In L.A., Bill Shaikin reported Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt on Wednesday "asked a judge to consider reinstating the agreement that would have provided McCourt with sole ownership" of the team. L.A. Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon on Dec. 7 "threw out the agreement on grounds it did not conform to California law." The objections McCourt filed Wednesday are "highly unlikely to persuade Gordon to change his mind, but they could be included among the grounds for a possible appeal." McCourt also "plans to ask for a new trial, this one to argue the Dodgers are his property because he bought them with a company formed before his marriage and because the team is held solely in his name" (LATIMES.com, 12/22).
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Season-Ticket Prices For Patriots Games
At Gillette Stadium Will Stay Flat Next Season |
HOLDING STEADY: In Boston, Ian Rapoport reported the Patriots have "decided not to raise prices on season tickets for next year in Gillette Stadium." That means the "best seats will still cost $169, with the price filtering on down from there." The Patriots typically "choose to raise prices once every few years, then to do so by about 30 percent or so." It is still "possible the Pats raise prices on the limited amount of single-game tickets that come available in June," but "not on the others" (BOSTONHERALD.com, 12/22).
WINTER WONDERLAND: In N.Y., Melissa Hoppert reports the Indians "expect to take a financial loss on this year's Snow Days," a winter-themed festival being held at Progressive Field through Jan. 2. Indians President Mark Shapiro said that it was "no surprise that Snow Days was expected to lose money this time, citing 'the challenge of creating an event that's never been done before.'" Shapiro: "But we've learned a ton, and we've gotten better as we've gone along, and I think that will help ensure greater financial success next year." He added that "about a half-dozen major league baseball teams had asked to come to Progressive Field to observe what the Indians are doing" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/23).
MISSING THE SIZZLE: In Miami, David Neal writes, "The Dolphins define boring. They are a bland team in a bland stadium with a bland record and an increasingly apathetic fan base." Possessed by "fear and a useless paranoia that hasn't helped them rise from the morass of inadequate mediocrity, the leaders of the NFL franchise representing one of the world's sexiest, eclectic, electric, exasperating metropolitan areas manages to unpack only that last adjective." Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross "brought in a slew of folks with decent Q ratings as minority owners to reflect South Florida's multiethnic populace." But when "politely asked something fans actually care about, an assessment of his coach, Ross couldn't give a real answer and watched as a security guard put his hands on the reporter" (MIAMI HERALD, 12/23).
