Columbus Crew Owner Lamar Hunt signed a deal with the
Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) that
gives his Hunt Sports Group "exclusive management" of a
proposed arena and stadium in Columbus, according to Steve
Wright of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. In return, a letter of
intent states that Hunt's company would cover operating
losses during the 25-year proposed lease agreement. The
letter also makes the "assurance" that Hunt Sports Group
would give $3M a year for 25 years for "maintenance and
improvements" to the facilities. The FCCFA would also be
"guaranteed" a profit of $200,000 annually. Hunt: "We were
unsuccessful to get (NHL Commissioner) Gary Bettman to say
if we get an arena, we'll get an NHL team. (But) based on
my private conversations with the (NHL team) owners, there
is no question Columbus will get a team." The letter of
intent also says that if Hunt and his fellow investors
aren't awarded an NHL expansion team, they will use "their
best efforts" to acquire an existing team for the arena
(COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 4/11).
