Friday, Aug. 28, 2009

Another twist emerges in sale of Fever

By Ben Reynolds, Herald staff writer

KENNEWICK — Kevin Jinks has had to wait more than a week to see if his offer to buy the Tri-Cities Fever would be accepted.

He was told Thursday night that he's going to have to wait a little longer.

Jinks and his Trademark Sports Group have been put on hold by owner Doug MacGregor until next week, because another offer for the Fever could emerge in the coming days.

Team general manager Randy Schillinger confirmed late Thursday night that he is meeting with another potential investor this weekend. MacGregor has set a deadline of noon Tuesday for all offers to be submitted.

Jinks said he was OK with MacGregor's decision because his reason for purchasing the team was to make sure the franchise stayed in the Tri-Cities.

It looks like that is a growing possibility.

"It's a win-win situation," Jinks said. "Our goal is to have football in the Tri-Cities."

If MacGregor accepts Jinks' offer, he and his group plan on moving the franchise to the Indoor Football League, starting next season.

While MacGregor has repeatedly stated that he wants to keep football in the Tri-Cities, he would like the team to remain in the af2.

This new potential investor would do that and partner with MacGregor in what is expected to be a revamped arenafootball2 league next season.

"That's his No. 1 preference," said Schillinger, who has spearheaded the attempt to find investors in the franchise.

Details of the new league are expected in the coming weeks.

MacGregor has been trying to find a local investor since he purchased the franchise from Schillinger and J.R. Carr prior to the 2007 season and moved the Fever into the af2.

But recently, MacGregor ramped up his efforts to find a partner in the team, and said he would fold the team if no one stepped forward.

That's when Jinks went to work.

He, along with some other diehard Fever fans, united and have made it their mission to save the Fever.

Jinks and his group submitted an offer meeting MacGregor's requests last Wednesday.

The one exception would be to buy the team outright from MacGregor and move the team to the IFL, and that is why he has been put on hold.

Whether Jinks' dream turns into reality in the next week or so, he's really OK either way.

"Whatever happens, we'll support the team," he said. "We are all Fever fans."