In Boston, Sean McAdam reported the Red Sox failed to sell out the "first two games of their series with the Yankees" last week, a situation that would have been "unthinkable" 10 years ago. Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy acknowledged the team is off by about 6% in ticket sales from a year ago, but is "confident that, with the team's strong start, that can soon be made up" (BOSTONSPORTSJOURNAL.com, 4/15).
HEATING UP: In Miami, Greg Cote wrote the Dolphins and Heat are the two teams competing for the "mythical title of which of our pro sports teams Owns This Town." It is "Tradition vs. Today, the Fins' 53 years of history and lore vs. the Heat's more current appeal to a fandom more diverse, more millennial." There is "no question who the better team is right now." The Dolphins are "asking you to have faith," but the Heat "deserve it" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 4/13).
UNION STRIKE? In Philadelphia, John Smallwood wrote Union fans can "still be an intimidating presence on those increasingly fewer occasions" when the Union give them a "reason to believe." But the atmosphere at Talen Energy Stadium is not as "intense as it once was." The venue is now typically "filled to around" 80% capacity. Even "The River's End," where hard-core fans like the "'Sons of Ben' convene, is now littered with empty seats" (PHILLY.com, 4/14).
