Lurie to Lobby Against Bay Area
Giants’ owner Bob Lurie and Florida’s largest supermarket chain plan to join forces to fight a Bay Area group’s improved offer to keep the team in San Francisco.
Lurie is set to start a personal lobbying campaign among fellow owners on Tuesday in Chicago. Publix Super Markets Inc. said it’s ready to join the Tampa Bay investment group bidding to move the Giants to St. Petersburg.
Tampa Bay’s deal includes a $10-million loan from Lurie. Publix was asked by Tampa Bay investors to “take a part of this loan,” said Bob McDermott, company spokesman.
The St. Petersburg Times reported that Nutmeg Industries Inc., a Tampa sportswear company, is also interested in taking over part of the loan.
Lurie announced Aug. 7 his agreement in principle to sell the team for $115 million to the Florida group.
A group of San Francisco investors hoping to keep the team in place revised an earlier counteroffer of $95 million to $100 million earlier this week.
The sale, to either group, must be approved by 10 of Lurie’s fellow National League owners and a majority of American League owners.
If Publix goes through with its plan, the franchise battle will pit brother against brother. Howard Jenkins, Publix Chairman and CEO, is the brother of San Franciscan David Jenkins, a million-dollar participant in the San Francisco investment group.
