THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 10, 1995 TAG: 9511100614
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
The Sports Task Force of Hampton Roads apparently has chosen sides in the area's Canadian Football League season-ticket wars.
The task force has declined a request from the Hampton Roads Sharks to write the semi-professional team a letter identical to one sent to the Shreveport Pirates.
The letter asked for a detailed business plan from the Pirates, who hope to move to Norfolk's Foreman Field next season. The letter also expressed the group's enthusiasm and willingness to help in bringing a CFL franchise to Hampton Roads.
The letter to Pirates president Lonie Glieberman did not offer support specifically to the Pirates, but officials admit privately that it was a first step toward embracing Glieberman.
The Pirates will announce Tuesday a season-ticket drive for next season and say their goal is 15,000. The Sharks recently began a season-ticket drive for what they say will be a CFL expansion team.
The task force is an arm of the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads chambers of commerce formed to help attract sports events and franchises to the area.
Garland Payne, executive vice president of the Sharks, said he called Jeff Sias, sports coordinator for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, requesting the letter.
``The point I tried to make to Jeff Sias is that (Virginian-Pilot) coverage about the letter made it appear that the letter offered support to the Pirates,'' Payne said. ``That made the playing field unlevel for us. We're trying to keep things as level for us as it is for them.
``I asked Jeff if he could send us the same letter he sent to the Pirates. He called me back this morning and indicated he had talked to a number of people about it. They felt because we didn't have a franchise in hand, they wouldn't be on as solid ground sending one to us as they were sending one to the Pirates.
``Even though it's their decision and I respect it, I don't agree with it.''
When told of Payne's comments, Sias released a statement, then declined further comment.
``Because of our efforts, I have developed a professional relationship with Mr. Payne and can understand that he does not agree,'' Sias said. ``I can appreciate him respecting that decision. Our actions were never meant to tilt the momentum. I hope we continue to do what's best for Hampton Roads.''
Glieberman was unavailable for comment, but Pirates coach Forrest Gregg said his group will eventually win out because it has a franchise and the Sharks don't.
``This is a free country and they can do what they like,'' Gregg said of the Sharks.
``But we have a CFL franchise now. Ours is not a maybe, if, and or but. It's solid and it is here.''
Payne said his group has been concerned by media coverage that he said has focused on Glieberman at the expense of the Sharks, who are owned by former Kempsville High and University of Richmond star T.J. Morgan. He said the Sharks will continue with their season-ticket effort. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Sharks' V.P. Garland Payne: We're trying to keep things as level for
us as it is for them (Shreveport).
by CNB