FANHOUSE.com's Christopher Botta cited an NHL source as saying there is "nothing new" and "nothing anyone should get excited about yet" regarding a recent report that Trian Fund Management CEO Nelson Peltz is interested in purchasing the Islanders. But sources "have confirmed that Peltz has let his interest be known." An NHL source said Peltz "has been kicking tires around the Islanders on and off for about a year, looking to see if he can get them cheap." ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun in a live chat Monday said that the CBC's Glenn Healy "had an item about Peltz's interest in the team, but the information did not make" Saturday's "Hockey Night In Canada" broadcast. Sources said that Healy's report is "correct." Peltz, "known as 'a takeover artist,' has interest, but at his price." A formal offer from Peltz to Islanders Owner Charles Wang "does not appear to be imminent" (FANHOUSE.com, 12/21).
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Cal Ripken Waiting For Son To Finish High
School Before Looking At O's Front Office Role |
BACK IN THE FOLD? In Baltimore, Jeff Zrebiec noted Baseball HOFer Cal Ripken Jr. during the '10 Orioles season "had ongoing dialogue" with Owner Peter Angelos and President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail "about a front office role." But "nothing has changed in recent days on that matter." Ripken "has said all along that he is waiting for his son, who is getting some attention on the recruiting trail, to graduate from high school before he potentially transitions into a new phase of his post playing career." Ripken: "I'm open minded when Ryan goes to school, things could change or maybe I want to watch him go to school. I don't know yet. I was curious last summer. But right now, I haven't sat down and said this is the strategy I want to go forward with" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 12/21).
PAY UP: The AP's Ronald Blum reported the Yankees yesterday were "hit with an $18 million luxury tax" by MLB. The total, down from $25.7M in '09 when the Yankees won the World Series, marks the team's "lowest since 2003." The Red Sox are the "only other team that will have to pay," as they "exceeded the payroll threshold for the first time since 2007 and owe $1.49 million." The Yankees and Red Sox "must send checks to the commissioner's office by Jan. 31" (AP, 12/21).
