Rob Walker Joins Mudbugs Ownership
March 16, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA â The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs have announced, at a press conference this evening at Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel in Bossier City, that Rob Walker of the California-based Walker Investments has joined John Madden in the ownership of the franchise.
Walker, 38, is a native of Portland, Oregon and has been investing in real estate since he was 18. Walker Investments currently owns property in six different states, including its purchase of Shreveport's American Tower building in July of 2003. Walker has also purchased multiple apartment communities in Bossier-Shreveport over the last two years and is in the process of buying more. This year, he began attending Mudbugs home games at the CenturyTel Center and was immediately hooked.
"I've been thrilled with the Mudbugs from the time I went to my first game here and knew that I wanted to get involved," said Walker. "This is a great honor for me to be included in the ownership of the team and working with Mr. Madden will be a lot of fun. The Mudbugs are already the top professional sporting event in the area and hopefully I can add some elements that all fans will enjoy."
John Madden is in his second season as the majority owner of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs and has seen his team enjoy great success on and off the ice during his time at the helm. This year, the Mudbugs increased their attendance from last season by thirteen percent, while the team finished with a 42-16-6 record and the second-best winning percentage in franchise history (.703). Madden has also looked forward to Walker's involvement as the two finalize the ownership agreement.
"I would like to welcome Rob to our Mudbugs family," said Madden. "I met him in September of last year and since then he's shown a lot of interest and support for the team. This is a great opportunity to build on the success that we've accomplished and I'm excited to work with Rob in having our franchise grow."
Walker will reside in Los Angeles and Shreveport and is involved in many other endeavors aside from owning his investment firm. He is also a professional race-car driver and was the Formula Mazda Series National Champion for the Expert Division in 2002. He and business partner Steve Olson also fund three separate orphanages in Indonesia, which they continue to finance and develop.
The Mudbugs begin the 2004 President's Cup Playoffs this weekend at the CenturyTel Center with Games 1 and 2 of their best-of-five series against the Indianapolis Ice on Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Games 3 and 4 will take place the following weekend in Indianapolis and will be broadcast on KWKH AM 1130. If necessary, Game 5 will be held at the CenturyTel Center on Tuesday March 30th at 7:05 p.m. For more information on Mudbugs playoff ticket packages and scheduling, please call 318-752-BUGS.
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