The Blue Jays are "just one approval away" from being
sold by Belgium-based Interbrew to the group led by Toronto
developer Murray Frum, according to Mike Ganter in the
TORONTO SUN. Hugo Powell, COO of Interbrew's American
interests, told the AP that the sale "is awaiting" MLB's
approval of the "one non-Toronto-based member of the
potential ownership group." Interbrew has reportedly set
the sale price at $185M. While Frum "refused comment" on
Powell's statement, Ganter notes the "main stumbling block,
however, still could be" Blue Jays CEO Paul Beeston, noting
if Beeston "accepts an offer" to become MLB's COO and leaves
the team, "that might clear the way for the sale to go
through" (TORONTO SUN, 4/25). The STAR's David Israelson
cites a "reliable source" as saying the deal is "about two
weeks away," and baseball fans "won't notice any difference
on the field or at Skydome once the ownership changes"
(TORONTO STAR, 4/25).
TOUGH TASK? STAR Columnist Dave Perkins writes on the
reports of Beeston leaving the Blue Jays under the header,
"Commissioner Beeston Would Have Tough Task." Perkins: "If
Beeston is asked, it is because he is respected by most
people in the game. He has made mistakes, sure. ... But
both sides in the never-ending baseball dispute think they
can deal with Beeston" (TORONTO STAR, 4/25).
