THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 13, 1995 TAG: 9510130679
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM AND LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
First, a Canadian Football League team from Shreveport, La., said it wanted to move to Hampton Roads. Now, a hometown group says it wants a CFL team.
T.J. Morgan, owner of the Hampton Roads Sharks minor league football team, on Thursday said he has assembled a group of investors who plan to apply for a CFL expansion franchise for the 1997 season.
Morgan said he is well on his way toward raising the league's $3 million expansion fee, plus another $3 million to $5 million that CFL officials say is needed for front-end expenses and potential losses.
``We would not be in this ... if we didn't think we could come up with the money,'' said Morgan, a Virginia Beach chiropractor who played football at Kempsville High and the University of Richmond.
``I can't at this time divulge who these people are, but believe me, they're there. We have everything set up and ready. We're producing a very professional presentation to present to the CFL.
``We're doing this right and involving all the right people. When we show them (CFL) what we've got, and they'll let us in, I assure you.''
The Virginian-Pilot on Thursday reported that Lonie Glieberman, who heads the Shreveport Pirates ownership group, has visited Hampton Roads business and political leaders twice in the last two months about relocating his financially ailing CFL team. Glieberman is considering moving his franchise next season to Foreman Field, Old Dominion's 25,400-seat stadium.
But his longer-range hope is for the region's cities to combine to build a larger stadium. Officials, though, have told Glieberman a new stadium is unlikely unless the CFL does something drastic, like signing a TV contract with a major network.
Morgan said he likely would play at Foreman Field, but hasn't ruled out Norfolk State University's proposed stadium, which is supposed to seat about 30,000. A completion date on that stadium hasn't been set.
``From the standpoint of access and parking,'' Morgan said, ``Norfolk State might be the better location.''
Morgan, who purchased the Sharks last winter, said he has planned all along to bring the CFL to Hampton Roads. He wanted to establish credibility, he said, by revamping the oft-troubled Sharks before trying to purchase a CFL franchise. He likely would have waited until spring to announce his CFL intentions, and a season ticket drive, he said, had not the potential Shreveport move surfaced in recent weeks.
``Then we could have done what Carolina did with its franchise,'' Morgan said. ``We'd have had a year to promote and sell tickets and to get our products into the stores.''
But after Morgan heard about the Shreveport bid about three weeks ago, ``we called an emergency meeting of our board. We didn't want to do this in midseason, but we've already done all our homework on this. We're at a fork in the road, and it was either lay down and stay with minor league football or go for the CFL,'' he said.
CFL commissioner Larry Smith said he was unaware of Morgan's effort, but said he remains hopeful the league can expand or move an existing team to Hampton Roads, the nation's largest metropolitan area without a major sports franchise.
Meanwhile, Morgan wants a league team so badly he's willing to advertise it. Literally. In an ad in The Virginian-Pilot on Thursday, Morgan proclaimed his Sharks were the ``next CFL expansion team.''
``I put that on the ad because it's been a goal of ours from day one, and it's closer to happening than people think,'' Morgan said. ``We can taste it.''
Morgan said he met last week with Art Collins, executive director of the Sports Authority of Hampton Roads, to discuss landing a CFL franchise. Collins suggested he meet Glieberman in two weeks when a group from Shreveport makes a third visit to the area.
Collins declined comment on either Morgan or Glieberman, but said the CFL likely will be a topic at the sports authority's next meeting, on Oct. 26.
``He (Collins) felt we were serious enough that we should sit down with Mr. Glieberman,'' Morgan said. ``Maybe they'll look for local ownership. I don't know. But I would want to manage the product. I feel we're capable of doing that.''
But, Morgan warned, he won't concede the area to Glieberman easily.
``We're not outsiders coming in,'' he said. ``We're insiders who know this area. Our team has been very successful. I just feel like we're the ones who can make this work.
``We deserve the first chance.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Sharks owner T.J. Morgan: ``We would not be in this ... if we didn't
think we could come up with the money''
by CNB