Steve Story, spokesperson for the three-man trust in charge
of selling the Buccaneers, said yesterday the trust is in "active
negotiations" with three prospective buyers --Orioles Owner Peter
Angelos, Palm Beach financier Malcolm Glazer, and a group
represented by Jacksonville attorney Terry Moore. Story added
that they have not "closed the door on accepting additional
offer" (Buccaneers). This raised speculation that the trust may
continue to hold on to the team, as there are questions regarding
each ownership group. Sources told the Baltimore SUN that the
trust appears to be "focusing their efforts on the bids from
Angelos and Glazier," but that the trust has "concerns with all
the bids." Questions surround Glazer's "financing plan" and
"track record of exploring but not closing team purchases."
Angelos' bid contains "a number of contingencies," and there are
doubts if the NFL would approve him as owner or the relocation of
the team. Angelos' investment group includes fellow Orioles
partner and novelist Tom Clancy, and Angelos has said if cross-
ownership is a problem he would "allow another investor to head
the effort" (Jon Morgan, Baltimore SUN, 1/11). This morning's
St. PETERSBURG TIMES reports that all three prospective groups
have ties to Baltimore, as Malcolm Glazer and Baltimore attorney
Robert Schulman, a key investor with Terry Moore, have both tried
in the past to bring teams to Baltimore. Orlando pencil
manufacturer Gino Pala said he submitted an $150M offer to the
trust on Tuesday, but admitted that the trust would likely be
"disappointed in the bid" (Topkin & Testerman, ST. PETERSBURG
TIMES, 1/11).
