"It's not simply a hockey team. It's much more than a hockey team; it's an institution. Like all institutions, it has reponsibilities that go beyond being a hockey team in this market" – La Presse's Philippe Cantin, who is upset with the Canadiens hiring Randy Cunneyworth, the team's first coach since the '50s who cannot speak French (GLOBE & MAIL, 12/18).
"If you look at Los Angeles culture, it's very finicky. ... For Hollywood, especially young Hollywood, I think the Clippers could be the hot ticket now" – ESPN.com's Laura Lane, on the increased interest in the Clippers following the acquisition of G Chris Paul (WASHINGTON TIMES, 12/17).
"We have every expectation that we'll have 15,000 to 20,000 people at the ballgame. It's just that they will not have all purchased their tickets from the university" – Virginia Tech AD Jim Weaver, on the school having trouble selling its 17,500 ticket allotment to the Sugar Bowl (Norfolk VIRGINIAN PILOT, 12/18).
"Formula 1 will not be big in America. But Formula 1 will be in Russia for 2014, and in South Africa by 2013 even" – F1 Management Chair Bernie Ecclestone, on the expansion plans for the racing series (BBC.co.uk, 12/17).
