In Pittsburgh, Jerry DiPaola reports Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster is "unveiling the throwback jerseys the team will wear this season, the 40th anniversary of the Steelers' 35-31 victory" against the Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII. The Steelers will "wear the alternate jerseys in their game Oct. 28" against the Browns at Heinz Field. It will be the "first of two 40-year anniversary celebrations; the Steelers won Super Bowl XIV" after the '79 season. As an alternate jersey, they will "replace the bumblebee throwbacks that featured black and gold stripes." Steelers President Art Rooney II said, "As popular as the bumblebee uniforms are, it's time to make a change. We felt it was time to throw back to the '70s and the great teams we had" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 5/31).
BIG SPENDER: Rockets GM Daryl Morey said team Owner Tilman Fertitta "green-lit the kind of payroll and enormous luxury taxes it would take to return" G Chris Paul, C Clint Capela, F Trevor Ariza, F Luc Mbah a Moute and G Gerald Green to next season's roster. In Houston, Jonathan Feigen notes keeping the rotation intact "will be expensive." Morey said, "We have an expensive team. Tilman has for sure signed off for that." Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni referenced one of the restaurants owned by Fertitta by saying, "Go out and eat a lot at Landry's" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/31).
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME: In Tampa, Christopher O'Donnell in a front-page piece wondered how much Rays attendance will change if they "move to a shiny new ballpark in Ybor City." Approximately 615,000 people, "less than one fifth of Tampa Bay's population, were estimated to live within a half-hour drive" of Tropicana Field in '10. If the Rays were to take the field today, they would "draw from a population of almost 920,000 people within a 10 mile radius." Widen that to 15 miles and the "numbers swell to 1.2 million people." Unlike Tropicana Field, "almost all of those potential fans could skip the trip across Tampa Bay and its congested bridges to catch home contests during the 162-game regular season" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 5/30)
