Gilbert didn't deny that he had interest but said that his organization doesn't comment on speculationNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Various community leaders in Detroit have indicated that Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert is "interested" in buying the Tigers, and some are saying that "negotiations are underway," according to a front-page piece John Gallagher of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. Asked whether he is working to buy the team, Gilbert "didn't deny it." Gilbert only said that his organization "doesn't comment on speculation." Yesterday, the Tigers "said the team is not for sale." Tigers VP/Communications Ron Colangelo said President & CEO Chris Ilitch is 100% "committed to long-term Ilitch ownership" of the team. Other sources said that they "consider such a sale improbable, but also lack firsthand knowledge" of any talks Gilbert may have had about buying the team. Talk of a possible deal "gained steam recently amid reports that Gilbert wants to sell his interests in several casinos he owns." MLB "doesn't want team owners to own casinos, so word of Gilbert's interest in selling his casinos led to speculation of a possible Tigers deal" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/27).
MOTOWN BLUES: THE ATHLETIC's Jordan Horrobin wrote there was a "noticeable drop in crowd size this season" at Comerica Park that "further emphasized where the Tigers are versus where they've been." The Tigers have played 34 games in which there "were 30,000-plus tickets sold," but "only seven of those games were at Comerica Park." Those games included Opening Day, Saturday's Blue Jays game, a pair of Red Sox games that included the return of RF J.D. Martinez, the number retirement ceremonies of Jack Morris and Alan Trammell and the 50th anniversary celebration for the '68 World Series team (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/26).
