VIKINGS: A representative for Las Vegas businesswoman
Shruti Misra said that she has increased her bid from $180M
to $225M, including $195M in cash. The rep said that
Vikings attorney John Mooty should have received Misra's
offer Wednesday (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 6/25). Mooty
yesterday rejected Misra's latest proposal, saying it "is
still not at a level that is acceptable." A Misra rep
indicated she is reviewing a third run at the team (ST. PAUL
PIONEER PRESS, 6/26)....In St. Paul, Charley Walters cites
sources who said that Twins Owner Carl Pohlad was willing to
be a 30% investor in a bid for the Vikings if he could be
managing partner. Pohlad's partners in the bid "would
include current Vikings owners." T-Wolves Owner Glen
Taylor's group doesn't include any of the Vikings' current
owners (Charley Walters, ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 6/26).
NOTES: 76ers G Allen Iverson announced to fans at the
CoreStates Center Wednesday night that the team had drafted
Larry Hughes. In Philadelphia, Timothy Dwyer wrote, "Nice
touch. The franchise is going into the last year of his
contract, and making him the point man on the announcement
was empowering as well as good P.R." (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER,
6/25)....The NHL's Board of Governors unanimously approved
Art Williams' purchase of the Lightning yesterday. Closing
on the sale is planned Tuesday (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 6/26).
