Edmonton Trapper Baseball Club Sold
October 23, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Edmonton Trappers News Release
Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Eskimo Football Club today announced the sale of the Edmonton Trapper Baseball Club franchise of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) to Round Rock Baseball Inc., of Texas.
The purchase price of the transaction is $10.5M USD and is subject to approval of the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (Minor League Baseball) and the PCL. The transaction is expected to close by October 1, 2004 and the franchise will then be moved to Round Rock. The Eskimos will operate the Trappers in the PCL for the 2004 season in Edmonton, and will commence discussions immediately with the City of Edmonton regarding the future of Telus Field.
In making the announcement Hugh Campbell, President & CEO stated "This was a very difficult decision for us. We originally purchased the Trappers to keep them in Edmonton, however, the PCL has changed significantly. The Calgary Cannons move to Albuquerque was the major factor that triggered the push by the PCL members for the Eskimos to sell the Trapper franchise. Scheduling, air & cross border travel and the Canadian dollar were also factors in the PCL being desirous of not having a Canadian team in the league. We will be utilizing the year we have to operate the Trappers in Edmonton to look for other baseball alternatives," said Campbell.
John Butler, Chairman of the Board of the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club, said "This was a tough struggle for our Board of Directors. As a community owned club the Eskimos role is to provide affordable family sports entertainment. The difficulty with remaining in the PCL was the other members ongoing concerns centering on travel and location. The PCL just had too many problems having a Canadian franchise. The Eskimo Board finally acknowledged the significant concerns of the league and the need to address this matter now."
Butler went on to add that "with the proceeds of the sale, the Eskimos will first pay off our Trapper debt and replenish the Eskimo Stabilization Fund that were both utilized to initially purchase the Trappers. We will also consider utilizing some of the sale proceeds to enhance sports venues in Edmonton and will work with the City of Edmonton in this regard."
For more information on the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club, please visit our web site at www.esks.com. Edmonton Trapper Baseball Club at www.trappersbaseball.com or Round Rock Express Baseball at www.roundrockexpress.com.
Pacific Coast League Stories from October 23, 2003
- Edmonton Trapper Baseball Club Sold - Edmonton Trappers
- Express Announces Personnel Moves - Round Rock Express
- Express Move One Step Closer to Major League Baseball - Round Rock Express
- Express to Hold Press Conference - Round Rock Express
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