Zero
11-12-2005, 10:46 AM
Checketts drops bid for Blues, source says
By Jeremy Rutherford (jrutherford@<hidden>)
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Nov. 12 2005
John Davidson, the NHL's lead television announcer for the Outdoor Life
Network, will report on his radio show today that Dave Checketts has withdrawn
his offer to buy the Blues and the Savvis Center lease.
Blues owners Bill and Nancy Laurie had been in exclusive negotiations with
Checketts' group, Sports Capital Partners, for the past six weeks. But a snag
in the talks - reported to be the Blues' asking price of $150 million, which
Checketts initially accepted - has curbed his interest.
"Negotiations are from their point of view not in tune (with the Blues)," said
Davidson, whose career crossed paths with Checketts when he was the New York
Rangers' TV analyst for the MSG Network and Checketts was the CEO of Madison
Square Garden.
A Blues source told the Post-Dispatch on Friday that Checketts' group had not
notified the team of a decision to withdraw its offer. Blues President Mark
Sauer would not comment Friday night.
"As consistent with our policy, we have nothing to talk about during the
exclusive period with Dave Checketts," Sauer said. "And work continues in
confidence."
The Blues and Sports Capital Partners have been negotiating exclusively since
Sept. 28, when Checketts made a $150 million offer for the hockey team and the
lease. The sides agreed to a 30-day letter of intent, which gave Checketts
exclusive negotiating rights.
That 30-day window closed at the end of October; however, Sauer said then that
the Lauries were continuing to negotiate exclusively with Checketts.
Speculation had surfaced early this week that Sports Capital Partners might
pull out of the negotiations. According to a source, Checketts believes that
his $150 million bid is too much for the Blues, who have gotten off to a
horrendous start. The club is 2-11-3.
A decision by Checketts to back out would open the door for several local
groups that were interested in buying the Blues before the team began
negotiating exclusively with Sports Capital Partners.
On Friday, a source close to Michael Shanahan Jr. said that he would have
renewed interest; however the Lauries' asking price is still much too high, the
source said.
Tony Sansone, of the Sansone Group, who made a bid of nearly $140 million in
September, could be a player.
And Shaun Hayes, president of National City Bank, who made an offer of $100
million, also is expected to jump back in the mix.
By Jeremy Rutherford (jrutherford@<hidden>)
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Nov. 12 2005
John Davidson, the NHL's lead television announcer for the Outdoor Life
Network, will report on his radio show today that Dave Checketts has withdrawn
his offer to buy the Blues and the Savvis Center lease.
Blues owners Bill and Nancy Laurie had been in exclusive negotiations with
Checketts' group, Sports Capital Partners, for the past six weeks. But a snag
in the talks - reported to be the Blues' asking price of $150 million, which
Checketts initially accepted - has curbed his interest.
"Negotiations are from their point of view not in tune (with the Blues)," said
Davidson, whose career crossed paths with Checketts when he was the New York
Rangers' TV analyst for the MSG Network and Checketts was the CEO of Madison
Square Garden.
A Blues source told the Post-Dispatch on Friday that Checketts' group had not
notified the team of a decision to withdraw its offer. Blues President Mark
Sauer would not comment Friday night.
"As consistent with our policy, we have nothing to talk about during the
exclusive period with Dave Checketts," Sauer said. "And work continues in
confidence."
The Blues and Sports Capital Partners have been negotiating exclusively since
Sept. 28, when Checketts made a $150 million offer for the hockey team and the
lease. The sides agreed to a 30-day letter of intent, which gave Checketts
exclusive negotiating rights.
That 30-day window closed at the end of October; however, Sauer said then that
the Lauries were continuing to negotiate exclusively with Checketts.
Speculation had surfaced early this week that Sports Capital Partners might
pull out of the negotiations. According to a source, Checketts believes that
his $150 million bid is too much for the Blues, who have gotten off to a
horrendous start. The club is 2-11-3.
A decision by Checketts to back out would open the door for several local
groups that were interested in buying the Blues before the team began
negotiating exclusively with Sports Capital Partners.
On Friday, a source close to Michael Shanahan Jr. said that he would have
renewed interest; however the Lauries' asking price is still much too high, the
source said.
Tony Sansone, of the Sansone Group, who made a bid of nearly $140 million in
September, could be a player.
And Shaun Hayes, president of National City Bank, who made an offer of $100
million, also is expected to jump back in the mix.