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Thursday, May 21, 1998

San Antonio auto magnate McCombs back in bidding for NFL team

By KELLEY SHANNON / AP Sports Writer

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Businessman Red McCombs will try again to buy the Minnesota Vikings now that best-selling author Tom Clancy has withdrawn his $200 million offer to purchase the team.

"I don't consider myself the kind of person who would dance on someone else's grave," McCombs said Wednesday.

"Having said that, it is quite an exciting element that (the team) may end up in our hands. I hope it does," he said.

The Vikings went on the market last summer. McCombs offered $187 million in cash, finishing third among three bids accepted in February. Clancy was the top bidder.

Clancy withdrew his offer Wednesday, saying the decision "painful, but necessary" after the NFL's finance committee would not recommend a proposal he presented earlier this month.

Clancy is going through a divorce, and doubts were raised about his ability to raise in cash a significant portion of the at least $60 million he planned to invest in the total package.

Also causing problems with the offer was the addition of Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, who pledged $25 million but wanted a provision allowing him to buy the team if Clancy ever wanted to sell. That seemed to suggest the Vikings could leave Minnesota.

If he becomes the owner of the Vikings, McCombs said, the team would "absolutely" remain in Minnesota.

Though he has said time and again he wants to bring an NFL team to the San Antonio-Austin area, McCombs said, "I don't see that being the Vikings."

As an NFL owner he would be in a better position to help lure some other team to Texas, he said.

McCombs, 70, is the former owner of the San Antonio Spurs and the Denver Nuggets of the NBA and has been looking for a football team to buy.

He made his millions in automobiles sales, energy, real estate and cattle and through a radio and television company he helped form. Forbes magazine ranked McCombs last year as one of the 400 richest Americans with an estimated net worth of $940 million.

In an interview Wednesday, McCombs said he has told the Vikings' sellers he remains interested in the team. He was awaiting word on how the bidding will be conducted this time.

"I get the impression that they are a little bit frustrated by this past event," McCombs said, referring to the problems with Clancy's offer. McCombs said he was surprised Clancy's deal fell apart.

"I don't know Mr. Clancy personally. It's obvious to me by his comments that he was sincerely interested in making that acquisition," he said.

This time, McCombs said, his bid may be a different amount because of changes with the team since February.

It turns out a national television contract signed by the NFL will be more lucrative than his previous bid had assumed. And the Vikings have signed several players to expensive contracts.

"Things have changed," McCombs said. "We need to see some current information on the club."

Roger Headrick, one of the team's 10 current owners, also is prepared to try to bid again. He finished second in February with his offer of $180 million to $185 million.

Marc Ganis, Clancy's main adviser in the purchase, said he would continue trying to put together an investors group. Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad and Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider also are expected to re-enter the bidding.

Once again, McCombs feels confident.

"I have to feel like my chances are good," he said. "Having said that, I thought they were good last time."