In Dallas, Tim Cowlishaw writes the firing of Stars coach Jim Montgomery for an "act of unprofessionalism" made yesterday a "bad" day for GM Jim Nill. Fans can "applaud him for acting swiftly," and it would be "simpler to do that if more was known about what Montgomery has been accused of." But that has been "left to speculation," which "doesn't do Montgomery any favors if he is to have a coaching future in the NHL or anyplace else." Even if this is a "one-time event, it's a messy look for Nill and the Stars" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/11).
LEAVING THE NEST: TSN's Scott Mitchell noted the Blue Jays' "huge drop" in attendance "wasn't expected." Total crowds at Rogers Center fell to about 1.75 million in '19, and Blue Jays President & CEO Mark Shapiro "believes attendance levels will be about the same" in '20. Shapiro said that "the 'relatively low' season-ticket base is a 'challenge' but he also has a simple solution." He said, "Winning solves everything, and I feel like the momentum's positive. I felt like it was good by the end of the year last year" (TSN.ca, 12/10).
PAY TO WIN: In K.C., Sam McDowell cites sources as saying that Sporting KC has "reached a four-year agreement with Mexican striker Alan Pulido that will far eclipse any transfer fee that club has paid for a player." After the team did not make the playoffs in '19 for the first time in nearly a decade, Sporting KC co-Owner Mike Illig said that the club would "delve into a level of player it had never before targeted" (K.C. STAR, 12/11).
