THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 18, 1996 TAG: 9610180727
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: FROM STAFF, WIRE REPORTS
LENGTH: 60 lines
George Shinn, owner of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, hinted in an interview with a North Carolina newspaper that he's more inclined to put an NHL expansion franchise in Raleigh rather than Hampton Roads.
The Virginian-Pilot reported Wednesday that Shinn has been to Hampton Roads twice and also met with officials in Raleigh for initial discussions about an NHL expansion franchise.
Shinn, a former Raleigh resident, told the Raleigh News & Observer: ``I love the (Raleigh) market. The demographics are superb.
``If I did come in, it would be as a majority owner with one thing in mind: Get it done. And I'd call it Raleigh's team, not Carolina's team.
``I'm in the business of professional sports, and if something looks good and the market is right, sure, I'd be interested.''
Shinn's discussions in Hampton Roads - at the Founders Inn in Virginia Beach last June and last week in downtown Norfolk - marked the first time a well-heeled, established franchise owner has spoken seriously with the region's officials about putting a major sports franchise in Hampton Roads.
Hampton Roads, with 1.6 million residents, is the nation's largest without a major sports franchise.
The Raleigh group pushing the Raleigh bid has hired Max Muhleman, a pro sports marketing consultant in Charlotte, to help it prepare a formal presentation to NHL officials Nov. 13-14 in New York. His firm, Muhleman Marketing, helped direct the expansion drives for the Hornets and the Carolina Panthers, and also secured the Houston Oilers' impending relocation to Nashville, Tenn.
Hampton Roads has not begun a formal effort to obtain an NHL franchise. Until Shinn began discussions with regional leaders last spring, Hampton Roads had focused on an NBA franchise.
Shinn, who owned the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks of the World League of American Football before the team folded after one year, said he is not trying to start a war between the two areas.
``Both markets are superb,'' Shinn said. ``In terms of raw numbers, population, there are more in Virginia. But when you talk about demographics, income, corporate support - it's much better in Raleigh.
``I'm not trying to play them off against each other. But I'm a businessman, and the bottom line is the bottom line.''
Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim, who leads the region's effort to obtain a major sports franchise, has been in contact with Shinn this week and expects to speak with him again soon.
When told of Shinn's comments, Fraim said: ``We've never had any true understanding with Mr. Shinn and he's certainly free to act in his best interest.''
Commissioner Gary Bettman has said a decision on an immediate expansion could be made at the league's next Board of Governors meeting Dec. 14-15 in Phoenix. Hampton Roads officials have said they expect to wait for an anticipated second wave, meaning hockey is at least four years away.
Raleigh and North Carolina State University say they will build a 20,000-seat arena at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. Hampton Roads officials, meantime, have squabbled since January over hiring a consultant to do an arena study. MEMO: Staff writer Harry Minium contributed to this story. by CNB