Franchise Notes
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Sixers Optimistic Their PR
Campaign Will Bring Fans Out |
In Philadelphia, John Gonzalez notes the 76ers, in advance of Game Three of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Magic Friday, yesterday "gave away free gasoline," and today are "giving away a supermarket shopping spree." The team also will be "handing out free white Sixers shirts" at the game and is asking the city to "temporarily refer to the Schuylkill Expressway as the I-76ers." 76ers Senior VP/Business Operations Lara Price said that the team has sold "more than 10,000 seats as of yesterday," and that the team is "optimistic that the ongoing PR campaign ... will convince the fans to turn out" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/21).
ONGOING SQUABBLE: Turner Broadcasting attorney Jim Lamberth yesterday in Fulton County (GA) Superior Court argued that a county jury "'got it drastically wrong' when it awarded" Texas businessman David McDavid $281M "on a claim he was cheated out of buying the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers." Lamberth also argued that the jury "ignored critical evidence, including that the parties did not have a written agreement on all terms," and he noted that the deal also "lacked necessary approval from the NBA and NHL." But McDavid attorney Steven Rosenwasser argued that the jury was "'careful' and 'deliberate' when it awarded his client such a large amount for breaking a deal to sell him the teams" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 4/21).
DEEPER LOOK: The AP reported Louisiana lawmakers yesterday asked an auditor to look into a "proposal that would have New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson acting as the state's landlord." The team and the state's chief negotiator have both "refused to comment on intentions involving" the Dominion Towers office building Benson would buy, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has "stressed no deal has been made with the team and said he would provide details about the deal when it is finished" (AP, 4/20).
OFF-COURT FOCUS: The GLOBE & MAIL's Jeff Blair notes most of Raptors President & GM Bryan Colangelo's season-ending news conference yesterday "dealt rightly with looming economic uncertainty." Colangelo said that "'negative growth' is a possibility," and that ticket renewals are "down from the same time last year, 'but I wouldn't say to the point where there's a panic at this point.'" Colangelo: "It's forced us to reach out to customers in a way we haven't had to before. Every time you go through a crisis in business, you learn things about your organization." Blair writes it was "clear that Colangelo needed to act less like a GM and more like a businessman," and when Colangelo "promised 'no rash decisions,' it was all too easy to believe him" (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/21).
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