Jackson asks about purchasing Twins
11/04/2005
MINNEAPOLIS -- It was learned Friday that Hall of Fame slugger Reggie Jackson inquired about the possibility of purchasing the Minnesota Twins.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Friday that Jackson was the head of an investment group with Las Vegas ties and placed telephone calls to the Twins last month.
"I did make an inquiry, and I wanted to show an interest," Jackson told the newspaper. "I know they've got some issues with stadiums, etc., I've heard the [Pohlad] family might consider selling the team, and I wanted to be first on the list to inquire."
Twins executives informed the 59-year-old Jackson, who hit 563 home runs in a 21-season playing career and won multiple World Series with the A's and Yankees, that the club wasn't for sale.
"The bottom line is we got a phone call. It was an unsolicited phone call," Twins president Dave St. Peter told MLB.com Friday afternoon. "Mr. Jackson expressed interest about buying a Major League team and inquired about the Twins. He was told the team is not for sale at this time.
"He was also told the team is 100-percent committed towards the Hennepin County ballpark plan. We still hope [Gov. Tim Pawlenty] will call a special session and that we'll get a ballpark solution in Minnesota."
Twins owner Carl Pohlad put his team on the market in 2002 but has since pulled it off.
It was not known if Jackson intended to move the franchise to Las Vegas, where the Star Tribune reported he is a part-time resident. The Twins have been playing without a lease at the Metrodome since 2004 and have sought financing for a baseball-only ballpark for several years.
An agreement between the Twins and Hennepin County to use an increased sales tax to help finance a downtown Minneapolis ballpark expires at the end of 2005. Sensitive to avoid any controversy that could derail legislative approval, St. Peter made clear that the Jackson revelation did not come from the team.
"It was disappointing that it became public," St. Peter said. "We're concerned about anything that could cause confusion for the legislature or Gov. Pawlenty. We're working hard to do things right and get a Minnesota solution. It's not Mr. Jackson's fault. He just wants to buy a team. But the timing of this is not good."
The Twins have remained in contact with Pawlenty's office about the possiblity of a special legislative session, which is needed to approve the county's tax levy.
"We continue to be engaged and hopeful," St. Peter said. "We certainly understand the territory we're in. We have not given up."
Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/
MINNEAPOLIS -- It was learned Friday that Hall of Fame slugger Reggie Jackson inquired about the possibility of purchasing the Minnesota Twins.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Friday that Jackson was the head of an investment group with Las Vegas ties and placed telephone calls to the Twins last month.
"I did make an inquiry, and I wanted to show an interest," Jackson told the newspaper. "I know they've got some issues with stadiums, etc., I've heard the [Pohlad] family might consider selling the team, and I wanted to be first on the list to inquire."
Twins executives informed the 59-year-old Jackson, who hit 563 home runs in a 21-season playing career and won multiple World Series with the A's and Yankees, that the club wasn't for sale.
"The bottom line is we got a phone call. It was an unsolicited phone call," Twins president Dave St. Peter told MLB.com Friday afternoon. "Mr. Jackson expressed interest about buying a Major League team and inquired about the Twins. He was told the team is not for sale at this time.
"He was also told the team is 100-percent committed towards the Hennepin County ballpark plan. We still hope [Gov. Tim Pawlenty] will call a special session and that we'll get a ballpark solution in Minnesota."
Twins owner Carl Pohlad put his team on the market in 2002 but has since pulled it off.
It was not known if Jackson intended to move the franchise to Las Vegas, where the Star Tribune reported he is a part-time resident. The Twins have been playing without a lease at the Metrodome since 2004 and have sought financing for a baseball-only ballpark for several years.
An agreement between the Twins and Hennepin County to use an increased sales tax to help finance a downtown Minneapolis ballpark expires at the end of 2005. Sensitive to avoid any controversy that could derail legislative approval, St. Peter made clear that the Jackson revelation did not come from the team.
"It was disappointing that it became public," St. Peter said. "We're concerned about anything that could cause confusion for the legislature or Gov. Pawlenty. We're working hard to do things right and get a Minnesota solution. It's not Mr. Jackson's fault. He just wants to buy a team. But the timing of this is not good."
The Twins have remained in contact with Pawlenty's office about the possiblity of a special legislative session, which is needed to approve the county's tax levy.
"We continue to be engaged and hopeful," St. Peter said. "We certainly understand the territory we're in. We have not given up."
Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/
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