THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 1, 1995 TAG: 9511010585
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: CFL: What's in it For Hampton Roads
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 163 lines
Canadian Football League commissioner Larry Smith said Tuesday that the Shreveport Pirates must decide by the end of November whether they will move to Hampton Roads next season.
That's nearly two months earlier than the time frame previously outlined by Pirates president Lonie Glieberman, who has said he expects to ask the CFL in January for permission to move.
However, Glieberman did not see the deadline as an obstacle.
``We believe we can work it with the league,'' said Glieberman, who on Monday moved into a Virginia Beach condominium. ``We're aware of the deadline and we're working with the league and the commissioner.''
Glieberman plans a season-ticket sale later this month to gauge public support: ``The key is public support. If we sell 15,000 season tickets, we'll be here.''
Smith said the league will meet in late November in Toronto, at which time all 13 franchises must commit to where they will play. However, the league had a similar deadline the last three seasons, and in each instance franchise shifts were allowed after Jan. 1.
Smith said he is enthusiastic about the possibility of Norfolk becoming a CFL city but has doubts about the Pirates using Foreman Field, the 25,400-seat stadium Glieberman has proposed as their new home.
Smith said that eight of the other 12 owners must approve the proposed move to Norfolk, and that approval won't be automatic.
``I've asked Lonie to give me a blueprint of the stadium,'' Smith said. ``We'd like to check it out and see its actual condition.
``It seems like Lonie is adhering to our process. . . . But we have some pretty nice stadiums in the league and the condition of your stadium will be an important consideration to the league.
``Norfolk has been a market we've looked at for a long time. (Baltimore Stallions owner) Jim Speros first brought Norfolk to our attention years ago.
``We think it's a great market with great potential. Eventually, it needs a more modern stadium. But it seems like it has the right demographics.''
By that he means a large population (1.6 million) and the lack of competition from professional or major-college football. Birmingham and Memphis have struggled at the gate because of nearby major colleges, while Shreveport (350,000 metro population) may have been too small for the CFL.
``What we've learned from our experience in the states is that . . . sometimes it's better to get in markets that have a strong fan base yet are less developed,'' Smith said.
Glieberman said the commissioner's deadline will not affect his season-ticket drive, which likely will start late next week.
``We had a great day today,'' said Glieberman, who took calls from listeners Tuesday morning on a radio talk show, then spent the afternoon calling on area businesses. ``We received a number of commitments from restaurants and other businesses for season tickets. Things are going well.''
Bill Haase, the team's director of football operations, is scheduled to arrive in Norfolk today. He plans to help Glieberman find a local sports consultant to lead the season-ticket sale. Glieberman said Rudy Schiffer, a consultant who was supposed to arrive last weekend, withdrew for personal reasons.
``This will only set us back a few days,'' Glieberman said.
Meanwhile, T.J. Morgan, owner of the Hampton Roads Sharks semi-pro football team, is continuing his efforts to land a CFL expansion franchise in 1997.
Morgan and other Sharks officials were in Baltimore last weekend to meet with Stallions officials.
Morgan, who previously had not named his financial backers, told The Daily Press of Newport News last weekend that businessmen John L. Gibson II of Norfolk and John B. Bernhardt of Suffolk were part of his investment group.
Bernhardt, however, said he had never heard of Morgan.
``That's the first I've heard of it,'' he said. ``I don't know him and don't know anything about it. This is absolute misinformation. There's nothing to that.''
Gibson was unavailable for comment.
Garland Payne, the Sharks executive vice president, said the two former bank executives are not members of the Sharks investment group.
``I doubt seriously that T.J. told (The Daily Press) that,'' said Payne, past president of the Norfolk Sports Club and a Norfolk insurance executive.
Morgan was unavailable for comment Tuesday.
Payne confirmed that J.I. Albrecht, former director of football operations for the Pirates, has been retained by the Sharks to help formulate their plans to land an expansion team and will be in Hampton Roads this weekend.
``We're making the necessary contacts,'' Payne said. ``We feel both our organization and our area about a year away from being ready for an expansion team.
``J.I. has agreed to come into town and help us on an advisory basis. He certainly has a lot of football knowledge.''
Albrecht, who was hired, then fired, by Glieberman, is suing Glieberman for lost wages.
CFL commissioner Smith said he has spoken with Morgan three times.
``He's also written a letter expressing interest in getting a CFL franchise,'' Smith said.
Smith implied that Glieberman will get first shot at putting a CFL franchise in Norfolk, but he would not rule out Morgan's group.
``The relocation policy is that we're supportive of our (owners),'' he said. ``In this case, if there's a credible local group ready to go, then we'd have to try to analyze the situation. But the general rule of thumb is that we're supportive of our own members.''
When asked about Morgan, Glieberman said he has repeatedly called him to request a meeting and that the phone calls have not been returned. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
WHAT YOU SAID
On Friday, The Virginian-Pilot asked readers to respond on
InfoLine to the following question:
If the CFL's Shreveport Pirates move to Hampton Roads, season
tickets are expected to cost from $175 to $215 for a 10-game
package. Would you buy one?
Through Monday night, the tally was 429 yes and 132 no.
Some of the comments:
I am 39 years old and it is high time to bring pro sports to
Hampton Roads. The NBA or the NFL could be next.
Matthew Harrell, Virginia Beach
I think having any type of pro team is a step in the right
direction, and this could be the stepping stone to the big time.
Jim Heckle, Franklin
I can't wait for this to happen. I'm ready to purchase six season
tickets.
Melvin Morrison, Norfolk
It's an interesting situation with the CFL, but I think three
years is way, way too much of a commitment for purchasing a ticket
which only guarantees you a seat over at Foreman Field.
Mark McDaniel, Virginia Beach
I think time is overdue to get another professional football team
in this area. I believe football would be the most supported sport
in the region and look forward to supporting the team.
Wayman White, Virginia Beach
Ron Rick, Virginia Beach
I was afraid of this happening. A guy brings a team in here and
instead of charging what the Tides charge or even double what the
Tides charge, they're charging three times what the Tides charge for
each ticket. Average people just cannot afford $175 to $215 for 10
games. I wanted to buy season tickets and I can't do it.
Mark Snyder, Virginia Beach
Anyone who thinks the CFL is pro sports is fooling himself. The
CFL is made up of players who can't make the NFL.
Chuck Jennings, Norfolk
I believe Hampton Roads deserves much better than a CFL team. My
impression is that the people who are rallying around this cause are
just jumping at the first thing that comes down the pike. This is a
major league area and we need a major league franchise, not some
wannabe CFL football team.
Joe Lowery, Norfolk
I would be interested in watching Canadian football because any
football is better than none. Yes I would buy a season ticket.
Paul Lundquist, Virginia Beach
I'd much rather see us spend our money on developing a major
arena to attract a marketable major league team which could actually
generate a lot of revenue, far more than the CFL could.
Mr. Gillikin, Portsmouth
No, 1,000 times.
Timmy Jones, Virginia Beach
I remember the Norfolk Neptunes and had a good time with them. If
this team coming is anything like them, I would certainly buy a
ticket.
Ruben Slate, Virginia Beach
KEYWORDS: CANADIAN FOOTBALL
by CNB