In N.Y., Frank Isola notes NBA Commissioner Adam Silver yesterday "defended his decision not to discipline" Knicks Owner James Dolan for "sending an insensitive email to a fan." Silver: “Players, league executives and owners historically have not been disciplined for similar outbursts. ... That’s not the kind of behavior that traditionally commissioners have become involved in" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/11). Also in N.Y., Mike Lupica notes Silver calling Dolan the "consummate New Yorker" is as "ridiculous as the email that Dolan sent." Nobody is saying that Silver, "for show, should have given Dolan some kind of fine," but Silver also "shouldn’t have dismissed one of his owners talking to a paying customer this way." Silver really does "look as silly as Dolan by acting as if the whole thing is some sort of media creation, and writing the whole thing off to Dolan’s 'passion'" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/11).
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: In Orlando, Paul Tenorio noted MLS expansion club Orlando City SC on Saturday held an open practice, and “a few thousand fans -- short of the 12,000-plus that printed out tickets … came to watch.” Club President & Founder Phil Rawlins said, “It's amazing to see. I've not checked the records, but I'd be amazed if anybody had an open practice where (they) had 7-, 8-, 9,000 people. I don't know how many we had, but we've made a significant impact tonight and it's great to see.” Tenorio noted it was “essentially a practice-run for the fans, too” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/8).
FATHERS' FIGURE: MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal said the Padres this offseason have "shamed other clubs in either better revenue positions or comparable ones that sit around and don’t do nearly as much." However, the question for Padres GM A.J. Preller is "what happens if this doesn’t work." Rosenthal: "Does he just sit there and let it all play out, or does he admit his mistakes and act quickly to fix them?” Regardless, Preller has “energized a dormant franchise” (“Hot Stove,” MLB Network, 2/10).
WATCHMAN: EPL club Manchester City on Saturday unveiled a new matchday app for Android users for its match against Hull City. Man City became the first soccer club in the world to do so. Once the app is downloaded on a user’s Android Watch, it will notify users of key moments such as team announcements, goal alerts and other commentary related to the club (Man City).
