ESPN.com's Kevin Arnovitz cited sources as saying that the Rockets have lost more than $7M in revenue so far this season from "cancelled Chinese sponsorship agreements" and $20M "overall when terminated multiyear deals are calculated" in the wake of GM Daryl Morey's Hong Kong tweet and the ensuing fallout. For Rockets G James Harden, those losses "could be considerable if no resolution is reached." A source said that Harden's endorsement with Shanghai's SPD Bank Credit Card is "imperiled" by the situation (ESPN.com, 11/12).
FOLLOW THE FISH: In Miami, Armando Salguero notes the Dolphins "led the NFL with 15 coaching fellows" as part of the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship program, in which 179 coaches participated this year. Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross "deserves recognition for this," because "too often the loud dissenting voices ... have failed to recognize what Ross has actually done with the structure of the Dolphins" since he took control of the team in '09. The Dolphins are the "only NFL team with an African-American GM and head coach" in Chris Grier and Brian Flores, but they are "merely the head of a leadership spear that is immersed in diversity" (MIAMI HERALD, 11/13).
ALL HANDS ON DECK: In Chicago, Brian Sandalow noted the Fire have "created an alumni network and are looking to hire somebody full-time to manage that group." Team President & GM Nelson Rodriguez said that he "wants the club's past to have a role in the future, and former players liked and recognized by the fans are a key part of that effort." He said, "We're trying to reach back and say 'You are part of the club. You are the club. Please join us in celebration every time we come to Soldier Field'" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/10).
