In Indianapolis, Mike Wells notes Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird, who yesterday announced he is stepping down, "will be in charge of the team's pick" in tonight's NBA Draft. New Pacers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh "was OK with Bird making the team's selection considering Wash started attending workouts of potential draft prospects just two weeks ago" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/28). Also in Indianapolis, Bob Kravitz writes, "I'm going to miss Larry Bird." Bird and his staff "did one heck of a job resurrecting this Pacers franchise out of the ashes of The Brawl." Popular opinion as to why Bird stepped down is either, "He really has health problems with his back and shoulder," or "It's Larry being Larry. He's not afraid to walk away when you least expect it" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/28).
IF YOU BUILD IT... USA TODAY's Paul White notes average attendance at Marlins Park is 28,240, "up nearly 10,000 from last year and the franchise's best" since '97. The team this year is "drawing about 77% of capacity in the 37,000-seat stadium." Marlins President David Samson said, "We are happy but not satisfied. Of course we'd like to be sold out every game. I was hoping we would." Crowds had been "steady until last weekend" against the Blue Jays, "the first time the team went through a weekend series without at least two crowds of more than 30,000" (USA TODAY, 6/28).
GOING STREAKING: In Nashville, John Glennon notes the Titans are "hoping that new half-season ticket packages will help keep" their 134-game home sellout streak intact. In the past, fans "had only two choices: either buy full-season tickets or single-game season tickets," and single-game purchasers "were limited to buying tickets for just two games." But the new packages "offer an option in between the two former alternatives." Titans Exec VP/Administration & Facilities Don MacLachlan said that the team "probably will offer about 750-800 of the half-season packages" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 6/28).
BANG FOR THEIR BUCS: In Tampa, Stephen Holder noted the Buccaneers plan to honor CB Ronde Barber on Sept. 9, when Barber "will make his 200th consecutive start" as the team opens the '12 season against the Panthers. The Bucs will "offer free parking, half-priced concessions and offer fans a giveaway -- a Ronde Barber gym sack" (TAMPABAY.com, 6/27).
