Rangers/Stars Owner Tom Hicks "has bought a nearly" 50%
stake in a mixed-use development in downtown Dallas that
Mavericks Owner Ross Perot Jr.'s Hillwood Development Corp.
"plans to build around" the American Airlines Center,
according to Robert Ingrassia of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS.
The deal "deepens financial ties" between Hicks and Perot,
who have already partnered with the city to build the new
arena. Hicks revealed yesterday that he has acquired a
49.5% interest in the proposed Victory development, which
will include apartments, stores and restaurants, through his
Southwest Sports Group. The sale price was not disclosed.
Ingrassia writes that the Victory development "will add to
Southwest Sports Realty's efforts to market land around a
major sports facility," and it is also "searching for"
development partners for 270 acres around The Ballpark in
Arlington. Meanwhile, Hicks' interest in buying the Mavs
"has waned": "I think I've reached the conclusion that two
teams is enough for me" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/14).
MORE FROM BIG D: ESPN's Ric Bucher reported "big front-
office problem" in Dallas between GM & coach Don Nelson and
President & CEO Terdema Ussery. Bucher: "There's sort of a
war going on as to who has control of the franchise. In the
midst of this, Don Nelson has said all along that Donnie
Nelson, his son, would be taking over for him as the coach
next season, but the reality is there is nothing on paper as
far as that's concerned" (ESPN, 7/13).....The Stars will
increase season-ticket prices by 4-12% next season. Stars
VP/Marketing & Promotions Jeff Cogen "estimated" the average
increase would be 8-10%. The Stars raised ticket prices
last year by 11.75% (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/14).
