(Galena,IL) The PVBL franchise Galena Hamsters announced today that they
had signed a $10 million contract with Viacom and Paramount Studios to use
the Star Trek license.
"This is the next step in the evolution of the Galena Hamsters
franchise," noted Hamsters owners and Trekker Matthew peck, "Not only do
we offer Galena Hamsters fans a very competitive, winning baseball team,
but we offer other forms of entertainment as well."
Indeed, there is much to do at Hamster stadium. For the dining
enthusiasts, there are three five star restaraunts in which to dine. There
are also several pubs and fast food eateries to spend your time. Also, for
the many tourists that visit Galena, there is a mega Super 8 motel within
the stadium, the biggest and fanciest Super 8 in the world.
But perhaps the most interesting attraction at Hamster Stadium
will be the $100 million Star Trek casino and attraction. "Paramount
wanted to bring Star Trek to the midwest, and Mr. Peck gave us that
opportunity," notes Star Trek executive producer Rick Berman, "for the
people that can't get to Las Vegas, this attraction more than makes up for
it!" The Star Trek attraction includes a 10 forward lounge like that found
on the Enterprise-D in Star Trek: The Next Generation. It will be an
actual bar and restaurant with great food. A bartender will be available
to answer questions as well, ala Guinan.
This will be the third gambling attraction in the Galena/Tri-state
area. Also in the area is the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino, the
Diamond Joe RiverBoat Casino, and the Silver Eagle casino. It expected
that the Hamster/Star Trek casino will put a huge dent in the coffers of
the other businesses, possibly driving one or more out of business.
Part of the deal with Paramount allows Paramount to use the Galena
Hamsters name and players in film, as well as being granted the right to
use Galena Hamsters property when filming. Indeed, Paramount is taking
advantage of this right immediately. An episode of Deep Space Nine will
start filming shortly in Galena at Hamster Stadium! It is a holodeck
adventure that involves baseball enthusiast Captain Benjamin Sisko, "It's
going to be a glorious little episode," says Berman, "Sisko and Jake take
a holodeck holiday back in time to the PVBL. The timeline is during the
1997 season when Galena won it's 100th game. It ends up the captain is
quite a Galena Hamsters fan!" When pressed for more information on the
episode, Berman hesitated, then continued, "Perhaps the most intersting
aspect of the episode is that it stars some actual Galena Hamsters
players! Among those making cameos are Reggie Jefferson, Kevin Appier, and
Brant Brown. And Chris Gomez is actually quite an actor, so he has a large
role in the show. It's really going to be fabulous, not just for Galena
fans, but for all baseball fans and Trek fans."
It is interesting to note that Chris Gomez is currently on the
trading block for a draft pick, and could be on another team before the
episode is aired, although it wouln't matter since the episode takes place
during the 1997 season, not the 1998 season.
