In Atlanta, Doug Roberson reports the NASL Atlanta Silverbacks yesterday announced that they have "ceased operations." NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson in a statement said, "Despite significant conversations with a number of interested parties, we were unable to identify a group that could lead the Silverbacks in a direction consistent with the rest of our clubs.” Roberson notes NASL "took over the Silverbacks as stewards" for the '15 season (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 1/12). The Silverbacks "joined the NASL for its inaugural season" in '11 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/12).
THIRD WHEEL: In L.A., Ben Bolch wrote these are the times when Staples Center "doesn't feel quite as hospitable to the Clippers," as their game against the Pelicans on Sunday was their second 12:30pm PT start in as many days. It is "partly the result of NBA scheduling quirks and partly the result of the Clippers having third priority for dates and times in their own home arena, behind the Kings and Lakers." Clippers coach and Senior VP/Basketball Operations Doc Rivers said, "It's not awful, but you would love to play the evening game (Sunday). I don't mind the back to back, but the smart thing would have been 12:30 (followed by) 7:30." Bolch noted the Clippers "played before the Kings on Saturday and before the Lakers on Sunday" (L.A. TIMES, 1/11).
NOT ALL ON THE SAME PAGE: The L.A. Times’ Bill Shaikin said there is a "little bit of a disconnect" between the Dodgers' fan base, which has gone 28 years without a World Series appearance, and a front office that has "come in with a lot of good ideas and asked the fans to wait a few more years for the player development really to get revitalized.” Shaikin: “A lot of the reason they haven’t gone after the high-dollar pitchers, other than trying to retain (P Zack) Greinke, is because they've got really a waiting line in their farm system.” MLB Network’s Dan O’Dowd: “It’s a real quandary for the Dodgers right now. You are only a large market, powerful club if you have payroll flexibility. If you continue to sign players to multi-million, long-term contracts, you have no payroll flexibility. Yet you're in a market where you're expected to compete, spend money and win championships right now” (“MLB Tonight,” MLB Network, 1/11).
DESERVING OF A JOB WELL DONE: In Chicago, Bruce Miles writes a contract extension for Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein "should be a no-brainer." Epstein is entering the final season of his original five-year deal, and team Chair Tom Ricketts "would bring the house down Friday night" if he announced an extension at the opening ceremonies of the team's annual fan convention (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 1/12).
