In Chicago, Gordon Wittenmyer noted the NL Central "continues to get better as the Cubs continue to sit out the winter, strapped by a payroll budget cinched tight by unproductive contracts and big arbitration raises coming." Revenues certainly have "increased enough" since the '16 World Series title to "cover a sizable-enough leap in payroll" to compete for Bryce Harper or "any number of other significant free agents the Cubs have passed on so far" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/24).
LUCK OF THE DRAW: In Pittsburgh, Sean Hamill noted the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins have sold more than $25M worth of "raffle tickets to fans -- with half the proceeds going to charities, most of them in the Pittsburgh area" -- since a '13 state law "allowed major league sports teams to hold the raffles themselves at every home game." The Pirates and Penguins are now "supporting new state legislation that would allow them for the first time to sell raffle tickets outside their stadiums in the surrounding parking lots" and also let fans "buy raffle tickets using debit or credit cards" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 12/23).
WORKING TOGETHER: In Cincinnati, Paul Dehner Jr. notes a Bengals five-player leadership committee "led a season-long charge that concluded with the players giving $150K to benefit four local social justice efforts." The front office "pledged to match all money raised by players." The common thread with all four groups getting funds is a "priority on supporting improvements in education and economic advancement and community and police relations" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 12/26).
