Norton Herrick, who is heading Orlando's MLB expansion
efforts, wants to buy the Bucs and keep them in Tampa. During
his quest for an MLB franchise, Herrick has "bad-mouthed" the
Tampa Bay area. But now, Herrick, a Boca Raton developer, is
teaming with Chicago real estate investor Bruce Frey to make a
prospective bid for the Bucs. Herrick told the PALM BEACH POST
Monday that he had joined Frey and South FL real estate investor
Murray Goodman in a bid for the team. Frey and two other
investors made a reported $135M offer for the Dolphins but lost
out to Blockbuster's Wayne Huizenga. Herrick: "In Tampa, I see
some cross-marketing possibilities. I am trying to follow in my
friend Mr. Huizenga's footsteps." Herrick envisions a high-speed
train to take baseball fans from Tampa-St. Pete to Orlando to see
baseball and vice-versa for football (Testerman & Topkin, ST.
PETERSBURG TIMES, 11/22).
OWNERS SPEAK OUT: On Monday, Bucs trustees Steve Story and
Jack Donlan and Bucs GM Rich McKay were in L.A. to meet with Rams
officials. Meanwhile, In Tampa, Pay Yasinkas notes that in order
for a new owner to relocate the Bucs, 23 of 30 owners would have
to approve the move -- and many owners are supportive of staying
in Tampa. Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones: "I know that Tampa is one
of the premier places -- and let me emphasize premier places --
in the country for an NFL franchise." Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen:
"You have to show cause to move a team. At this stage, I don't
think there's any cause." Steelers President Dan Rooney, a
member of the league's expansion committee in '74 when Tampa was
selected: "It turned out to be everything we hoped it would
develop into and more" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 11/22).
