In L.A., Matt McHale reports that former Dodgers Exec
VP Fred Claire "took the high road" at a press conference
yesterday, choosing not to "rip" Peter O'Malley or Rupert
Murdoch (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 6/25). Also in L.A., Ross Newhan
writes that Claire's Dodgers tenure was "marked by the same
integrity and dignity" he displayed yesterday (L.A. TIMES,
6/25). In L.A., J.A. Adande, on the firing of manager Bill
Russell and Claire, "a move that had no precedent": "These
days, all it takes is a sub-.500 season, just like anywhere
else. That's what the Dodgers are now: another team" (L.A.
TIMES, 6/25)....On "Business Center," CNBC's Don Dahler
reported on the Fox Group's moves since buying the Dodgers
and said that Murdoch "has a reputation as a bottom line guy
who doesn't mind shedding a little blood in the front
office" (CNBC, 6/24)....The NHL Board of Governors is
expected to formally approve Art Williams today as the new
owner of the Lightning. After gaining league approval,
Williams expects to close on the $117M sale "by the end of
the month" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 6/25)....In N.Y., Owen Moritz
reports that the Mets sold promotional rights to this
weekend's Mets-Yankees interleague series to the N.Y.
Mercantile Exchange for an undisclosed sum. Moritz: "But
apparently, few fans -- or the exchange's own workers --
know or care that the Merc is sponsoring the series." The
Yankees cut a similar deal with Mercantile officials last
year, but, "to the exchange's chagrin, did little to
publicize it" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/25)....The Islanders
officially returned to their "glory-era" team jerseys with a
few minor adjustments. The "most significant" is four
stripes on the right sleeve signifying the Isles' four
Stanley Cups (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/25)....The Pittsburgh City
Council will send a letter to the NFL "protesting" how the
Ravens "handle ticket sales to out-of-town groups." The
team offers group deals in three-game packages. Steelers VP
Arthur Rooney II, on the Ravens' policy: "We don't like it,
but we're aware of it" (TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 6/24).
