St. Petersburg Looks Into Suit for San Francisco Interference

A St. Petersburg, Fla., official said today his city is examining the possibility of suing San Francisco for interference if the proposed move of the Giants to Florida is not approved.

Rick Dodge, St. Petersburg’s assistant city manager, said his city’s lawyers have determined that San Francisco’s efforts to retain the team already have interfered with the deal announced Aug. 7 in which Bob Lurie would sell the club to a Florida group.

“The ownership group and St. Petersburg would be greatly damaged if somehow that contract did not come to full fruition,” Dodge said during a news conference. “If someone interferes, they run some risk of some very huge damages.”

Russ Cline, whose company manages the Florida Suncoast Dome, the Giants’ proposed new home, said that for the stadium to be fully operational for baseball by opening day next season, purchases and construction have to begin by Oct. 1.

The stadium has cost $138 million and needs an additional $20 to $30 million in construction for baseball.

“We’d like to begin to start purchasing things and begin construction not too long after the Oct. 1 date to get ready,” Cline said.

The deal needs the approval of 11 of 14 National League owners and eight of 14 American League owners. Commissioner Fay Vincent has said a vote is not likely at baseball’s quarterly meeting in St. Louis on Sept. 9-10.

Dodge said the loan agreements between the purchasing group, headed by Vincent Naimoli, one of six general partners, and banks would be completed by the end of this week.

Dodge said an announcement will be made Friday telling Florida fans how to back the effort for the move.