Franchise Notes
In St. Louis, Jeremy Rutherford reports Michigan-based General Sports & Entertainment
(GS&E) Chair & CEO Andy Appleby is “involved in negotiations to purchase” the
Blues and the Savvis Center lease. Sources said that “no deal appears imminent
because of the complexity of talks with multiple bidders,” including MLS Real
Salt Lake Owner Dave Checketts. GS&E owns several minor league franchises, including
the Single-A Midwest League Ft. Wayne Wizards (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 12/13).
In the latest GS&E newsletter, Appleby writes, “We have begun to investigate the
acquisition of our own Major League team” (THE DAILY).
MILL-ING ABOUT: Jazz Owner Larry Miller attended the team’s game against
the Pistons last night, the first time he has attended a game since he “yelled
at the players for their poor effort” against the Knicks on November 14. Miller
said that he stayed away “for his health, both mentally and physically. He was
so discouraged he even briefly entertained thoughts of selling the franchise.”
Miller: “If someone could have convinced me they would buy the team and take care
of it and keep it here, I might have taken a look at that” (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE,
12/13).
ROAD WARRIORS: While the 76ers’ average home attendance this season is
14,943, the team has drawn an average of 18,500 fans for road games, ranking third
in the NBA behind only the Nuggets and Spurs (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 12/13).
KNIGHT TIME: In Baltimore, Gus Sentementes notes the Orioles are “trying
to void the remaining $10[M] they owe” former P Sidney Ponson, who the team waived
in August. Ponson was sentenced to five days in jail yesterday for DWI, and an
MLB official declined comment “on what effect Ponson’s guilty verdict and jail
sentence might have on the dispute.” But Sentementes notes if Ponson, an Aruban
citizen, could not get a U.S. work visa next year, the Orioles “would probably
have an excuse not to pay him, per their contract” (Baltimore SUN, 12/13).
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