Interbrew SA, the Belgian Brewery that bought the Blue Jays,
Argos and 42% of the SkyDome last year, is planning to keep "a
significant share" of sports ownership while finding additional,
local partners. According to the TORONTO STAR's Jim Byers, when
Interbrew took over Labatt, officials said they would sell the
entire sports portfolio. And while the company is still looking
for partners, it now intends to keep a share in its sports
franchises. Interbrew Dir Allan Chapin: "We intend to stay in
the business, and we intend to reduce our interest in the
business, but we're looking at people to take part of that
interest" (TORONTO STAR, 4/16.) GLOBE & MAIL columnist Stephen
Brunt writes Chapin's press conference finally "put a human face
on the Belgian colossus" and speculates the stadium business
"must be more attractive" than Interbrew once thought.
Responding to Chapin's remark that "there are opportunities" at
SkyDome for other sports," Brunt writes, "He's either pumped up
about the possibilities of Major League Soccer or he thinks the
National Football League is coming. In 1996, soccer's a much
better bet" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/16).