Posted by Radiojones on February 01, 1998 at 21:09:36:
In Reply to: NEC to house ISL team posted by Graeme on February 01, 1998 at 14:06:10:
BIRMINGHAM SET TO GET ICE HOCKEY TEAM
By Ian Parkes, PA Sport
Superleague are poised to award a Birmingham franchise by the end of the month
- with American millionaire businessman Blake Cullen heading the running.
Cullen has made his name in sports in America having been assistant general
manager and vice-president during an 11-year association with Major League
baseball club, Chicago Cubs.
This was followed by 11 years helping to run the National League office of
Major League, before moving into ownership, firstly with Minor League clubs and
then until recently an eight-year spell of ice hockey's Hampton Roads Admirals
in Virginia.
Cullen had been considering a buy-out of the currently up-for-sale Sheffield
Steelers, but has decided to direct his attention on setting up a Birmingham
team at the NEC - although he faces competition from another consortium.
Superleague, however, apparently favour Cullen's proposal as he first
approached ISL about the second city franchise and his plans closely mirror
those of the owners of National Hockey League giants Los Angeles Kings, who this
week acquired the London franchise at the Docklands Arena.
Anschutz Sports Holdings are a British subsidiary of Anschutz Properties
Company, who have the majority shareholding in the Kings and two Major League
Soccer teams - Colorado Rapids and Chicago Fire.
ASH's #7million investment sees them become sole owners of the team and equal
shareholders with SMG Management in the Arena.
Cullen admits his package is similar, with his bid boosted due to the backing
of private investors eager to establish what would become Superleague's 10th
team.
Negotiations with league chief executive Ian Taylor and the NEC's owners have
been on-going for the last few months and are set to continue for the next two
to three weeks.
Superleague will hold a board meeting on February 28 when it is expected they
will make a decision on who will be Birmingham's owners, with the team to be
up-and-running for the start of the 1998 season along with London.
Speaking to PA Sport from his Virginia home, Cullen said: "I am very hopeful
Superleague will look upon my proposals favourably.
"The talks I have had with Ian Taylor have been good, but unsurprisingly he
remains neutral because there is another group who have expressed an interest in
a Birmingham team.
"Basically, it seems that whoever gets the deal done with the NEC will get
the franchise, but the discussions I've held with them have also been
promising.
"Superleague has a board meeting on February 28 when I hope they will make a
decision. I've certainly inked that on my calendar as D-Day.
"If I do get the franchise I want to get things moving as soon as possible. I
want to get the word out and to let people know we're hot.
"I can't afford to wait until May or June for an answer. There just wouldn't
be time to put together the plans for the NEC and the team."
Cullen admits his investment does not match that of London, but then the NEC
does not need to be as extensively refurbished as the Docklands Arena.
It is estimated setting up a Birmingham team would cost around #4million, and
having had opinion polls conducted in the area, knows there is the fan base to
support a side he already sees as being called the Bulldogs, or even his
favourite from when he owned Hampton, the Admirals.
end