Post by Canton Cougar Fan on Apr 15, 2008 15:57:48 GMT -5
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
BY Jim Thomas
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER
CANTON Joe Hoffman likely won't get a buyer from eBay, but the Canton Legends owner sounds as if he hopes to find one soon.
The team's posting on eBay — with a minimum bid of $300,000 — expires at 4:31 p.m. today. Whether it sells now or later, however, it appears that Hoffman will not be steering the ship for long.
And where that ship docks would be up to new ownership.
"It's unfortunate that I myself could not get us to the next level," Hoffman said by phone Monday evening. "Myself and my family have put a lot of effort and resources into the team. Hopefully, (a move) is not how it will end."
Hoffman said he wants the fourth-year American Indoor Football Association team to remain in town. In an e-mail sent earlier Monday, he said the future of the franchise could be determined as soon as this morning.
"We will know Tuesday a.m. where the Legends are headed or what is next for the team and ownership," Hoffman wrote. "We are very encouraged with a number of discussion(s) we have had with various groups.
"... The city and county know we're serious about getting the team situated with new owners, locations, partners, groups of investors."
As of Monday night, no one had committed to the eBay sale price. However, Hoffman's e-mail was flush with optimism.
"Although no official eBay bids were received to date, we are very encouraged by the amount of local interest generated," it stated.
"We have had a few meetings with city officials, businessmen, other interested parties. ... Our goal of course is to stay here in the Hall of Fame city where we belong."
The Legends fell to 0-4 on Saturday following a 38-35 loss to Augusta (Ga.) at Memorial Civic Center.
The team has three straight road games coming up, starting Saturday with the Huntington (W.Va.) Heroes.
Reach Repository sports writer Jim Thomas at (330) 580-8336 or e-mail: jim.thomas@cantonrep.com
www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=407774&Category=17&subCategoryID=0
BY Jim Thomas
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER
CANTON Joe Hoffman likely won't get a buyer from eBay, but the Canton Legends owner sounds as if he hopes to find one soon.
The team's posting on eBay — with a minimum bid of $300,000 — expires at 4:31 p.m. today. Whether it sells now or later, however, it appears that Hoffman will not be steering the ship for long.
And where that ship docks would be up to new ownership.
"It's unfortunate that I myself could not get us to the next level," Hoffman said by phone Monday evening. "Myself and my family have put a lot of effort and resources into the team. Hopefully, (a move) is not how it will end."
Hoffman said he wants the fourth-year American Indoor Football Association team to remain in town. In an e-mail sent earlier Monday, he said the future of the franchise could be determined as soon as this morning.
"We will know Tuesday a.m. where the Legends are headed or what is next for the team and ownership," Hoffman wrote. "We are very encouraged with a number of discussion(s) we have had with various groups.
"... The city and county know we're serious about getting the team situated with new owners, locations, partners, groups of investors."
As of Monday night, no one had committed to the eBay sale price. However, Hoffman's e-mail was flush with optimism.
"Although no official eBay bids were received to date, we are very encouraged by the amount of local interest generated," it stated.
"We have had a few meetings with city officials, businessmen, other interested parties. ... Our goal of course is to stay here in the Hall of Fame city where we belong."
The Legends fell to 0-4 on Saturday following a 38-35 loss to Augusta (Ga.) at Memorial Civic Center.
The team has three straight road games coming up, starting Saturday with the Huntington (W.Va.) Heroes.
Reach Repository sports writer Jim Thomas at (330) 580-8336 or e-mail: jim.thomas@cantonrep.com
www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=407774&Category=17&subCategoryID=0
