BALTIMORE
Bohemians to join USL in 2012
The Baltimore Bohemians will join the United Soccer Leagues’ Premier Development League as an expansion team in 2012. The team will be owned principally by Louis Angelos, the youngest son of Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos. It will play its home games at Cedar Lane Park.
CLEVELAND
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Ziggler drops the puck for Monsters alternate captain Greg Mauldin (left) and Hamilton Bulldogs alternate captain Brian Willsie.
Photo by: BEN HALL / LAKE ERIE MONSTERS
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Mustached Ziggler drops puck
Lake Erie Monsters fan “Dolph Ziggler,” current WWE U.S. Champion and Cleveland native, dropped the puck at the Monsters game Nov. 25. Ziggler (real name Nick Nemeth) donned a giveaway “Movember” mustache for the puck drop. The game was the culmination of the team’s monthlong men’s health awareness initiative.
COLUMBUS
Jackets, Subway push seats, sandwiches
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Subway are bringing back their “4 Subs, 4 Stubs” Fresh Seats offer. The purchase of four foot-long subs on one order results in a voucher redeemable for four game tickets for $5 each and a co-branded T-shirt. There are 225 Fresh Seats available for designated games on Dec. 13, Jan. 17, Jan. 19 and Feb. 21.
MESA, ARIZ.
A’s begin spring negotiations
The Oakland A’s and the city of Mesa, Ariz., entered into exclusive negotiations to host the team’s spring training operations. The exclusive window began last week and lasts through May 15.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
Vikings propose financing package
The Minnesota Vikings recently ran newspaper ads throughout Minnesota touting a new financing package for a new stadium, according to a report in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The team is proposing that $650 million in funds come from income taxes currently paid by Vikings players, visiting players and team employees, as well as sales taxes on spending by fans inside the stadium.
NEW YORK
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From left: Mark Eaton, Mike Mottau, Kyle Okposo, first team captain Ed Westfall, current captain Mark Streit, Michael Grabner, Matt Moulson and John Tavares.
Photo: NEW YORK ISLANDERS
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Islanders don new jerseys
The New York Islanders unveiled their new third jerseys at a VIP reception in their new team store powered by Reebok inside Nassau Coliseum. Corporate partners and season-ticket holders got the first look at the black jerseys, as some of the team’s top players showcased them during an Islanders Children’s Foundation event.
Yankees hold steady on most prices
More than 70 percent of New York Yankees ticket prices will remain unchanged or will be reduced for next year, including all field-level seats between the bases. All outfield field-level seats in fair territory will be reduced in price between $10 and $35. Non-obstructed bleacher seats will increase by $5.
Sheets sponsoring Barclays event
Sheets Brand Energy Strips will be the presenting sponsor of the Barclays Center Classic men’s college basketball tournament next November. Sheets will be featured in a marketing campaign that will include on-court branding as well as national television, print, Internet and in-arena signage elements.
PENSACOLA, FLA.
Blue Wahoos launch website
The Class AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos launched their official team website at BlueWahoos.com. The site features news releases, an online store for team merchandise dubbed the Bait & Tackle Team Store, and pictures of the club’s waterfront stadium under construction. The new Cincinnati Reds affiliate begins play next year.
PHILADELPHIA
Fans add touches to Phillies Mural
Fans were invited to make their mark on The Phillies Mural during a community paint day at Please Touch Museum last week. The 3,750-square-foot mural will be unveiled next summer and features more than 30 prominent players depicting historical moments for the team. Overseeing the event was Phillies Mural artist David McShane.
Lottery awarding Classic tickets
The NHL conducted a lottery in which fans registered on the league’s website for a chance to purchase two tickets to the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. The league’s annual outdoor game will feature Philadelphia taking on the New York Rangers at Citizens Bank Park on Jan. 2.
PHOENIX
Russell outfitting Semper Fidelis bowl
Russell Brands signed a deal to be the official athletic uniform and equipment supplier for the inaugural Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl high school all-star football game on Jan. 3. The game will be played at Chase Field.
PHILADELPHIA
Pirates pack for Winter Caravan
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Winter Caravan offseason tour is scheduled to visit 16 communities in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia from Dec. 13-15 to meet with fans and media. The caravan features private and public appearances by current players, coaches, broadcasters, members of the front office, and mascots the Pirate Parrot and Pirates Pierogies.
SAN DIEGO
Padres keep radio home for 2012
The San Diego Padres will return to XX 1090 AM next season after agreeing to a contract extension. The 2012 season will be the ninth straight year that 1090 AM carries Padres radio broadcasts.
Frys.com donates $1M to charities
The PGA Tour Frys.com Open awarded $1 million from tournament proceeds to a number of designated charities. The tournament in its six-year history has awarded more than $4 million. The tournament’s main beneficiary is The American Institute of Mathematics. Other beneficiaries include The First Tee of San Jose, the Northern California Golf Association and the American Cancer Society.
SPARTA, KY.
Early buyers get ‘Tireside Chat’
Customers who purchase or renew season tickets for Kentucky Speedway’s 2012 NASCAR season on or before Jan. 18 will be entered to receive one of 250 invitations for two to an exclusive “Tireside Chat” with racing legend Richard Petty. The event will be held at Belterra Casino Resort & Spa in Vevay, Ind., in early February.
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG
Bucs cutting most ticket prices
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will reduce most of their ticket prices next season, making it the team’s fourth consecutive year without a price increase. Prices will be cut for close to 80 percent of the seats at Raymond James Stadium, and more pricing options will be offered throughout the stadium. Some $35 tickets will become $30 per game, and the previously priced $17.50 youth tickets for fans 16 and under will drop to $15.
Skyview distributing East-West game
Play-by-Play Sports Properties is partnering with Skyview Networks for radio distribution and automation of the annual East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 21. The game at Tropicana Field features college seniors and NFL coaches. It will be produced by Play-by-Play and distributed by Skyview Networks to radio stations and streamed live on the TuneIn Radio app for smartphones and mobile devices.
TORONTO
MLSE no longer for sale
The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan pulled the plug on its auction process to sell Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, according to a report in The (Toronto) Globe and Mail. No reason was given for the decision. Canada’s two largest telecommunications firms, BCE and Rogers, were prepared to pay between $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion (Canadian) for the group’s 79.5 percent stake in MLSE and would have split the price down the middle.
MLSE to develop sports channel
MLSE is reportedly planning to develop a regional sports channel that would show NHL Maple Leafs, NBA Raptors and MLS Toronto FC games. Several television executives said that a Maple Leaf Sports channel could expect to get up to $1.50 (Canadian) per subscriber per month in its first contract.
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