THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 11, 1995 TAG: 9511110527
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
T.J. Morgan pulled the plug on his Canadian Football League season-ticket drive Friday, leaving Lonie Glieberman's Shreveport Pirates as the area's only apparent avenue to the CFL.
Morgan's decision to end his bid for a 1996 CFL expansion team came shortly after officials of the CFL's Baltimore Stallions informed Morgan that they are not considering a move to Hampton Roads.
Stallions business manager E.J. Narcise was quoted in published reports Friday as saying his team was considering relocating to Norfolk. Morgan, owner of the Hampton Roads Sharks semi-pro football team, was quoted as saying that the Stallions had discussed joining forces with his group.
But Friday, Narcise said that when he made those comments he was unaware that Gliberman had set up an office in Virginia Beach and was set to launch his own ticket sale.
``I had no idea they were that far along,'' Narcise said. ``Of course we would not torpedo that. I can tell you right now, just out of respect for them, we would not do anything to interfere with the Gliebermans' efforts. I was probably premature in making those comments. I was not fully aware of the depth of their efforts.''
Narcise said he and other Stallions officials have been distracted by other events, including the impending move of the NFL's Browns from Cleveland to Baltimore and a potential shift of the Stallions to Houston if the Oilers leave for Nashville, Tenn.
``Our team is in the Southern Division final Sunday, and that's been our focus,'' he said. ``We have the utmost respect for the Hampton Roads Sharks and their efforts, but we must put our CFL partners first and foremost.''
Narcise ended the conversation by saying: ``I need to get back to T.J. Morgan to explain our side.''
An hour later, Morgan canceled his season-ticket sale, which had begun only Tuesday. Morgan said he spoke with Narcise but insisted that the decision, made during a meeting of the Sharks' board of directors, had nothing to do with that conversation.
``This decision wasn't made in light of anything that happened in Baltimore,'' Morgan said. ``We just felt that proceeding wouldn't have been a good business move on our part. We will be discontinuing the season-ticket drive and will refocus our efforts to the minor-league Super Bowl we're hosting (on Dec. 16).
``What it came down to was that the timetable was too accelerated. The 1996 season is just too soon. Trying to put together an investment package is like trying to put down the foundation to a house. If it's the wrong mix, you're not going to have a good foundation.
``We had the best of intentions in our hearts and we still do. . . . I wish the Gliebermans and the Shreveport Pirates the best and hope that they do well for the sake of Hampton Roads.
``I was not necessarily bent on being the owner of the franchise. I just wanted to more sure that the franchise would be viable and community-oriented, that it would succeed and stay.''
Pirates executive vice president Bill Haase said the team is relieved that there is now only one ticket sale.
``We're glad the confusion that's been created over the last couple of weeks is now cleared,'' he said. ``We hope we can develop a relationship with T.J. Morgan. We want the opportunity to meet with him. We share the same concerns about promoting a good product and making it viable for the community.''
Added Glieberman, president of the Pirates: ``We appreciate him stepping aside to help move this forward. We look forward to sitting down with the Sharks and working together in a positive way.''
The Pirates formally kick off their season-ticket drive Tuesday. They say if they sell 15,000 tickets, they will play next season at Foreman Field.
The Pirates' fate in Hampton Roads could be decided Nov. 29 at a CFL meeting in Toronto, during which the league will take up the relocation of franchises for next season.
Other hurdles remain for the Pirates, including the negotiation of a lease with Old Dominion University, which owns Foreman Field, and persuading the city of Norfolk and perhaps other area cities to fund needed improvements to the stadium. ILLUSTRATION: [Color photos]
Sharks owner T.J. Morgan
Pirates president Lonie Glieberman
The Baltimore Stallions
by CNB