In Winston-Salem, John Hinton in a front-page piece reports Rockets G Chris Paul will "become a minority owner" of the Single-A Carolina League Winston-Salem Dash. Paul, a native of the city, "declined to say what percentage of the Dash he would own or how much of an investment he’s making into the team." Dash Chair & Managing Partner Billy Prim said that Paul and team officials have "talked about Paul acquiring an ownership share of the team for several years." Paul said that he "isn't buying shares from any current member of the Dash ownership group." He added that his investment in the Dash is "part of the team's plan to raise money 'to do more things'" (WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 4/11).
PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS? In Memphis, Geoff Calkins reported the Triple-A PCL Memphis Redbirds last night offered fans a chance to watch their game against the Omaha Storm Chasers and meet new Memphis men's basketball coach Penny Hardaway for "just a penny a ticket." Redbirds Dir of Media & PR Michael Schroeder said, "We were going to restrict it to certain sections. But the response was overwhelming." The Redbirds "sold 5,900 tickets for a penny" in just 48 hours (COMMERCIALAPPEAL.com, 4/10).
NO MANIA HERE: In New York, Rob Centorani noted the "dreary and cold" weather throughout the Double-A Eastern League Binghamton Rumble Ponies opening homestand could be one reason why fans have not come to see the team's newest addition, Tim Tebow. He was "supposed to create a stir in these parts," but fans "haven’t come" so far. After a "decent turnout for the opener," it has been "beyond paltry for the last three games." In a ballpark that "seats around 6,000, hundreds have attended." Maybe folks around here "aren’t all that interested in Tebow" (Binghamton PRESS & SUN-BULLETIN, 4/10).
