Sports Business Journal

September 28-October 4, 1998

by John Rofe, Staff writer

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The Portland Baseball Group believes it has an edge in its attempts to capture a Major League Baseball franchise: Renovating city's Civic Stadium would be quick and relatively inexpensive.

"Within 18 months they can have a stadium that would take 24 to 36 months to build elsewhere," said Paul Jacobs, a consultant for the Portland Baseball Group, which formally launched its drive to draw a team to the city.

Portland Baseball Group has been in contact with the Oakland A"™s, who have and Oct. 13 deadline for exercising an escape clause in their lease, and the Montreal Expos.

Johanne Heroux, Expos vice president of communications, said managing partner Claude Brochu suspended negotiations with potential buyers until his Sept. 30 deadline for securing public financing for a downtown ballpark in Montreal.

"If ever the team is for sale certainly Portland is a possibility, and he would speak to them at the appropriate time," Heroux said.

Officials for the A"™s, who would have to put the team up for sale to local buyers if they opt out of their lease, did not return telephone calls.

Jacobs and the Portland Baseball Group will also probably have to find $45 million in financing to renovate 72-year-old Civic Stadium for baseball.

At least two other groups are interested in taking over the facility. One of those "“ Portland Family Entertainment "“ wants to draw a Major League Soccer franchise as its initial anchor tenant.

The city set and Oct. 30 deadline for the proposals.

"We have to get all the segments of the community together "“ the political, the business and the grass-roots-type of effort that is needed to really see whether there's support," Jacobs said.

[This message was edited by Dodger Matt on January 08, 2001 at 05:26 PM.]