The Royals' board turned down George and Bobby Brett's $100M
offer to buy the team citing bad timing, according to USA TODAY.
Royals President Mike Herman said it would be better to sell when
there is a signed labor contract, the team's payroll is cut and
there is a positive cash flow -- probably in two years. He
added, "When the time is right, I hope George is one of the
investors" (USA TODAY, 1/3).... Canadiens President Ronald Corey
last week denied rumors former Nordiques President Marcel Aubut
was interested in buying part of the team. Corey: "The Molson
Companies would be really stupid to spend $230 million to build a
new arena if they were talking of selling the team" (CP/VANCOUVER
PROVINCE, 12/27)....Raptors GM Isiah Thomas has doubled his stake
in the team by exercising an option to add an additional 4.5% to
his current 4.5% stake (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 12/27)....Thomas
Hicks has formally signed a deal to become owner of the Stars.
Hicks said the deal took time to complete because of legal
paperwork (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 12/24)....Yankees Owner
George Steinbrenner fired Media Relations Dir Rob Butcher because
he went home for Christmas rather than wait on David Cone's
decision to sign with the team. Butcher: "I rolled the dice and
lost" (Joel Sherman, N.Y. POST, 12/23)....Sources say Panthers
Owner Wayne Huizenga has received three firm offers for the team
from Nashville, Oklahoma City and Portland, according to the
TENNESSEAN. Gaylord Entertainment refused to confirm a Nashville
offer (Jeff Legwold, TENNESSEAN, 12/23).
