In Buffalo, Tim Graham noted despite the fact that Sabres Owner Terry Pegula is "on the short list" of potential Bills suitors, he "would have to sell his player agency" if he wanted to buy the team. Many "have forgotten" that shortly after Pegula bought the Sabres, he "acquired an NFL player agency" by merging France AllPro Athlete Management with Ayrault Sports Agency. The firm, now called Five Star Athlete Management, represents eight players in this year's draft, which begins tomorrow. Either way, Pegula and his camp "have been coy about their intentions" regarding the Bills (BUFFALONEWS.com, 5/6).
TAKING THEIR TIME: In Detroit, Vincent Goodwill noted the Pistons "are keeping pretty quiet" as their GM search continues after the team decided not to renew President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars' contract. Aside from "using Jed Hughes of Korn Ferry to help assist with the search ... it’s been a very hush-hush and methodical search to this point." Platinum Equity Partner Mark Barnhill, who is Pistons Owner Tom Gores' "right-hand man," on Monday "said as much." Barnhill during an appearance on Detroit-based WMGC-FM said it is possible the Pistons will not have someone "in place by the June 26 NBA draft, although it seems unlikely the search would last another two months." The Pistons "are casting a wide net, and haven’t revealed if they’ll pick" either a numbers guy or basketball guy (DETROIT NEWS, 5/7).
SILVER MEDDLE: In Cleveland, Bud Shaw writes Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam III "clearly" has underestimated the learning curve that comes with being in the position, but that is not the "same as meddling in personnel." They "are separate and unequal deficiencies." The meddling owner who "doesn't know what he doesn't know -- and really doesn't care to find out -- is far more dangerous." Shaw: "That's not Haslam. At least it hasn't been yet" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 5/7). In Canton, Steve Doerschuk wrote Haslam "has taken the time to try to understand his marketing region." He is "plugged in to restoring the Browns to something resembling what they were long ago" (CANTON REPOSITORY, 5/5).
