On Long Island, Robert Brodsky reports the Islanders have sued SMG, the team's former lease partner at Nassau Coliseum, arguing that the Pennsylvania-based company "failed to fulfill the terms of an arena sublease and owes the club" at least $1M. SMG "responded to the suit Thursday, arguing in federal court filings that the Islanders defaulted" on more than $10M in payments that "were due by July 31 -- the expiration of their lease with Nassau County to manage the Coliseum" (NEWSDAY, 8/21).
IN REAL LIFE: In Salt Lake City, Gordon Monson writes Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen is "trashing" the team. Monson: "It makes no sense for him to do that. But he's doing it, nonetheless. God knows why." People within the organization said that Hansen is "tearing his franchise to shreds because, as a real estate mogul and a relative novice to the sports-ownership world, he wants to do it his way." That is a "big reason former coach Jason Kreis left, the reason former general manager Garth Lagerwey left, and, now, the reason team president Bill Manning left." Hansen's ego is "behind the wheel" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 8/21).
LINE CHANGE: In Toronto, Lance Hornsby wrote the Maple Leafs' plan under President Brendan Shanahan, "one of the most ambitious and unorthodox remakes of an NHL team’s power and engineering grid," is nearing its completion. It is now a "50-plus masthead, including management, coaching, scouting, medical and public relations people." More than 20 of the personnel "are new to their jobs ... while a few underlings have changed assignments." But Shanahan believes that he is "laying deep groundwork" (TORONTO SUN, 8/19).
SOUL TRAIN: In Philadelphia, Ed Barkowitz reported former NFL coach Dick Vermeil is "buying a 2.5 percent stake" in the AFL Philadelphia Soul. Saints WR Marques Colston "became part of the ownership in October." There also "has been talk" that Saints G Jahri Evans, a longtime teammate of Colston's, "is next." Soul co-Owner Craig Spencer "has been looking to diminish his investment in the club." Barkowitz noted the Soul are "one of the few stable franchises" in the 28-year-old AFL, which "recently had to fold" two teams (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 8/20).
