Majority Interest in New Hampshire Fisher Cats Sold to Leading Real Estate Investor
July 20, 2005 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
Manchester - Arthur P. Solomon, President and Chief Executive Officer of DSF Real Estate Investors, LLC, widely regarded as one of the most successful investors and developers in the U.S. real estate market today, completed a transaction in which he acquired a controlling interest in the New Hampshire Fisher Cats from Drew Weber, the team's founder. The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are the AA Eastern League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
The transaction is subject to approvals from the Eastern League, Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball. In keeping with company policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"This is a great opportunity for the Fisher Cats and all our fans," said Drew Weber, "and, I'm confident Art will continue to build on the team's vision of providing outstanding family entertainment to the state of New Hampshire and providing the best possible fan experience."
"As Eastern League Champions in 2004 and on their way to a successful 2005 season, my goal is to build on the exciting tradition which has been established that makes this team a model of excellence," said Art Solomon, the team's new Managing Director. "This is a solid franchise with great potential! The mission of the team will remain the same: to provide the finest entertainment to families and people of all ages. I see a tremendous opportunity to grow this ball club for the State of New Hampshire and the fans that we serve."
As a chief executive of several leading real estate companies in the United States, Solomon has a great depth of experience in managing large organizations and he sees many opportunities for this franchise and their brand new stadium. "Owning a baseball team has been a life-long dream," explained Solomon, "Growing up in New England, we played baseball all summer and we âlived and died' with the Red Sox. My son continued the family passion with the game and was recruited by the Philadelphia Phillies organization. My wife's late father played for a New York Yankees minor league team."
Solomon holds a B.A. from Brown University, an M.A. from Trinity College and a Ph.D. from Harvard University. Earlier in his career, he was a tenured professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Executive Director of the Harvard-MIT Joint Center for Urban Studies. He and his wife, Sally, have five children and six grandchildren who share their love of baseball.
The Fisher Cats moved to New Hampshire in 2004, bringing Minor League Baseball back to the Granite State for the first time since its departure from Nashua in 1986. They are in the middle of their first season in their new stadium and are competing for first place. Weber also owns the Lowell Spinners (Class NY-Penn League Affiliate of the World Champion Boston Red Sox). He will remain a Director and partner with the team.
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