In Charlotte, Joseph Person notes the NFL Panthers have “yet to say anything" about what direction they will go in replacing President Danny Morrison. Sources said that Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson “likely will look for someone he knows well and is comfortable with.” Person reports that person is "not expected to be his son, Mark, who was fired from the position” two weeks before the start of the ‘09 season. Finding someone Richardson is “familiar with does not necessarily mean that person will come from within the organization.” Panthers Exec Dir of Ticketing & Sponsorship Phil Youtsey "could be among a number of internal candidates," while former Panthers GM Marty Hurney, who is co-Operator for ESPN Radio 730 Charlotte, is a "darkhorse candidate to keep an eye on" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/14).
HOME TURF: The WALL STREET JOURNAL’s Jared Diamond wrote the A’s franchise is “positioning itself as a torchbearer for a city with good reason to doubt its sincerity.” As part of a new "Rooted in Oakland" ad campaign, the team "recently shot a series of commercials around the city.” Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff said, “The A’s are doubling down on their Oakland identity.” Diamond wrote this is a “stunning turnaround for an organization that hasn’t always been particularly kind to fans in Oakland.” A’s President Dave Kaval said, “The way we look at it is: The best option is Oakland” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/14).
WELL WISHES? In San Diego, Nick Canepa writes the Chargers “will be televised here and no doubt will get bigger ratings than they will in L.A.” Canepa: “I am not hoping the Judases fail in Los Angeles. I just expect them to. As a product. Unfailingly. L.A. is not fit for two NFL teams” (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/14).
