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MountainStar Sports takes control of Tucson Padres

Pacific Coast LeagueWith all the requisite paperwork and permissions complete, MountainStar Sports Group has taken control of the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), paving the way for a move to El Paso in 2014.

Realistically, the sale of the team was close to final when MountainStar Sports Group signed a Franchise Purchase Agreement on Sept. 26: that was the point of no return, when the sale was inevitable. Still, the announcement today that the last set of permissions from MiLB had been granted on the team sale is certainly an occasion to mark. The last set of permission from MiLB means the team is controlled by MountainStar; it also means that the move to El Paso in 2014 is still on schedule, unless a ballpark deal gets derailed.

“Last month’s decision made by your City Council and Mayor put all the elements in place for El Paso to be approved as a Triple-A city,” said PCL President Branch Rickey via press release. “Your community and the ownership group have been reviewed very carefully by the Pacific Coast League, Minor League Baseball, and Major League Baseball, and they have completed the many steps necessary to be approved and to bring the Tucson Padres to El Paso. We know El Paso will be an outstanding home for this team, and an exciting place for visiting Pacific Coast League teams to play. On behalf of the game of Baseball, congratulations.”

“With final approval by the Pacific Coast League, Major League Baseball, and Minor League Baseball, El Pasoans can be very proud of our community and what this will mean for El Paso families and for our City,” said Josh Hunt, a member of MountainStar Sports Group along with his father, Woody Hunt, and Paul and Alejandra Foster. “In approximately eighteen months, El Pasoans from all parts of town will be headed to a brand new, state-of-the-art ballpark to see their team on opening day and enjoy the best in affordable family entertainment.”

The Tucson Padres are committed to play at Kino Stadium in 2013.

RELATED STORIES: El Paso ballpark foes file suit in federal court to shut down project; MountainStar Sports buys Tucson Padres; Opponents: El Paso ballpark debate not overMayor won’t veto ballpark lease; PCL to El Paso in 2014El Paso ballpark approval squeaks throughPCL approves move of T-Padres to El Paso — if lease approvedRickey: El Paso could lose Triple-A team if ballpark not approved; MountainStar: Deal to bring Triple-A to El Paso could fall through if ballpark not approved; MountainStar, El Paso amend ballpark leaseEl Paso mayor: I can still scuttle ballpark dealPetition to halt El Paso ballpark submitted, but may be too lateEl Paso moves forward with ballpark planningEl Paso group pledges profits to charityEffort to thwart El Paso ballpark falls shortProtesters to “Occupy City Hall” over new El Paso ballparkHotel tax on El Paso ballot; no direct choice for votersWill El Paso ballpark spur downtown development? Insiders of mixed mindEl Paso opponents: We want ballpark on fall ballotPCL approves El Paso purchase of T-PadresFoster: Opposition to new El Paso ballpark not a surpriseOpposition to El Paso ballpark emergesHoteliers: We don’t want to pay for new El Paso ballparkEl Paso group: we’re one step closer to buying PCL teamPacific Coast League expected to decide El Paso bid for baseball this week; El Paso: Let’s sell Cohen Stadium to Tigua tribeT-Padres back in Kino Stadium for 2013One side effect of new El Paso ballpark: return of UTEP baseballEl Paso ownership group pitches PCLEl Paso approves ballpark for Triple-A teamFirst look: El Paso ballpark renderingsDiablos casualty of new El Paso ballparkDowntown ballpark planning moving forward in El PasoEl Paso to debate ballpark bond issueEl Paso group seeking downtown ballpark, T-PadsMoorad to Escondido: We need quick action on ballparkObstacles to new ballparks in California: not as bleak as expectedEscondido moving forward with business park on proposed ballpark propertyCity, not Moorad group, to acquire Escondido landEscondido mayor: Time to scrap new-ballpark planMoorad: Leaving Padres in Tucson a possibilityEscondido ballpark vote put off indefinitelyEscondido ballpark vote delayed;State government could kill Escondido T-Pods ballparkNew for 2011: Tucson PadresEscondido approves Triple-A ballpark — with reservationsMoorad group, Escondido sign MOU for new ballparkEscondido council fills vacancy in advance of ballpark voteCrunch time for new Escondido ballparkPadres raise ante in Escondido ballpark negotiationsEscondido ballpark vote delayed again; new council will decidePadres make it official: Beavers to Tucson in 2011Election shows mixed support for new Escondido ballparkTuesday elections could determine fate of BevosBevos to Tucson for 2011Escondido ballpark vote delayed after pollution found at siteFate of Bevos in the air until November, maybe DecemberPadres pitch one-sided lease to EscondidoEscondido: Show us some money, PadresEscondido in, San Marcos out of Bevos ballpark mix

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