I haven't heard anything lately on the ownership/stadium front for you guys. Has anything come up recently? I know (Lamar?) Hunt wanted to purchase the team. Is that still considered a possibility? I think Dallas definitely deserves a team. Good luck.
It's like this, from what we can tell. Lamar will buy the team when a stadium deal is done if the deal includes his money. Before then, he's more interested in not being owner because he's already got two teams plus a gridiron team. I think he's to the point where he does not want to take on the overhead until the stadium is ready to break ground. then it's a no-brainer. A stadium is a moneymaker, and he can own the Burn and the control of the staduim for a few years and then sell at a profit, or keep the team. The underside is, if an ownership group came up and put cash on the table and a stadium deal in place, Lamar would probably not buy the team. It's better for everyone if that happens, then Hunt can focus on KC and not add the work of Dallas. MLS gets new money, and we don't have to share bunk beds with KC and Crewtown. it's a question of what will come first: a stadium with some of Lamar's money and therefore his ownership, or a new owner and stadium without him. Once MLS has signed a construction contract and it's time to cut a check, Lamar will get first option. Either way, the Burn will get a stadium and owner at some point before 2006. Garber's priority on expansion requires it.
So how about we all chip in some money and make a down payment to by the Burn. Then we get some big company like I don't know ATT to give us money and we'll put them on the kits. Then get more sponsors to give us some money to add to the budget to buy players off transfers. At least then we would have enough money to by a McDonalds Value meal instead of the $1.50 MLS gives us.
So what are the current rumors/movements for a stadium? I remember the McKinney proposal. As for ownership, are there any local possibilities? If I remember correctly, Hunt and Anschutz made fortunes in oil. Are there any other oil men that might be interested in pro sports? Hasn't the Mavericks owner shied away from investing in the league due to single entity?
representatives from MLS are negotiating with two to three different cities, who are operating under an information embargo, so as not to blow the real estate issue. These talks are real. Cuban has always replied with "sorry just not interested." Hicks Muse might be interested once the stadium deal is complete. There are others out there who will come out of the woodwork if there's a stadium in a great location.
Viking has the most recent news I've heard. Don't expect a stadium for 2004, but the target is actually 2006. Negotiations and political approval process require a lot of time. If you're interested in who has the money, yeah, there are a LOT of people rich enough to take on this kind of economic situation in or around the Dallas area. Here's a link to the 400 richest Americans. BTW, Anschutz is far richer than any NFL owner. Despite the economic downturn. http://www.forbes.com/2002/09/13/rich400land.html View this list by RANK and keep going. Many of the US Billionaires made their money in oil, and are somehow tied into Texas. Many of those are associated in some way shape or form to Dallas. -Tron
I hope it doesn't take that long, but by next Spring when the Frisco Roughriders are seeing good crowds for their games, it might make the McKinney City Council look west with envy in their eyes and rethink their decision.
Newest rumour has Hunt buying the team and a new stadium being built. Announcement to be made at MLS cup.
Rumours are floating around about something big to break in 30 days. But haven't we heard that before? La locura rojinegra
I hope there really is something to this. I'd hate to see the Burn join the Metros as a club mocked for continually giving the impression that a big stadium announcement is going to be made in 30 to 60 days.
the aborted McKinney deal was on the verge of reality. Metrohacks have never ever been that close. One majority vote by the city council, and it was in the ground. But now, if it's in just about any city south of McKinney, it's an EVEN BETTER deal.
Actually, Tron, the Cleveland Browns' owner Al lerner is right even with Uncle Phil in net worth. Nothing to sneeze at, because Al Lerner is actually the most powerful man in the NFL.
It looks like the league has put them together via Garbers comments the other day. Hopefully it is not more hot air or the mocking will begin.
At the Supporters Summit Garber said that the Hunts are and have been running the Burn, but that the Burn is not yet part of the Hunts' equity in the league.