Dallas-based investment firm Hicks Muse Tate & Furst,
headed by Rangers/Stars Owner Tom Hicks, "is forming a
partnership" with N.Y.-based Muller Sports Group to "invest
in sports-related businesses," according to the FT. WORTH
STAR-TELEGRAM. The firm's investments have not yet
"targeted sports enterprises," but it said it expects "to
invest in a wide-range of sports-related businesses" (FT.
WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 2/12). BRANDWEEK's Terry Lefton writes
that with the deal, "look for Hicks Muse to build a South
American version of the regional sports broadcasting empire
it has assembled in the Southwest" (BRANDWEEK, 2/15 issue).
HICKS' TALKS NEAR AN END: Also in Ft. Worth, David
Markiewicz reports that Hicks "will decide in the next two
or three weeks whether to team" with Fox Sports Net or ESPN
on a new RSN. Hicks: "We've been actively in discussions
for six months, and its about to run its course." The
Rangers and Mavericks are "still under contract" with Fox
Sports SW, so if Hicks "pairs with ESPN, he would have to
wait until those deals expire" before bringing the teams to
the new network, but Hicks said, "We would be able to carry
the Stars next year [on ESPN]" (STAR-TELEGRAM, 2/16).
