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PRINT THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE Wednesday, July 29, 1998 NFL owners approve McCombs' bid for Vikings GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) - Red McCombs will be the new owner of the Minnesota Vikings. NFL team owners today unanimously approved the San Antonio businessman's $250 million purchase of the team. His partner, Gary Woods, said the sale should close by mid-August. McCombs, the former owner of the NBA's San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets, predicted his team will compete for the title. "I think this team has a very good chance of winning every game on the schedule," McCombs said. McCombs said he will spend a month evaluating the team but doesn't anticipate a shakeup. He reiterated his promise to keep the team in Minnesota but said he understands fans' concerns about an owner who wants an NFL team in south Texas. On Monday night, the league's finance committee unanimously approved McCombs' bid. That committee recommended accepting the bid to the rest of owners. McCombs, who first bid $187 million for the Vikings in February, paid a reported $250 million for the club. His bid was accepted by the Vikings ownership group July 2. "I'm very excited about it," McCombs said. "I expected it to go that way, but it is a very necessary step in the approval process and I'm glad we got past it." In gaining the finance committee's approval, McCombs passed the barrier that knocked down would-be buyer Tom Clancy in May. The author originally outbid McCombs and Vikings president Roger Headrick, but Clancy skipped the required finance committee meeting when it became apparent he didn't have the $200 million to back the bid. Also, the owners are expected to discuss the multiple bids for the expansion Cleveland Browns team. No decisions are expected to be made, but the owners are expected to discuss how much they will charge the eventual owners to join the NFL. Owners are reportedly seeking at least $500 million from whomever is accepted as the expansion franchise's owners. Plans for stocking the Browns via next year's expansion and entry drafts are also on the agenda. An ownership group for the new franchise is expected to be made by mid-September. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below: texnews.com Reporter OnLine Local Sports Texas Sports Copyright ©1998, Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below:

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