In Miami, Armando Salguero notes Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross has been "notably absent" from training camp this season after he previously "attended the first one or two days of training camp practices" in the past. A source said that Ross has been "busy with a full calendar of engagements" managing "two or three other business ventures." Another source said that Ross has been in "regular contact with the Dolphins -- on the football as well as business side -- during his time away" (MIAMI HERALD, 8/10).
SLOW CLIMB: The Phillies may be in first place in the NL East, but Exec VP Dave Buck said that the team's season-ticket base is only "like 9,500 seats." He added, "When we were good back in '08 and '09 and 2010 and '11, we were at 24,000 to 26,000. ... It's going to take a couple years. We'll go up 2-3,000 next year. It will take time. It doesn't happen overnight" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/9).
VICTORY MARCH: THE ATHLETIC's Laurel Pfahler notes the FC Cincinnati's supporters' group march has "grown to include about 300 people on average and up to as many as 800 for especially big games" at Nippert Stadium. There are "official drummers known as 'The Knights of the Bailey,' and the chants are led by capos representing each supporters group." The Bailey, where many of the marchers sit, has been "sold out the past two years, and the team officially recognizes five supporters groups that have become the foundation of the atmosphere created by FC Cincinnati’s record-breaking crowds" (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/10).
