Glacier Gets Big Investor

The technology billionaire courted by the Walt Disney Co. as a potential buyer of its Anaheim sports teams said Thursday he is an investor in a proposed indoor snowboard park adjacent to Edison Field.

Henry T. Nicholas III, chief executive and co-founder of Irvine-based Broadcom Corp., confirmed his financial interest in Gotcha Glacier, a development that also would include indoor surfing, skateboarding and rock climbing.

With the Glacier project planned for the parking lot of Edison Field, the home of the Angels, a successful development could help expose the baseball team to a new generation of fans. While Nicholas would not directly comment on his interest in the Angels--or Mighty Ducks--he left little doubt he has been seriously considering Disney’s invitation.

“It’s very difficult for a corporation to run a team,” Nicholas said. “A baseball team really belongs to the community. An owner belongs to the community, and a corporation has to recognize that.”

Nicholas and Gotcha Chief Executive Marvin Winkler live on the same street in an upscale Laguna Hills development.

The Angels are in last place this season, their fourth under Disney management, despite a record $80-million contract for first baseman Mo Vaughn and a player payroll that topped $50 million for the first time in franchise history.

“Disney has spent a huge amount on players. You can’t criticize them for that,” Nicholas said. “But what the team is really lacking is a soul. A corporation can’t provide a soul.”

Groundbreaking is scheduled in October for the Glacier complex, projected to cost $65 million and cover 435,000 square feet. Ogden Corp., which manages the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, has agreed to operate the Glacier.

Broadcom officials said reports that Nicholas might invest in Anaheim sports ventures had prompted calls from investors worried he would become distracted from his duties as the company’s chief executive.

There was no indication that Broadcom itself would invest in any of the outside ventures, however.

“If Broadcom were making an investment I would know,” said Myron Eichen, a board member at the company, which makes computer chips for high-speed communications. “I know there’s rumors out there, but that’s all I know about it.”