THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 15, 1995 TAG: 9511150361
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
The Canadian Football League's American experiment should come with a laugh track.
``We're here,'' Lonie Glieberman told Hampton Roads Tuesday.
Not so fast, responded Jim Speros of the Baltimore Stallions.
While Glieberman, leader of the shipwrecked Shreveport Pirates, claimed Hampton Roads as his own - ``This is our new home.'' - Speros fired back that his franchise must be consulted on any move to Hampton Roads.
Why? Because the Stallions say they control the area's territorial rights.
Who knows from territorial rights?
They don't exist, according to the league. And they definitely wouldn't supersede Glieberman's squatter's rights.
``Our reality,'' Glieberman said Tuesday morning at a press conference held at the Omni Hotel in Norfolk, ``is that we're here.''
So it seems.
Unfortunately for the credibility of the sport in the Lower 48, CFL reality sometimes resembles comic relief.
``We believe,'' Glieberman said, ``that we can bring this very large region together.''
While the CFL's American experiment threatens to break apart? What are we to make of this?
Consider what happened Tuesday, when a couple of desperate franchises manuevered for the right to play at Foreman Field.
This is like two suitors fighting a duel over Roseanne.
For now, the advantage in any turf war should go to Glieberman, who planted his flag first in Hampton Roads' sandy soil.
Tuesday, the Pirates officially began a marketing drive they hope will result in 15,000 season ticket reservations by mid-January.
For several days now, the figure 15,000 has been held up as a target. Now forget you ever heard it.
Tuesday, the goal became almost meaningless when Glieberman acknowledged that he holds no other option but to move to Hampton Roads.
Fear of Speros, who has linked up with local wanna-be owner T.J. Morgan, compelled Glieberman to commit to Hampton Roads without the guarantee of sufficient fan support.
As a result, any urgency potential ticket-buyers may have felt might all but disappear. Once Glieberman decided to make his stand, he choked off incentive for quick financial investment. The pressure is off the fans.
Glieberman did what he had to do. It's too bad, though, he didn't hinge his move to Hampton Roads on a ticket drive.
We were about to conduct a quick, painless home pregnancy test to determine this area's willingness to support a team. Now we will have to wait nine agonizing months - until the first game - to see what happens.
In the meantime, the politicians and other local officials get an opportunity to sound off. At the press conference, the movers and shakers were conspicuous by their absence.
``The people we're looking forward to joining with us,'' said Glieberman, ``are in the community.''
Maybe you've noticed by now that Lonie is not an owner who works best out of the pocket. He's a scrambler and an improviser. His demeanor suggests that, in addition to a check book, a fan of the Pirates bring a strong appetite for adventure.
``In this league,'' Glieberman said Tuesday, ``every day's a soap opera.''
A situation comedy is more like it. by CNB