Philadelphia-based Comcast-Spectacor has agreed to
purchase three MD-based Orioles minor league affiliate
franchises -- the Single A Frederick Keys, the Single A
Delmarva Shorebirds and the Double A Bowie Baysox, as well
as Excel Food Services Co. and Ballpark Services -- from
Maryland Baseball, LLC. Terms of the deal were not
disclosed. Comcast-Spectacor Ventures President Peter
Luukko said that the deal will enable the expansion of
Comcast-Spectacor, their management company, Global Spectrum
and their concession company, Ovations Food Service. The
deal is subject to approval by the Minor League Baseball and
MLB. Excel and Ballpark Services will provide concessions
and management services to all three teams, as well as to
other accounts throughout the country (Comcast-Spectacor).
PIECES FIT: Luukko, on the deal, "We're excited to be
in these communities and to start our business there." In
Philadelphia, Junji Noda writes that Comcast-Spectacor "has
been successful in minor league dealings as evidenced by"
attendance for the AHL Phantoms. Luukko: "If you look at
the whole move, it's a synergetic move for the whole
company. It really makes sense." Luukko added that the
company "has no plans to purchase any other" Philadelphia
sports teams in the near future, and "emphasized" that the
purchase of these three teams "came at the perfect time and
circumstance" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 6/15). In
Baltimore, Kent Baker writes that MD Baseball "intends to
concentrate its baseball efforts" on the new independent
Aberdeen (MD) Arsenal of the Atlantic League (SUN, 6/15).
PARENT COMPANY IN TALKS: In Philadelphia, McKee & Horn
cite a source familiar with the negotiations as saying that
Comcast-Spectacor parent company Comcast "is negotiating to
buy" Home Team Sports (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/15).