While some Charlotte city officials have "resurrected
the idea" of building an uptown arena, Hornets Owner George
Shinn said he wants voters to decide the fate of an uptown
facility in a referendum, according to Alexander & Laye in
the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Shinn: "They should decide on
something of this magnitude. I like it because it's going
to get some facts out there that a lot of people don't
understand on the value of what a team brings to this
community." Yesterday, City Council members "directed the
city manager to try to negotiate a new lease" with Shinn at
the current Coliseum, as "some city officials ... say a new
lease would buy the city time to put together a new uptown
arena plan." Mayor Pat McCrory "also said it's possible the
team will be sold," and a "wealthier owner -- one who
doesn't depend on the Hornets as his main source of income
as Shinn does -- might be able to contribute more toward an
uptown arena." Shinn "reiterated" yesterday that "he'd be
willing" to sell an interest in the team, "but doesn't want
to relinquish control" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/11).
NEW PLAYER? Charlotte businessman Ricco Ray said he
would bid $45M to buy the Coliseum and the convention center
from the city. Ray, who runs nonprofit rehabilitation
programs for former prison inmates and "declined to disclose
the location of his business or the number of employees,"
said he would obtain financing for the proposal by
"telecasting sporting events from the Coliseum," but
"declined to provide details" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/11).
