Group Wants Ted Turner To Join Bid For AOL Sports Teams
Ted Turner is talking with Turner Sports Teams CEO Terry McGuirk, Braves President Stan Kasten and former Braves Owner Bill Bartholomay about joining their bid for the Braves, Hawks and Thrashers, according to Phyllis Furman of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS, who notes the group is "expected to make an offer this week." One source said, "They're trying to get Ted on board" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/22).
NFL: Vikings Owner Red McCombs during a speech last Thursday at a country club near Ft, Worth, TX, said, "I've had two offers to sell them for a lot of money, but it's not as much as I think they're worth. And if someone were to pay me what I think they're worth, I would definitely sell" (Travis Richmond, FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/19). In Minneapolis, Kevin Seifert reports that one offer was from T'Wolves owner Glen Taylor, who reportedly offered more than $400M (STAR TRIBUNE, 4/22)....ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reported that former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr., who "has long been rumored to be interested in the Bucs," has been "polling his friends about whether he could ever be approved to return to the league," should Malcolm Glazer sell the team to buy the Dodgers. NFL execs maintain that Glazer "has not even hinted to them that he is prepared to sell his football team" (ESPN.com, 4/18). 49ers Owner John York said of the report, "I've seen some things written but have not heard anything from Eddie directly about any of it. We'll just wait and see if Eddie is really involved." York said that the 49ers would "not stand in his way" of purchasing the Bucs (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 4/22).
LEIPOLD: In Nashville, John Glennon reports Predators Owner Craig Leipold, who is looking into buying the Bucks, has "asked for a copy of the team's lease with the Bradley Center," spoken with the Bradley Center Board and "conversed with the financial group" representing Bucks Owner Herb Kohl. Leipold: "I've done some preliminary investigation to determine the economics of the team, and frankly, that's about where it is. We haven't even come up with any evaluation of the team. I'd have preferred it didn't become public because I don't know whether it will go to the next level or not." Leipold added that he has not spoken with Kohl or NBA Commissioner David Stern (TENNESSEAN, 4/22). Leipold is also "looking into buying" the AHL Admirals, who also play in the Bradley Center (TENNESSEAN, 4/22).
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