In Boston, Ben Volin reports the Patriots "have not been able to find a date that works" for a White House visit to celebrate their Super Bowl LIII win. A team spokesperson said that the Patriots and White House have been "trading dates throughout April and May for the team to be honored, but one of the two sides has had a conflict every time." The Patriots have "usually visited the White House at this point in the spring after a Super Bowl victory" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/10). Meanwhile, Patriots S Devin McCourty, who did not attend the team's visit after winning Super Bowl LI, has said that he would "once again be among the missing" for this next visit (BOSTON HERALD, 5/10).
IF YOU MOVE IT, THEY WILL COME: THE ATHLETIC's Paul Tenorio noted just 6,074 fans showed up to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill., for Revolution-Fire on Wednesday, a "reminder that the long-term growth of the Fire was always going to be limited by a suburban stadium so far from Chicago proper." With the team now "moving downtown, the Fire will get a chance to build a larger and more sustainable fan base." The team will have an "opportunity to re-introduce itself to a market where it has little to no penetration, and to open itself up to a large millennial population that never has and never was going to make the trek out to Bridgeview for games" (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/9).
WHO'S IN CONTROL? In Montreal, Stu Cowan notes the CFL has "steadfastly maintained" Alouettes Owner Robert Wetenhall "continues to own and operate" the team. However, there have been "reports the league has taken over the franchise and is looking for a new owner." An email sent to the team asking about the ownership situation received the response: "We are still owned by the Wetenhall family, nothing has changed." With training camp scheduled to open May 19, it "looks like the question 'who owns the Alouettes?' could hang over the team this season" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 5/9).
