In Miami, Greg Cote writes it is a "big and exciting week" for the NHL Panthers, but "for all the wrong reasons." The team is "preparing to make the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft on Friday." The future is "always now" for the Panthers, but it somehow "never gets here." The team has made two playoff appearances since '96, and the drought has "left the Cats clawing for relevance in the market, languishing on the local sports landscape" behind the Heat, Dolphins, Marlins and Univ. of Miami football. Hockey could "find itself also being passed by MLS soccer if David Beckham and local government can ever agree on a stadium site" (MIAMI HERALD, 6/27).
HOUSTON, WE HAVE NO PAYROLL: SI's Ben Reiter in a cover story that examines the Astros' rebuilding efforts notes the team has "angered" the MLBPA "with its low payrolls" in recent years. Its $22M payroll on Opening Day '13 was "the lowest in the majors," while its $44M payroll this season is the league's "second lowest." Astros GM Jeff Luhnow: "We feel we’re going to have the resources we need to add the appropriate players to complement what we have to win when we need to win" (SI, 6/30 issue).
CHIEF AMONG THEM: In K.C., Jeff Rosen reported the Chiefs are "looking to alleviate game-day crunches at the tollgates by overhauling their parking policies at the Truman Sports Complex." The changes will "go into effect this season at Arrowhead Stadium" and include a "slight price hike for parking purchased with cash on game day, one-way traffic flow around the stadium itself and more communication with fans, especially season-ticket holders." Parking for Chiefs games last season cost $27, and that price "will remain the same this fall -- but only if you purchase your parking pass ahead of time. Parking passes on the day of a game will cost $30" (K.C. STAR, 6/26).
