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Thursday, May 28, 1998

Snider says he's out; sale requirements could deter Headrick, McCombs

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota Vikings president Roger Headrick and San Antonio businessman Red McCombs say they may deterred from making a bid for the team because of the terms set by the current owners.

Some Vikings co-owners have said they expect the price to exceed $200 million. And observers of the deal said Tuesday the terms put Headrick at a distinct disadvantage from other bidders.

Because owners chose to require a 100 percent stock sale, Headrick must divest himself of his Vikings stock and then reinvest in the team, leaving him with a tax burden of at least $3 million.

In addition, owners said they will not necessarily sell the team to the highest bidder, meaning they can vote down a Headrick bid.

"I don't know, I haven't decided yet," Headrick said on Tuesday. "I'm still considering it."

McCombs sounded equally discouraged after initially saying he would make a bid.

"I'm not making a bid now, and it could be that we won't make a proposal," he said. "We probably will, but I can't say for certain that we will."

Despite the wavering of Headrick and McCombs, Vikings owners said they are confident they will receive substantial offers. They have said they expect to reach a final sale agreement plan within 10 days of accepting an offer.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia Fliers owner Ed Snider, who has been mentioned as a possible bidder, said Wednesday he is not interested in buying the team.

"I don't know where they would have gotten that," Snider said. "I have no interest."

Snider, who owned 7 percent of the Philadelphia Eagles between 1964 and 1967, is said to be interested in getting back into football. In January, Snider traveled to Minnesota to meet with Vikings' representatives.