TOP OF THE MORNIN'

Brett hoping for an NHL team for the Sprint Center

If and when Kansas City ever gets close to landing a major sports tenant for the Sprint Center, George Brett hopes it’s an NHL team.

And he also wouldn’t mind being part of the ownership group.

“I’d certainly consider it,” Brett said. “It’s something I’ve thought about from time to time.

“If there was an ownership group that would be looking for a local partner, yeah, I’d consider it if we all had similar philosophies. If it’s a good investment, sure I’d be interested.”

Brett and his brother, Bobby, are owners of a junior hockey league team in Spokane, Wash., that recently won the Memorial Cup — the Stanley Cup of junior hockey. Brett also was part of a group once interested in buying the Royals.

“I love hockey,” Brett said. “Every time we have an exhibition game here, I’m there. I plan on being at the game this fall.

“Hockey is a great sport, and I think hockey would be good here.”

Of course, any talk of Brett being part of an ownership group is just conversation right now.

“Hopefully some day we can get a team,” Brett said. “I still get updated on the situation from time to time from Paul McGannon.”

McGannon is the president of NHL21, the organization trying to help bring the NHL here.

As for being the owner of a championship team in Spokane, Brett said, “It’s a bigger deal for Bobby because he lives in Spokane and he’s involved in the day-to-day operation of the team. But I went up to Canada for a couple of the playoff games a couple weeks ago. It was really a big deal. We haven’t won it since the first year we got the team back in 1991.”

MISL pulls plug

It was three years ago when the 24-year run of indoor soccer ended in Kansas City, most of it with the Major Indoor Soccer League.

Now the MISL has ceased operations as well, according to its management council.

Ah, yes, soccer: the fastest-growing sport in America.

Peña on Peña

Former Royals manager Tony Peña Sr., now a Yankees coach, is looking forward to seeing his son this weekend when the Royals travel to New York.

Then again, it always puts Tony Sr. in a tough spot.

“You really don’t know what to do,” he told The New York Times. “It’s like you have to be cold on the bench. It’s tough, because you cannot cheer for him.

“You don’t know if you want him to get a hit or make an out. It’s very, very tough.”

Tony Jr. getting a hit? Note to Royals fans: Enter sarcasm here.

To reach Jeffrey Flanagan call 816-234-4492 and leave a message or email at jflanagan@kcstar.com