES, 3/17).
FINANCIAL PLANNERS: In Memphis, Jim Masilak reported the Triple-A PCL Memphis Redbirds "remain for sale and continue to look for relief on the more than $5[M] in bond payments they are obliged to make each year." Sources indicated that the team, "amid concern over declining revenues, are working on a deal to backload this year's bond payments onto the end of the repayment schedule in 2028, giving them some relief in an uncertain year for Minor League Baseball." The Redbirds, "who have struggled to make bond payments on time in the past, received help from FedEx last year when the company agreed to make a lump-sum payment on the balance of its 15-year suite contract" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 3/15).
FREEZE FRAME: The Lakers will not increase ticket prices for the '09-10 season, citing the current economy for the freeze. The team will keep prices between $90-260 for lower-bowl seats and $10-45 for the upper bowl (Lakers). In L.A., Mike Bresnahan notes the team "typically raises ticket prices by about 5% to 7% annually" (L.A. TIMES, 3/17).
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