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Franchise Notes

In St. Louis, Jeremy Rutherford notes there was a "high level of frustration within the fan base when the Blues were unable to make any moves by Monday's trading deadline, mostly because of the team being for sale." But Blues President of Hockey Operations John Davidson "insists the ownership issues haven't affected the club's mindset." He said, "We have a budget and we adhere to the budget. The ownership part doesn't even reflect on hockey operations. Our players, our coaches, our management, we've just cared about that. If and when that type of thing gets done, that's awesome. But right now, there are no issues." Davidson added that the Blues' decision to "stand pat at the deadline, in part, had to do with maintaining the makeup of the roster" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 3/1).

FOCUSING ON THE TEAM: An L.A. TIMES editorial stated Dodgers fans are "already grousing that they won't go to the games or park" in the parking lots if outgoing team Owner Frank McCourt keeps them. But the editorial stated it is "important to stay focused on the main issue: to get the team under new, healthier management." The editorial: "For the fans, this shouldn't be about the real estate, it should be about the game." If McCourt can "effect a sale to an MLB-approved buyer without giving up the parking lots, good for him." But if every bidder is going to "walk away from the negotiating table because the land around the stadium isn't in play, or if the only bidders who will agree to buy the team without the lots can't survive MLB's scrutiny, then it's time for McCourt to reevaluate his selling terms" (L.A. TIMES, 2/29).

PLAN B: In Sacramento, Marcos Breton notes the "longer the feud grinds on" between the A's and the Giants over the A's attempt to relocate, the "more you wonder if the A's owners will simply give up and sell the team." They have "tried so hard to leave Oakland, they've alienated an already small fan base." But if MLB Commissioner Bud Selig "upholds the Giants' territorial rights and blocks an A's move to San Jose, Sacramento could rejoin the conversation." It is "just a pipe dream now, but if the A's are prevented from moving to San Jose," Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson "should pick up the phone" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 3/1).

CRACKING DOWN: In Houston, Jose de Jesus Ortiz wrote in part "because of the smoke bombs and a few obscenity bombs Dynamo supporters dropped during the playoffs, Major League Soccer has sanctioned the Dynamo’s supporter groups and withdrawn some exceptions MLS usually makes for supporters groups." Ortiz: "I’m all for having fun, but there’s no need for obscene language and gestures at soccer games. Knowing that the majority of the Dynamo supporters are classy individuals, I’m sure they’ll regain their rights in time. For now, though, it’s hard to argue with MLS’s decision" (CHRON.com, 2/27).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

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