Heat Owner Micky Arison on Monday appeared on Dan Le Batard's WAXY-FM South Florida radio show, with Le Batard asking if the current CBA was put in place to "break up" the team's Big Three. Arison said "definitely." He also said after the '10 lockout, it was a "very emotional time" and it "affected negotiations." Arison said of his Big Three: "There were owners that felt they didn't want it to happen again. But I think it's been great for the league and I think they were wrong." He added a "lot of owners and the league office would admit" the success of the Heat "has been great for the league" ("The Dan Le Batard Show," WAXY-FM, 4/21).
SPELLBOUND: Wizards Owner Ted Leonsis on his "Ted's Take" blog wrote, "We will be at 90 percent renewals on our season tickets. I have a good feeling that we can enter next season with close to or at 10,000 season tickets per game. I am hopeful and believe we will sell out our playoff games" (TEDSTAKE.com, 4/21).
GET 'EM WHILE THEY'RE HOT: In New Jersey, John Brennan noted the "current average price" on TiqIQ.com for the Raptors-Nets First Round playoff series is now $282.51, which is up 32.3% since Thursday ($213.57). The average price for Game 3 at Barclays Center Friday is currently $264.83 -- up 60.3% since Thursday ($165.22). The current "get in" price is $93, up 220.7% since Thursday ($29) (NORTHJERSEY.com, 4/22).
KORN FED: In Detroit, Vince Ellis noted the Pistons have "retained" search firm Korn/Ferry Int'l to assist with finding a new GM. People are "accustomed to hearing about search firms when it comes to hiring Wall Street CEOs -- not GMs or coaches." But it is becoming "more and more commonplace." Korn/Ferry "helped steer the Raptors" to President of Basketball Opertions & GM Masai Ujiri (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/21).
