Franchise Notes
In Montreal, Herb Zurkowsky writes the Impact hiring Thierry Henry as their new manager has "created the shock" the MLS team "might have been seeking." Zurkowsky: "For 24 hours, at least, the Impact can say it won the day in Montreal." Impact President & CEO Kevin Gilmore said, "When I first came on board, I made it clear this club was a major-league team in a big sports market. We need to act that way." After the hiring was announced, not only did Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante welcome Henry's arrival on her Twitter account, but the CFL Alouettes "delayed until Friday their season-ending news conference with head coach Khari Jones and [President & CEO] Patrick Boivin, citing the 'sudden change in the Montreal sports landscape'" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 11/15).
ON THE SAME PAGE: In San Diego, Kevin Acee notes Padres Exec VP & GM A.J. Preller has been away from the team in recent weeks to scout international players and check in on minor league affiliates, but his "absence was conspicuous in what it portrayed to players and others about his relationship" with former Padres manager Andy Green and his "focus on the major league product." However, such a "vast disconnect doesn't figure to happen again." Preller said, "With the new staff I think it's important members of the front office will be there to help, be there for communication and conversation and to make sure everybody is up to speed and on the same page" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 11/15).
GOING TOO RETRO? In Dallas, Demetrio Teniente noted the Mavericks' City Edition uniforms for this season were leaked, and some fans "love how weird and '90s they are." But from the "gradient blue, the out of place lime green, and ... what appears to be, graffiti letters, these uniforms are trying way too hard to be cool." Teniente: "If you really wanted to go full '90s, give us those sweet, sweet throwbacks from those Derek Harper, Brad Davis, Roy Tarpley, and Fat Lever teams" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/14).