GaryMrMets
04-11-2003, 12:53 AM
Atlanta Businessman Ready to Move Team to Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Atlanta businessman Charles Vaughn says he has a plan and investors to buy a major league team and move it to Puerto Rico.
Island officials are wary of spending money to upgrading a stadium, especially since games in the island's own professional league often play to empty seats.
Vaughn says he has Puerto Rican and U.S. investors ready to make an offer to the commissioner's office to buy either the Montreal Expos or another franchise. The Expos play 22 home games in San Juan this season, starting Friday night against the New York Mets.
This Spanish-speaking island often bills itself as a bridge to Latin America, while its position as a U.S. territory would maintain any investment in U.S. dollars.
Puerto Rican officials say they're concerned about the cost of building or renovating ballpark with a capacity of 40,000 or more. Vaughn said he has talked with San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini and neighboring Carolina Mayor Jose Aponte about the possibility of renovating either city's stadium, at an estimated cost of $150-200 million.
Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Portland, Ore., are the leading bidders to get the Expos for 2004. All three areas made presentations last month to the committee evaluating the team's future.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Atlanta businessman Charles Vaughn says he has a plan and investors to buy a major league team and move it to Puerto Rico.
Island officials are wary of spending money to upgrading a stadium, especially since games in the island's own professional league often play to empty seats.
Vaughn says he has Puerto Rican and U.S. investors ready to make an offer to the commissioner's office to buy either the Montreal Expos or another franchise. The Expos play 22 home games in San Juan this season, starting Friday night against the New York Mets.
This Spanish-speaking island often bills itself as a bridge to Latin America, while its position as a U.S. territory would maintain any investment in U.S. dollars.
Puerto Rican officials say they're concerned about the cost of building or renovating ballpark with a capacity of 40,000 or more. Vaughn said he has talked with San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini and neighboring Carolina Mayor Jose Aponte about the possibility of renovating either city's stadium, at an estimated cost of $150-200 million.
Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Portland, Ore., are the leading bidders to get the Expos for 2004. All three areas made presentations last month to the committee evaluating the team's future.