On Friday, Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy reduced the list of
potential Pirate suitors to 10, with the two or three finalists
to be determined within weeks after preliminary bids are made.
The city wants about $85M for the Pirates. According to city
government sources, the Rooney Familys -- the Steelers owner --
clearly would be the frontrunner if they made a serious bid.
Besides the Rooneys, Penguins co-owner Howard Baldwin was the
only other potential suitor mentioned by name by Murphy during
his news conference. Other bidders: Adelphia Communications
Chair John Rigas, the KBL Sports Network and Pittsburgh
businessman Jim Roddey. The city has until January 29, to find a
buyer or the Pirates can sell to the highest bidder. Larry
Lucchino, the former Orioles CEO, is also said to be interested
in the Pirates, but is now involved in a bid to buy the Padres
(PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 9/17). In Boston, Will McDonough
reports Dan Rooney says his family is not interested in the
Pirates. Rooney: "We have some stadium problems here with the
city, and we have to get those rectified. I do not want to get
involved in the baseball rules. I am dead set against cross-
ownership" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/18).
