Franchise Notes

In St. Louis, Jeremy Rutherford reported the Blues appear "headed back toward stable ground" after losing money last season due in part to a 55.1% increase in attendance for the team's first 16 home games this season. When asked if the team will be in the black financially, Blues Owner Dave Checketts said the club is "in much better position" than a couple years ago. Checketts: "It doesn't mean that we're going to make money. I'm not trying to make a lot of money; I just don't want to lost money. We'll lose this year, but we cut the losses way down. We're digging hard for corporate support. If we can get some support that way, we can get to break-even. If all goes well, next year will be the break-even point" ( ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/13 ). COLTS : ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Colts coach Tony Dungy will make a decision on his future "when the Colts playoff run is over, but [Colts Owner Jim] Irsay wants him to usher the team into his new Lucas Oil Stadium for the '08 season." Irsay told Dungy he can take "three or four months away in the off-season, because there is a structure in place, and that he'll make his private jet available to take Dungy" to fly back and forth to Tampa, where his son is enrolled in high school ( "Sunday NFL Countdown," ESPN, 1/12 ). RAPTORS: In Toronto, Doug Smith reports that the prospect of having a Raptors-owned and operated NBA D-League team in Southern Ontario is "gaining even more traction" with Raptors President & GM Bryan Colangelo. Citing other NBA franchises with ownership stakes in D-League clubs, Colangelo said, "We're exploring possible involvement similar to what you see in Los Angeles and San Antonio" ( TORONTO STAR, 1/15 ).

Colts Owner Hoping Dungy Stays On To Usher Team Into New Stadium