Major news from the Kansas City Wizards?

Jhawkman02 · Post by **Jhawkman02** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 3:56 am

Interesting article on the KC Star website, at 2:30pm the wizards are to make an "Major" announcement which is what the wizards are calling it. This must be really important to them, since they say that Lamar Hunt himself will be in person at the interview. Lamar doesnt get out much anymore unless its the Chiefs or the Wizards are in the playoffs. This should be interesting what they announce. There was speculation that the Wizards would be relocated to another city, however rumours have since died over the summer. Lamar and MLS have personally stated that they are not moving. In addition to this the Wizards have just signed a deal to market more in Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Arkansas. Now this is just my guess but a announcement that is being called major can only be one thing, I feel that Lamar and the Wizards have worked out a stadium deal behind closed doors. Again thats just my guess.

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 9:27 am

Maybe they're moving...

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 9:46 am

I'm betting it's nothing. I hope it's a new stadium but this just smells like media hype.

Post by **staubio** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 11:28 am

A move is mostly impossible. Besides, you wouldn't announce that in Kansas City, you'd announce that in Rochester, or wherever they would go. Don't think they'll move. They are winning here and attendance numbers are strong.

If it were a soccer specific stadium announcement, my guess that it would be only the beginning of the process. It could be Lamar saying "make me an offer" from the different cities in the metro. No way he has a complete plan together that hasn't been leaked. However, speculation from several people "in the know" is looking toward a SSS. The only thing I've heard it Lenexa.

It seems like MLS is making this rather Lamar Hunt centric, though, so it could be him selling the team or officially handing it over to Clark Hunt -- or something like that.

We'll probably get a World Cup qualifier in KC next year, but Lamar wouldn't show up to pimp that. We also signed a big promotional deal with soccer associations in neighboring states, but this is old news. Supposedly this is something that Lamar wants to come from his mouth first, so we'll see.

I'd say it is more than nothing, though.

Caycee · Post by **Caycee** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 2:49 pm

Any word on the "major news?"

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 2:59 pm

30 minutes.

Caycee · Post by **Caycee** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 3:02 pm

Perfect timing KCP too bad I'm on my lunch break and do not have internet access at work.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 3:40 pm

Lamar is putting the team up for sale. If nobody in KC steps up, team will leave.

Post by **dangerboy** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 3:47 pm

Any likely buyers? The Royals couldn't find a local buyer after trying for years, but a soccer franchise probably won't be as expensive.

Is this Lamar's "Fuck You" for the defeat of Bistate 2?

Post by **chrizow** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 3:56 pm

maybe he just wants to free up some cash flow to put a new NBA team in the Sprint Center.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 3:57 pm

$10M for the franchise. About $30M for a new stadium (that any owner group should probably look seriously at it)

KCN · Post by **KCN** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 4:47 pm

dangerboy wrote:Is this Lamar's "Fuck You" for the defeat of Bistate 2?

Reading between the lines of that press release....yes.

KansasCityCraka · Post by **KansasCityCraka** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 4:57 pm

Does this mean that the wizards could leave KC, or will lamar only sell to someone who keep them in KC.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:00 pm

At this point I would bet on the Wiz leaving.

KCN...that's how I read that too.

ShowME · Post by **ShowME** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:34 pm

Good old Lamar Hunt. The coming years in KC will be real interesting. The next card he pull's out of his hat will be a completely renovated Arrowhead or new stadium or the Chiefs leave. I don't know if I'm just getting old or getting wiser but I'm of the opinion if an owner such as Lamar can't contribute at least 50% for there own cause then screw you. The guy is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Is it really necessary to fleece the taxpayers of KC so you can make another dime?

AllThingsKC · Post by **AllThingsKC** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 7:11 pm

I hope the next owner of the Wizards is the kind of owner that KC hasn't seen since the days of Ewing Kauffman....I hope they get an owner who CARES!