The MLS Whitecaps announced Thursday that they will "play an exhibition on July 18 against" EPL club Manchester City at Vancouver's Empire Field, and the Whitecaps are "giving the game free to all season-ticket holders, some 15,000 fans whose original package did not include a marquee international exhibition." With an aim to "get season tickets to 16,500, the team’s also offering the match free to anyone who commits to the year by the end of April" (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/15). The GLOBE & MAIL's Paul Attfield wrote the Whitecaps presenting free tickets to the Man City game is the "latest step in the club's philosophy to get fans onside" during its inaugural MLS season (GLOBESPORTS.com, 4/14).
THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS: In Ft. Worth, Sandra Baker reports the MLB Rangers will "continue operating the parking lots -- and prices will remain the same -- at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, at least for now." Tarrant County state District Judge Ken Curry Thursday told former Rangers Owner Tom Hicks that he "needs to continue honoring a land-use agreement with the baseball team that was reached" for the '10 and '11 seasons. Another hearing on the issue is set for April 28. Hicks wants to "end the agreement because the two sides have been unable to reach a long-term lease on more than 11,670 parking spaces or a sale of the property." The Rangers have been "working under an interim agreement that expired Wednesday" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/15).
ROGERS THAT: The CP's Jim Bronskill reports the Blue Jays have filed a claim for C$470,854 from the Canadian federal government after Toronto's G20 summit "struck out big time with the city's baseball team." Documents reveal that the Blue Jays filed a claim "after the high-level, high-security meetings forced the team to shift a series of games to Philadelphia" last June. That move "spoiled the keenly anticipated appearance" of P Roy Halladay, who the Blue Jays traded to the Phillies before the '10 season (CP, 4/15).
