This could be a good thing for us...if we aren't the only ones in the San Antonio thing, then SA can say "We don't have to offer you so much, we've still got the other teams, potentially." Thoughts?

 

http://www.ksat.com/sports/7777178/detail.html

 

Spurs Consider Buying MLB Team

Florida, Oakland, Minnesota Among Possibilities

 

POSTED: 10:00 am CST March 7, 2006

UPDATED: 10:25 am CST March 7, 2006

 

SAN ANTONIO -- The San Antonio Spurs have joined efforts to bring a Major League Baseball team to San Antonio, team officials told KSAT News on Monday.

 

The Spurs are looking at the "probability" of owning a major league team, and are not limiting their search to the Florida Marlins, which visited San Antonio in December.

 

Sources close to the negotiations said the Spurs also plan to visit with the Oakland A's and Minnesota Twins to explore the possibility of relocation.

 

"Right now the Spurs are in business besides basketball," Spurs spokesman Leo Gomez said. "We're sincere in looking at the possibility of Major League Baseball in San Antonio."

 

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who had led the county's potential negotiations with the Marlins, embraced the Spurs' plans on Monday. Wolff said he introduced the Marlins to the Spurs during a December visit by the MLB team.

 

"You've got a bird in the hand," Wolff said. "We'll work with that bird, and if anything else comes along, we'll see what happens in the future."

 

Wolff said he will present a stadium-financing plan to Marlins management this week. A report from the county's financial advisor is expected to determine what kind of investment the county can contribute to building a new stadium.

 

Wolff has proposed asking voters to extend the county's hotel-motel tax to pay for a new stadium, which could cost up to $300 million.

 

"Bottom line, Major League Baseball will do their own research, and so will the Marlins," Wolff said. "They're not going to come here if we cannot support them."

 

In a related matter, car dealership magnate B.J. "Red" McCombs was among a handful of local private investors Wolff called on recently in an effort to lure the Marlins to the Alamo City.

 

Sources told KSAT 12 News on Monday that McCombs, who used to own the Spurs, the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Vikings, may be willing to once again be at least part owner of a professional sports franchise.

 

McCombs did not return phone calls for comment.

"You've got a bird in the hand," Wolff said. "We'll work with that bird, and if anything else comes along, we'll see what happens in the future."

 

That's quite a telling comment.

Red would invest.

 

 

I can guarantee you that.

 

 

Red invested in the Spurs in the very beginning, he would defintely be on board, spending his grandkids money again.

 

 

I wouldnt be shocked to see At&T and Valero involved in this also.

Problem is Loria supposedly doesn't want to sell. MLB can always find an owner with deep pockets willing to spend on baseball in Miami, San Antonio is an option for expansion or another team like Oakland because those situations don't have a Codina or Cisneros ready to buy the team.

Only MLB doesn't want an owner in Miami (or ANYWHERE) at the expense of one of their own and their own goals.

Only MLB doesn't want an owner in Miami (or ANYWHERE) at the expense of one of their own and their own goals.

 

Then San Antonio would be just as bad as Miami under your logic.

Problem is Loria supposedly doesn't want to sell. MLB can always find an owner with deep pockets willing to spend on baseball in Miami, San Antonio is an option for expansion or another team like Oakland because those situations don't have a Codina or Cisneros ready to buy the team.

 

 

Problem is that Loria is going to have to understand that in order for any new location to come on board, he will have to sell a % of the team.

 

 

I wouldnt be shocked to see him end up with a 60% stake, it still gives him primary control and a nice % of local ownership.

 

 

Problem is from what I have read is that in Miami they dont want Loria as principle owner. I could be wrong though.

That's just my retort for those who think MLB will help. They're only involvement is to extract more from the public.

That's just my retort for those who think MLB will help. They're only involvement is to extract more from the public.

 

I agree, but wouldn't getting the local politicos into that corner help fans keep the team? DC politicos cracked on certain issues (aka money, location, TV rights, etc.) and the fans now have the Nats for what looks like long-term. The NHL negotiated with Broward County for the Panthers because the team was for sale and could be relocated and the deal got done. Dade similarly worked with Arison and the NBA to get the AmericanAirlines Arena built.

I don't think the South Florida politicians would respond to MLB pressuring them. The position of MLB is well known. It would take a credible threat of relocation to force South Florida's hand, I feel.

I wouldnt be shocked to see him end up with a 60% stake, it still gives him primary control and a nice % of local ownership.

 

Don't lambaste me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that Loria owns much more than 60% as it is. His selling any meaningful part of the team as a good faith move to a 'local' investor would bring his share precariously close to 50%.

 

Now maybe my memory is betraying me, but I really seem to remember reading this...

My research on Loria's interest: http://capefish.blogspot.com/2006/03/jeffr...-ownership.html

March 07, 2006

McCombs McInterested in McMarlins

Billionnaire Red McCombs says he is "seriously considering" investing in the Marlins if it means the club would relocate to San Antonio.

 

Uh oh. Time for Wayne Huizenga to torque up his involevement and make it a duel of incredibly unpopular sports billionaires. Could even become a reality show, who knows?

http://blogs.herald.com/random_evidence/20...bs_mcinter.html