In Ft. Lauderdale, Craig Davis writes the Dolphins hope the “lack of suspense" around tonight's unveiling of a new team logo and uniforms caused by recent image leaks "will be offset by buying fervor as new merchandise goes on sale at the stadium immediately after the unveiling." Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill and DE Cameron Wake tonight at a free fan event prior to the first round of the NFL Draft will “model the new home-and-away uniforms, while former stars Bob Griese, Dan Marino and Jason Taylor will wear those of their eras to showcase the evolution.” The reaction thus far “seems far less vitriolic" than when the Marlins unveiled their logo and uniforms in '11 (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/25).
QUICKEN RESPONSIVE: Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert yesterday announced the team hired Mike Brown as head coach, and in Akron, Marla Ridenour writes under the header, “In Rehiring Brown, Cavaliers’ Dan Gilbert Falls On His Sword.” Gilbert's decision in '10 to fire Brown was "a desperate attempt to keep" then-free agent F LeBron James. Gilbert yesterday said, “Yeah, it was a mistake. For sure it was a mistake. In hindsight it was a mistake.” Ridenhour writes Gilbert's comment was “a stunning admission." He was “expected to express some regret as he reintroduced Brown as the replacement for Byron Scott,” but even those who “have spent time around Gilbert were surprised at how far he went" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 4/25).
MUSIC CITY MIGHT: A Nashville TENNESSEAN editorial states the Predators’ success over the last 10 years “reflects the consistent leadership” of coach Barry Trotz and GM David Poile. Ownership's “commitment to those two is rare, but it has been rewarded with the Predators becoming the fourth most consistent franchise in the Western Conference.” When fans “turn out for a losing team, when their ardor is undiminished, we know that hockey has found a home” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 4/25).
