THE ATHLETIC's Frank Isola wrote the Lakers' "expected hiring" of Tyronn Lue as coach is a "smart move." It is in the "best interests of the Lakers to listen" to LeBron James, and it is in "LeBron's best interests to make sure his voice is heard" in the organization. That "may not be the Lakers way of doing things in the past, but this is what you sign up for when LeBron decides to wear the purple and gold." James' first season in L.A. was an "unmitigated disaster." Isola: "But if you're a Lakers fan you have to be pleased that LeBron is trying to make moves that will benefit the team as a whole" (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/6).
A STRONG DRAW IN CINCY: FC Cincinnati is averaging 27,639 fans per game at Nippert Stadium through four home games in its first MLS season, which "ranks third out of 24 MLS teams." Only Atlanta United and the Sounders, "both of which play in huge NFL stadiums, are drawing more fans." FC Cincinnati VP/Ticket Sales & Service Jeff Smith "initially targeted 20,000 season tickets this year and average attendance" in the 27,000-28,000 range. Smith said that the club has sold 20,788 season tickets, and while the "average attendance is in the middle of that range, he expects it to climb" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/6).
NOT-SO-SUNNY SAN DIEGO: In Toronto, Todd Saelhof writes it "doesn't look" as if the NLL has "caught fire" in San Diego, where the Seals were one of two expansion teams added this season. For a recent Calgary Roughnecks-Seals playoff game, the crowd size "wasn't near the number that was announced -- 8,357 fans -- for their regular-season finale a week earlier." There were only about 5,005 "supporters on hand for the playoff tilt" (TORONTOSUN.com, 5/7).
