CSNBAYAREA.com's Scott Bair wrote of the Raiders retaining coach Dennis Allen for '14, "Why it took owner Mark Davis a week to acknowledge something he claimed to have always known is curious, but continuity was his best available option heading into an all-important transition from 'deconstruction' to 'reconstruction.'" The team's actions will tell if its "steadfast commitment to a long-term plan remains intact." While GM Reggie McKenzie "hasn't put together a top-flight roster" in his current role, the hierarchy remains because Davis "trusts McKenzie and McKenzie trusts Allen." However, it remains "uncertain how Davis feels about his head coach" (CSNBAYAREA.com, 1/8).
KICK IT UP A NOTCH: NBCSPORTS.com's Richard Farley reported the NASL Atlanta Silverbacks are expanding the role of Technical Dir Eric Wynalda, giving him "control of everything from the technical director's office to the training ground and sidelines." Wynalda also is an analyst with FS1, and "whenever he's not fulfilling that deal in California, he'll be with Atlanta." Wynalda, who has "long coveted a job in MLS, gets to flash his coaching potential to whatever extent his Fox contract allows" (NBCSPORTS.com, 1/7).
RIGHT ON TARGET: In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman reported the Twins "have renewed" more than 85% of their '13 season tickets and "expect to surpass 17,000 season ticket equivalents" in '14. The team's season-ticket sales in '13 were 19,000 (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/5).
