The Ackerley Group, parent of the Sonics, reported a
record profit for '96, according to Greg Heberlein of the
SEATTLE TIMES. Ackerley's profit was $15.8M, or $.50/share,
up from a year-ago loss of $2.9M, or $.09/share. Sales were
up 19%, to $280M. Ackerley Chair Barry Ackerley said player
salaries, marketing expenses for a World Wide Web site and
name change cut fourth-quarter operating cash flow by $1M
(SEATTLE TIMES, 1/30)....In Miami, First Union National Bank
has partnered with the Dolphins to put a 10,240-square-foot
sign on top of the Dolphins Training Facility at Nova
Southeastern Univ. in Davie, FL. The sign will be visible
to all planes as they enter or exit Ft. Lauderdale Int'l
airport (Dolphins). ...Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones issued a
memo yesterday preventing anyone in the Cowboys'
organization, including coach Barry Switzer, from discussing
football-related matters with the media. Taylor calls the
move "the final step in a season-long trend by the Cowboys
to limit media access" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/31)....The
Brewers will hold a memorabilia sale out of their clubhouse
Sunday, selling everything from team jerseys to Ken Griffey
Jr.'s baseball pants (USA TODAY, 1/31)....In Dallas, the
Mavericks are interviewing former Knicks coach Don Nelson
for their GM position (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/31).
