Greg Sorbara, a former Ontario cabinet member, and
Lawrence Dale, who was VP/Business Development & General
Counsel for SkyDome from '91 until he left last month,
confirmed "that they are part of a consortium attempting to
buy" the Blue Jays, according to Tony Van Alphen of the
TORONTO STAR. Dale said that he "initiated and is leading"
the group, which has "at least" six investors, "including
two former owners" of "major" U.S. sports franchises, one of
whom "previously owned" an MLB team. Sorbara, a real estate
developer, said that he would be a minority shareholder, and
would be "putting up his own money" if the group's bid is
successful. Dale: "All I can say is that we have the
financial ability to complete a deal for the Jays and the
expertise to operate a franchise of this stature. That's
critical to the team and the fans" (TORONTO STAR, 10/23).
In Toronto, Stephen Brunt writes that the "sands seem to be
shifting" in terms of the Jays deal, and that "despite the
continuing optimistic talk from [Murray] Frum, there remain
indications that ... the proposition is a whole lot more
complicated than it first appeared" (GLOBE & MAIL, 10/23).
