Group's Exclusive Window To Buy Astros Closes Without Offer

McLane Maintains He Is Not Actively Seeking Sale Of Astros

The exclusive negotiating window "has closed for a group of investors seeking to buy the Astros, with team owner Drayton McLane receiving nary an offer," according to Bernardo Fallas of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. N.Y.-based investment firm Great Court Capital led the group, which also included former IBAF President Harvey Schiller and Houston-based Aspen Pipeline LP Chair & CEO Neil Leibman. McLane gave the group "30 days to come up with the asking price, believed to be upward" of $650M. Having the negotiation window expire "does not necessarily mean the parties are done talking," as the group still "could make McLane an offer." McLane "maintains he is not actively seeking to sell the team, but he said he will consider offers." McLane: "Over the years, I have been approached many times by groups interested in discussing the possible purchase of the team. And I've always been open to listening." McLane added that "any interested buyer had better have a 'substantial amount of money' handy" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 2/2).

LONE RANGER: Outgoing MLB Rangers Owner Tom Hicks said he is "glad to step out of the media limelight," but selling the team is "tough because I really wanted to have an active role." Hicks: "The realization that I was no longer going to be able to be as active as I wanted to be is just a smart business decision to take the money." Hicks said both he and MLB thought prospective Owner Chuck Greenberg and Rangers President Nolan Ryan "would be really good for keeping the momentum of the team" with fans. Hicks: "I think baseball is a sleeping giant in North Texas. We're the only large market team that doesn't regularly draw 3 million a year. We should and I think we will because this community is all about winning." Meanwhile, Hicks said the Stars will not be impacted by the sale "because they were separated from the Rangers." Hicks: "We separated the two teams financially last summer" (ESPNDALLAS.com, 2/1).