In San Diego, Bill Center reports the "parties to the pending Padres sale met in New York City on Monday and Tuesday with Steve Greenberg of the Allen & Co. brokerage company." Prospective buyer the O’Malley Group’s exclusive negotiating window with Padres Chair John Moores "has been extended through at least this week." Greenberg and Moag & Company's John Moag "were retained earlier this spring to advise Moores on the sale." Liquid Investments Chair & CEO and Padres investor Ron Fowler "is also in New York representing the minority owners" from the group Padres Vice Chair Jeff Moorad put together in 2009 in his failed effort to buy the team from Moores (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 7/18).
WHEN YOU ASSUME...: In Tampa, Stephen Holder noted although the Buccaneers' decision to adopt the NFL's new blackout policy "is extremely popular among fans, nothing is guaranteed when it comes to seeing games on TV." Holder: "To that end, let's take a look at how things might play out." Reaching the league's new non-premium ticket sales threshold of 85% "seems achievable, but a look at some recent attendance figures shows the challenges the Bucs still face." The Rams-Buccaneers game in October '10 drew 42,020 to Raymond James Stadium, which has just over 51,000 non-premium seats. Because that number is total attendance, it means the "number of non-premium seats sold was even less." Even under the "new system, which makes blackouts far less likely, nothing can be assumed" (TAMPABAY.com, 7/17).
JAZZ 'HORNS: The NBA announced yesterday that the Reno Bighorns have been "named the D-League affiliate" of the Jazz. In Salt Lake City, Jody Genessy notes the Bighorns also have affiliations with the Grizzlies and Kings for the '12-13 season. After the D-League Utah Flash folded in '11, the Jazz were "affiliated with the Idaho Stampede for a season." But the Stampede "became the sole affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers this past spring, forcing the Jazz to find a new partner" (DESERET NEWS, 7/18).
