Nashville effort gives fans hope team won't move
A group of Nashville businessmen has submitted its bid to buy the Predators, sources confirmed on Tuesday, but at least two other offers remain on the table.
The amount of the local bid is unclear, but it could provide a boost for fans hoping owner Craig Leipold sells the Predators to a group intent on keeping the team in Nashville for the foreseeable future.
The local group is led by David Freeman, chief executive officer of 36 Venture Capital, and Herb Fritch, CEO of HealthSpring Inc.
Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie earlier bid $220 million for the Predators, while California businessman William "Boots'' Del Biaggio III is believed to have bid less than $200 million.
Balsillie would seek to eventually move the team to Hamilton, Ontario. Del Biaggio has a deal to put an NHL team in Kansas City's new arena by relocation of an existing team or league expansion.
Richard Rodier, Balsillie's attorney, said Tuesday that Balsillie's bid still stands.
He praised the Nashville group's efforts, saying: "Local ownership is always preferable for a pro sports franchise and hopefully they will be successful in concluding a deal.''
Del Biaggio, reached by e-mail, had no comment. Predators spokesman Gerry Helper said the team would have no comment until a binding agreement is in place between Leipold and a prospective owner.
Freeman issued a statement asking for the community's "patience and understanding as we go through this confidential negotiation process.''
A group of Nashville businessmen has submitted its bid to buy the Predators, sources confirmed on Tuesday, but at least two other offers remain on the table.
The amount of the local bid is unclear, but it could provide a boost for fans hoping owner Craig Leipold sells the Predators to a group intent on keeping the team in Nashville for the foreseeable future.
The local group is led by David Freeman, chief executive officer of 36 Venture Capital, and Herb Fritch, CEO of HealthSpring Inc.
Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie earlier bid $220 million for the Predators, while California businessman William "Boots'' Del Biaggio III is believed to have bid less than $200 million.
Balsillie would seek to eventually move the team to Hamilton, Ontario. Del Biaggio has a deal to put an NHL team in Kansas City's new arena by relocation of an existing team or league expansion.
Richard Rodier, Balsillie's attorney, said Tuesday that Balsillie's bid still stands.
He praised the Nashville group's efforts, saying: "Local ownership is always preferable for a pro sports franchise and hopefully they will be successful in concluding a deal.''
Del Biaggio, reached by e-mail, had no comment. Predators spokesman Gerry Helper said the team would have no comment until a binding agreement is in place between Leipold and a prospective owner.
Freeman issued a statement asking for the community's "patience and understanding as we go through this confidential negotiation process.''
