In a surprising upset, the independent American Association lands the lease for Schaumburg‘s Alexian Field, despite not promising to field a team there for the 2011 season; Alan Oremus will own the team.
Other leagues had made proposals for the lease, including the independent North American League and at least three groups with ties to the Frontier League. The other proposals would have called for a team playing in the 2011 season, something that had been a priority for Schaumburg officials. We’re also told the North American League was willing to pay the most in base rent, but was not willing to make a long-term commitment to the city.
The decision was confirmed by City Manager Ken Fritz and several American Association owners. The lease must be approved by the city council and the park board.
We would expect some cascading effects from this; it would not be surprising to see a shift from the Rockford RiverHawks from the North American League as well.
RELATED STORIES: Schaumburg meeting with potential Alexian Field lessees; Court: Schaumburg can move ahead with Flyers eviction; Schaumburg quietly invites leagues to pitch for Alexian Field lease; Flyers tax woes date back to August; Flyers sale postponed; team loses business license; Flyers sale still in works; indy world waits on resolution; NAL at 12 for 2011; league looking at Metrodome?; NAL at 12 teams, tentatively; no schedule yet; It’s official: North American League unveiled; Joliet city officials to lobby at Frontier League meetings; Joliet throws monkey wrench in league mergers; New for 2011: North American League; Three indy leagues joining forces for 2011?; Seals: Canaries in the coal mine?
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