In Indianapolis, Mike Chappell notes the Colts plan to "replace the large picture" of former S Antoine Bethea "hanging on the outside wall" on the south side of Lucas Oil Stadium with one of QB Andrew Luck. Bethea as a free agent signed with the 49ers, and the banner transition is "expected to take place within the next month." The Colts have "prepared for the switcheroo by affixing a Thanks for the Memories! banner on Bethea's mural." The franchise has "made a practice of placing murals of top players on opposite sides of Lucas Oil Stadium." The north side of the stadium "features pictures" of WR Reggie Wayne and DE Robert Mathis. Colts K Adam Vinatieri is depicted on the south side along with Bethea (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 3/19).
THE NAME GAME: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Chris Herring reported the Knicks are "letting fans help pick the name" of their new NBA D-League team in Westchester. It appears the franchise has "already seriously considered a few names of its own." According to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, the D-League has "filed for ownership of five potential names: The New York Plainsmen, the New York Hutch, the New York 914s, the New York Empire, and the New York 'Bockers." The Knicks "weren't misleading fans about their involvement in the naming process." The name-submission form on the D-League team's website "has been clear: 'We have a few ideas, but we want to hear yours as well'" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/18).
NATIONAL TREASURE: In DC, Dan Steinberg wrote for Nationals' season-ticket holders, one of the "biggest incentives for renewing your seats this season was 'e-cash' bonuses, part of the team’s new electronic-everything approach for plan holders." Some ticket holders are "receiving thousands of dollars of bonus e-cash," and the "smallest amount anyone is receiving is $100." E-cash can be used "at any concession or retail location inside Nationals Park." There will be "e-cash-only lines, meant to ease congestion, in which fans will just need to swipe their card over a reader to pay for their items" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/19).
