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South Bend sale agreement reached

March 9, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


South Bend, IN - Alan M. Levin, Managing General Partner of Palisades Baseball, Ltd., owner of the South Bend Silver Hawks, and principal shareholder of the Upper Deck, announced today that Palisades Baseball and the Upper Deck have entered into definitive Purchase and Sale Agreements with South Bend Professional Baseball Club, LLC (SBPBC), a Limited Liability Company, controlled by Joe Kernan, former Mayor of South Bend and Governor of the State of Indiana, which will transfer ownership of the Silver Hawks and the Upper Deck to SBPBC.

Levin has spent the past 18 years as a participant in the ownership of the Silver Hawks, first as a minority partner, and then as the Managing General Partner of Palisades Baseball, the sole owner of the franchise since 1990. He created the Upper Deck in 1990. "I'm pleased that we have secured a satisfactory agreement with a local ownership group. It is time for me to slow down and spend more time with my family," said Alan Levin. "The franchise will be in the hands of local ownership and will remain in South Bend. Joe Kernan has been a friend of mine during the past eighteen years and I can't think of a better successor to Palisades Baseball's ownership than Joe. The ownership transfer now insures that the franchise will remain in South Bend, a goal I had when I was first approached by Joe in 2003 about the future transfer of ownership to a local group. My special thanks to my Partners in South Bend, Steve Luecke, Mayor of South Bend, and the members of the Park Board for their friendship to me and their loyalty to Coveleski Regional Stadium and the Silver Hawks," continued Levin.

"We're safe at home. Baseball is here to stay in South Bend," Kernan said. "My thanks to Alan Levin for working with us to make this ownership change possible, to Mayor Steve Luecke for his strong support, and particularly the investors who stepped up for our team and our city. This agreement will keep the Silver Hawks right where they belong, here in South Bend. It's good for the ball club, good for the franchise, and, most importantly, it's good for our community," continued Kernan.

Palisades Baseball currently owns and operates the Silver Hawks in the Single A Midwest League, and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the Short Season New York-Penn. League. Mr. Levin is also the Managing Member of West Virginia Baseball, LLC, owner and operator of the Charleston Power, in the Single A South Atlantic League and the Managing Member of Chicago Football, LLC, the owner of the Chicago RUSH of the Arena Football League.

Erik Haag, Executive Vice President of Palisades Baseball, is leaving Palisades Baseball to join the National Basketball Association as Senior Director, Team Business Development. Haag will work with the NBA Developmental League. "Alan has been a great employer and has done more for me and my family than I could ever thank him for doing. Under his Management, Palisades Baseball has devoted a substantial amount of the organization's financial resources to improve The Cove and make it the entertainment destination in Michiana. The community should be excited about the sale and look forward to the leadership of Joe Kernan and his local investors," said Haag.

Until the deal closes this summer, Kernan shall assume all operational control of both entities.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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