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IS UNITED DEAL IN JEOPARDY? NO DEAL WITH WARBURG PINCUS YET

          The "long-planned sale" of the United's operating
     rights to N.Y.-based E.M. Warburg Pincus (WP) "is in danger
     of collapsing," according to a source of Eric Fisher of the
     WASHINGTON TIMES.  Although United President Kevin Payne
     said that the sale "would likely be done" by July 31, "no
     deal is in place, and no vote is scheduled" among MLS execs
     meeting today in Columbus, "as was previously hoped."  WP
     partner Douglas Karp: "There is no transaction at this
     point.  It has seemed for some time that it would be just
     around the corner.  But there is no transaction.  I can't
     say whether or when it will happen."  Fisher adds that "it
     remains unknown exactly what the problems preventing a deal
     from being struck," as each of the principals involved
     declined to comment on that.  But "sources familiar with the
     talks" said that "two issues have emerged that have slowed
     talks," including the United and MLS "as a whole [failing]
     to generate a profit" since the league's '96 inception and
     with attendance and TV ratings "remain[ing] weak in many
     league markets, monetary concerns remain high for the
     immediate future."  Also, "several" MLS team execs "remained
     concerned over the tax liabilities of a United sale," as a
     sale "would greatly raise the value of their operating
     rights, and hence, their exposure to taxes with little
     additional revenue to help pay the bill" (WA. TIMES, 7/28).


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