FANRAG SPORTS' Jon Heyman reported the Derek Jeter-Bruce Sherman group looking to buy the Marlins is "moving close to a vote for possible approval." The group needs 23 of 30 owners, and sources said that with financing "appearing to be 'on track' now, the group is seen as likely to get those votes." The sources added that a vote "could come by conference call 'very soon,' ... meaning weeks, if not days." MLB sources said that the group "seems to have firmed up its financing, and a previously worrisome 'preferred equity' piece" (FANRAGSPORTS.com, 9/26).
STORM FRONT: In Raleigh, Songata Hurricanes President Don Waddell discussed the possible sale of the team to Chuck Greenberg. He said that deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars "take time, and there will be more clarity by December regarding the negotiations" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/25).
THUNDER STRUCK: In Oklahoma City, Brett Dawson notes Thunder home games had a "price boom on the secondary ticket market" immediately after the team acquired F Carmelo Anthony. SeatGeek Content Analyst Chris Leyden said that the average asking price for a home game jumped 7% "after Saturday's trade." Leyden: “It's pretty rare that we see a jump across a team's entire schedule.” Dawson notes no jump was "bigger than the home opener against the Knicks" (OKLAHOMAN, 9/27).
BUNGLE IN THE JUNGLE? In Detroit, Carlos Monarrez wrote under the header, "Detroit Lions Bungle News Of Jim Caldwell Contract Extension." Monarrez: "Who gives their NFL head coach a contract extension and then hides it from the world? ... The Detroit Lions, that’s who." Under President Rod Wood, the Lions "feel like a business more than ever." Monarrez: "Just count all stadium upgrades, the raised ticket prices, the litany of business partnerships and the corporate tents at training camp" (DETROITNEWS.com, 7/25).
