Post by fwp on Dec 25, 2009 7:40:09 GMT -5
www.elpasotimes.com/sports/ci_14067618
EL PASO -- The owner of the El Paso Generals is trying to sell his team, but he said Thursday that the Indoor Football League franchise will not go out of business.
Albert Smith, asked in a brief telephone interview if the team will be in El Paso next season, replied: "They will be."
The El Paso businessman declined to answer any other questions. He said he would make an announcement about the team's future Monday.
Paul Strelzin, the Generals' announcer, said Smith was looking for a buyer and that there were "three or four groups who are interested in (the franchise)."
The Generals went 12-2 in their first four-month season, which ended in August. They lost in the conference championship game to the Billings (Mont.) Outlaws.
"He is shopping around to find a buyer," Strelzin said. "His business has been down."
Brian Kennedy, director of the El Paso County Coliseum, where the Generals play, said he was working on dates for the team's coming season. "We are assisting in any way possible if there is a transfer" of ownership, he said.
Kennedy said the Generals have been good tenants, paying a deposit and "a couple of grand every night they played. They never missed a penny."
He said the business seemed profitable but that Smith might have been hurt by startup costs that included the field, equipment and uniforms.
"They have done well with attendance and sponsorships," Kennedy said. About 3,000 people attended each game, according to figures provided by the team, he said. The team's contract specifies that attendance numbers are confidential, Kennedy said.
The team's 12-2 finish last season tied it for the best record in the 19-team league.
"We've got some pretty good ballplayers we've been trying to hold on to," Strelzin said.
Chris Roberts may be reached at chrisr@elpasotimes.com; 546-6136.
EL PASO -- The owner of the El Paso Generals is trying to sell his team, but he said Thursday that the Indoor Football League franchise will not go out of business.
Albert Smith, asked in a brief telephone interview if the team will be in El Paso next season, replied: "They will be."
The El Paso businessman declined to answer any other questions. He said he would make an announcement about the team's future Monday.
Paul Strelzin, the Generals' announcer, said Smith was looking for a buyer and that there were "three or four groups who are interested in (the franchise)."
The Generals went 12-2 in their first four-month season, which ended in August. They lost in the conference championship game to the Billings (Mont.) Outlaws.
"He is shopping around to find a buyer," Strelzin said. "His business has been down."
Brian Kennedy, director of the El Paso County Coliseum, where the Generals play, said he was working on dates for the team's coming season. "We are assisting in any way possible if there is a transfer" of ownership, he said.
Kennedy said the Generals have been good tenants, paying a deposit and "a couple of grand every night they played. They never missed a penny."
He said the business seemed profitable but that Smith might have been hurt by startup costs that included the field, equipment and uniforms.
"They have done well with attendance and sponsorships," Kennedy said. About 3,000 people attended each game, according to figures provided by the team, he said. The team's contract specifies that attendance numbers are confidential, Kennedy said.
The team's 12-2 finish last season tied it for the best record in the 19-team league.
"We've got some pretty good ballplayers we've been trying to hold on to," Strelzin said.
Chris Roberts may be reached at chrisr@elpasotimes.com; 546-6136.