FEELING MINNESOTA: In Minneapolis, lawyers for the
Twins yesterday asked a Hennepin County (MN) District Judge
"to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the Metropolitan Sports
Facilities Commission that seeks to block the team from
exercising an escape clause in its Metrodome lease." A
mediator found in favor of the Twins in March, but the
commission responded by filing suit (STAR TRIBUNE, 6/9).
METS: About 20,000 tickets have been sold for Hideo
Nomo's Mets pitching debut tonight, "but a walk-up crowd is
expected to push it over 30,000" (STAR-LEDGER, 6/9). In
N.Y., Andrew Marchand writes Mets C Mike Piazza would not
confirm reports that he earns $3M in Japanese endorsements,
"but did say Nomo helped him land the deals." Mets GM Steve
Phillips said the endorsements did not affect his thinking
in trading for Nomo: "We acquired (Piazza) not knowing if we
would get Nomo. So if (the endorsements are) a benefit to
us, then we are glad that (they are), but (they weren't)
part of the plan" (N.Y. POST, 6/9).
NOTES: TIME's Daniel Kadlec writes on the Indians' IPO
and says that despite their success, the Indians are "only
marginally profitable. ... When the team eventually stops
winning, it could easily lose $10 million a year. ... All of
which makes this IPO a strikeout for true investors and a
smash" for team Owner Richard Jacobs (TIME, 6/15 issue).
...In L.A., Mark Heisler writes under the header, "Is
America Tired Of All The Bull?" Heisler: "The Bulls still
move merchandise and guarantee TV ratings ... however, the
act may be getting old. There's only anecdotal evidence,
but if fans were polled as voters are, the Bulls might find,
like a certain president, their negatives are rising" (L.A.
TIMES, 6/9)....In N.Y., Phil Mushnick reports that the cost
of Nets tickets next season will rise by an average of 25%.
The team's top courtside ticket will increase from $375 to
$500 (N.Y. POST, 6/8)....Big oil "scored a smashing victory"
yesterday when the S.F. Board of Supervisors held a proposal
that sponsors said would cut oil prices by breaking oil
companies' control over gas stations. S.F.-based Chevron
"mounted a furious lobbying effort" against the bill, with
Giants President Peter Magowan among those who lobbied on
its behalf. Chevron is a Giants sponsor (CHRONICLE, 6/9).
