In Ottawa, Bruce Garrioch notes Senators' President & CEO Tom Anselmi is "baffled by talk that the team might be for sale." He said that there is "nothing to it." While there has been "no shortage of speculation" about whether Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk is "going to sell the team," Anselmi on Thursday "tried to put the talk to rest with brief comments." Anselmi said that he "didn’t want to even dignify the rumours that the Senators are going to be sold by making a comment" (OTTAWA SUN, 12/1).
BRIGHT DAYS AHEAD: In Cleveland, Kevin Kleps reports the Indians closed November will more than 13,000 full-season ticket equivalents, marking the team's "largest season-ticket base since 2008." The team is 6% ahead of their "season-ending total of 12,300 for 2017." Next season will mark "back-to-back years with at least 12,300 FSEs" after "seven consecutive seasons (2009-16) with a season-ticket base of 9,000 or fewer" (CRAINSCLEVELAND.com, 12/1).
NEW YORK BLUES: In N.Y., Paul Schwartz writes the Giants' benching of QB Eli Manning has "turned the franchise upside down and there is a walking-on-eggshells tension inside the building, and outside it as well." Giants personnel are "being instructed not to say too much" about the Manning benching, and simple questions from reporters are "getting harried answers." Giants President & CEO John Mara "makes the call," but the employees "take the flak" (N.Y. POST, 12/1). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jason Gay writes the Giants are "no different than any other business clumsily navigating the end." Departures of beloved employees are "almost always uncomfortable." Gay: "Awkward. Painful. And, from the outside, cruel" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 12/1).
