Franchise Notes

Hicks Working On Deal To Buy Fellow Co-Owner's Shares In Liverpool?

The AP's Rob Harris reported English Premier League (EPL) club Liverpool co-Owner Tom Hicks is "looking to sell new shares in his sports group to raise funds to take control of the ... club by acquiring all or part" of co-Owner George Gillett's 50% stake. Sources said that JP Morgan Chase & Co. will "attempt to raise private equity through the Hicks Sports Group." Hicks could attempt to buy out Gillett's shares and personal guarantees, which were "central to [January's] refinancing of the loan used to purchase Liverpool." A financial industry exec said that buying out Gillett would cost Hicks about $300M. If Hicks could secure "sufficient funding to become the controlling owner, it would send a defiant message to fans that he will be a long-term fixture" at Liverpool (AP, 3/1). In London, Steve McManaman wrote, "It seems to me that the only way the club can move forward is through a change of ownership. ... The fact that, despite a handover in ownership and a huge injection of money, Liverpool are now worse off reveals a breakdown of trust" (London TELEGRAPH, 3/1).

PHILLY SOCCER: In Philadelphia, Jeff Gammage wrote the Philadelphia MLS expansion team is "sure to pursue an alliance with a big-name foreign team, probably in South America or Europe." The Philadelphia club also "plans to bring in world-class clubs for exhibition games to generate money and excitement." MLS Commissioner Don Garber: "Investors are able to tap into what has been an explosive market, not just in the rest of the world but here in the U.S. That's a big part of what we're selling" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 3/2). Soccer America's Ridge Mahoney, in a special to SI.com, reported iStar Financial CEO Jay Sugarman, the lead investor behind the Philadelphia franchise, and his partners will be "responsible for funding the costs of stadium construction beyond the public monies earmarked" (SI.com, 2/29).

LIONS: In Detroit, Drew Sharp wrote of complaints about the Lions increasing more than 80% of their season ticket prices an average of 18% next season, "It's a simple precept of supply and demand. If you have a market that annually sells out home games at premium prices for an outrageously bad product, you're crazy if you don't push that gullibility as far as possible. ... Experiencing NFL football in person is a choice. It's not a necessity. It's not like inflationary predicaments in which there is little to no alternative, like gasoline potentially reaching $4 a gallon by summer or your grocery bill going up every week" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 3/2).

Penguins Have Sold Out Every Home Game This Season

PENGUINS: In Pittsburgh, Shelly Anderson writes the Penguins yesterday tied a franchise record with their 34th sellout of the season. While it took 40 home games to set the previous record in '88-89 and '89-90, the Penguins are "34 for 34 in 2007-08 and formally will establish a new standard when Tampa Bay visits March 12." Meanwhile, the Penguins yesterday had a moment of silence for longtime Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope, who died Wednesday. Fans waved Terrible Towels throughout the game in Cope's memory (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 3/3).