Bobcats Vice Chair Curtis Polk said the NBA's new CBA has "improved the situation quite a bit," according to Rick Bonnell of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Polk added, "It's not perfect, but it's improved the playing field to make us more competitive." Polk: "The combination of revenue-sharing (between large and small markets) with the reduction in (salary-cap) exceptions -- in particular, how tax-paying teams can use them. That's going to make for more competitive balance. Things like shorter contracts will make for more flexibility" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/11). Meanwhile, the Bobcats announced they will hold Fan Appreciation Month for the rest of December. During the team's home opener on Dec. 26 all concessions will be 50% off and all fans in attendance will receive a free T-shirt. Upper-level tickets will be $5 for the first three home games in January -- Jan. 6 against the Hawks, Jan. 10 against the Rockets and Jan. 13 against the Pistons (Bobcats). Bobcats Owner Michael Jordan in a full-page ad in Sunday's Charlotte Observer penned a letter to fans about the upcoming season. Jordan wrote, "Throughout my basketball career, I don't think there has ever been a time when I have been more excited to get a season started. ... The goal [of the CBA] was to end up with a system that gives all teams in our league an opportunity to be competitive. I think everyone realizes that this particularly important for a small market like ours" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/11).
FAN ENGAGEMENT: In Philadelphia, Bob Cooney noted since taking over the club, 76ers Owner Josh Harris and CEO Adam Aron "have religiously corresponded with fans in an attempt to bring this team back into the minds of basketball fans." Though both said that it is "still a work in progress, Harris is happy with the results thus far and impressed with the passion of the fans." Harris: "We obviously had a lot of work on the business side in terms of creating the better fan experience and engaging with the fans. ... We're trying to get their input and implement some of that. [CEO Adam Aron] is sort of on the non-basketball side of things and he has been working, literally, 24-7. It was very beneficial from that point of view." Harris added, "They want us to win. People say they appreciate all this, but at the same time 'deliver us wins'" (PHILLY.com, 12/11).
