Good column today. I donÕt think there is too much to be concerned about as of yet. As I see it, here are the potential buyers:

1) Dave Checketts wants the cable channels and not the team

2) Alan Casden wants Chavez Ravine and not the team

3) Philip Anschutz wants to build a new stadium and not the team

The team is worth too much money to just be an afterthought in any deal. This means that any of the potential buyers probably need a partner who actually wants to own/run the team (like Bob Daly does currently). Perhaps Peter Ueberroth, Casey Wasserman, or even Daly would be interested? It is just way too early to get worried about any of these possibilities and I am betting that none of the possibilities are quite as bad as they seem.

Also, it isnÕt really fair to compare this sale to previous one. Fox is leaving the team in a lot better shape today then when Fox bought it. There is a solid management team in place and a cohesive vision. It pains me to say it, but when Fox bought the team there were a lot of changes that needed to be made. OÕMalley had really let things fall apart after the Al Campanis incident and with the rising costs of running a franchise.

Keep the faith,

Chris Hamilton