In Indianapolis, Mike Chappell noted "a few hundred tickets remain" for the Colts' Sunday home opener against the Vikings, but the game “technically is a sellout and will be broadcast in the local market.” That “extends the team’s string of Lucas Oil Stadium sellouts to 80 games, including the postseason.” Along with “approximately 300 tickets” that were available yesterday, “another batch could become available to the public later in the week from whatever amount Minnesota doesn’t sell from its allotment” (INDYSTAR.com, 9/10).
FEED THE LIONS: In Detroit, Bill Shea noted the announced crowd of 62,315 for Sunday's Rams-Lions game was the Lions' "largest crowd for a home opener since moving into Ford Field a decade ago." The increase of 2,275 fans on Sunday over last year's opener "meant $291,768 in additional revenue for the Lions” (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 9/10).
KISSING COUSINS? In Akron, Betty Lin-Fisher notes “the official grocery store, bank and ketchup of the Cleveland Browns are Pittsburgh-based companies.” Lin-Fisher asks, “Have you noticed that you can often find Pittsburgh Steelers products right next to Browns gear at area stores?” If observers have "missed all those subtleties on television, radio or at the store, maybe it’s because the old rivalry just isn’t there anymore.” Giant Eagle and PNC Bank "sponsor both the Browns and the Steelers." Browns Senior VP/Business Development Jim Ross said of Pittsburgh-based companies becoming high-profile Browns sponsors, “There’s no conspiracy theory” (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 9/11).
