In Dallas, Evan Grant noted Rangers President Nolan Ryan has been named the Dallas Morning News' Texas Sports Personality of the Year. Ryan upon becoming president in '08 "became the bond that kept the organization together and moving forward even as the team's financial situation grew more dire by the day." Ryan's "unwavering support" for the team's front office "gave the baseball operations department more legitimacy." Additionally, Ryan's presence in Chuck Greenberg's ownership group "helped open doors to more connections" in its quest to buy the team, and "helped win the approval of key ally" in MLB Commissioner Bud Selig (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/27).
EXPECTED HIKE: In Philadelphia, Mark Kram noted "no one was especially surprised" by the Phillies' decision to raise ticket prices in November. A Philadelphia Daily News and Temple Sport Industry Research Center survey found that before the Phillies signed P Cliff Lee, 52% of respondents "who identified the Phillies as their favorite team said they expected a ticket price increase." Kram noted 16% of respondents were "surprised," while 15% said the Phillies were "worth the extra money." Thirteen percent were "disappointed," 3% were "angry" and 1% were "not sure" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 12/28).
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Despite On-Court Struggles, The Kings Are
Drawing Bigger Crowds Than Last Season |
WHAT RECORD? In Sacramento, Tony Bizjak noted the NBA Kings are "actually drawing more fans than they did last year" despite possessing the worst record in the league. The Kings are averaging around 13,400 fans this season, "slightly more than the 13,250 last season." The figure is "among the worst in the league" and is "fewer than those 17,000-plus crowds from the winning seasons." But Bizjak wrote it marks "improvement for a product that's not showing any." Kings marketing officials said that attendance "has been helped by variable ticket pricing and new ticket packages, including a 'MiX It Up' pass that allows fans to buy tickets cheaply at the last minute" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 12/26).
SERVING AS MOTIVATION? Clippers Owner Donald Sterling reportedly has been taunting his players, including G Baron Davis, during games, and in L.A., T.J. Simers wondered how "anyone in the media can be critical of Sterling's caring as he does." Simers: "Is there a better motivator in town right now? Have you watched Baron Davis play lately? If you pay a guy $65 million to perform and he doesn't, aren't you entitled as much as anyone to stick in the needle?" Davis is "playing so well he might be worthy trade bait," and if the Clippers are "able to trade Davis, doesn't Sterling deserve all the credit for making it possible?" Simers wrote Clippers fans are "obviously just as upset" as Sterling, and they "should be applauding an owner willing to say the things they only wish they could say to Davis" (L.A. TIMES, 12/28).
BUZZ SPREADING: In New Orleans, John Reid noted the Hornets drew 15,626 fans for Sunday's game against the Hawks at New Orleans Arena. The attendance marked the "second largest crowd of the season" and the second consecutive home game in which the team "attracted a crowd larger than 15,000." The Hornets also are "expected to have a sellout" for tonight's game against the Lakers (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 12/27).
