Facundo Bacardi, who is expected to submit a formal bid
for the Royals tomorrow, "wants nothing more than to see the
Royals thrive in the town where they originated," according
to Steve Rock of the K.C. STAR. Bacardi: "I have absolutely
no desire to move the Kansas City Royals anywhere. The
Royals will be in Kansas City as long as I'm with them."
Bacardi added that the team made it "very clear" that moving
the club "would translate into substantial financial
penalties," perhaps "hundreds of millions of dollars."
Bacardi realizes he is "something of a long shot" to buy the
team, as Royals CEO David Glass is considered a favorite of
MLB. But Bacardi said that he will lobby local business
leaders to find some investors to boost his group. Bacardi
and his fiancee "are prepared to secure a residence" in K.C.
if he is selected as the club's owner. Bacardi, on the
Royals: "The Royals could probably advertise a bit more.
They could definitely sell more season tickets." Bacardi
said that he would not be willing to absorb major financial
losses every season. Bacardi: "If I need to sustain a small
loss, I would consider it" (K.C. STAR, 2/23).
DO I HEAR A FOURTH? In a sidebar, Rock writes that the
number of Royals bidders "probably won't be limited to" the
three publicly known, as sources reported that "one
additional bidder, or more, could submit a proposal" in
addition to those of Glass, Bacardi and Miles Prentice (K.C.
STAR, 2/23). But K.C. STAR columnist Jeffrey Flanagan
writes that "it really doesn't matter who, other than David
Glass, makes a bid on the Royals." Flanagan: "Make no
mistake. [MLB] isn't going to tolerate any recommendation
from the Royals other than Glass" (K.C. STAR, 2/23).
