New Orleans, LA (AP)- New Orleans Vampires owner Jeremy Chrabascz, for the first time ever, is presently entertaining offers to sell his television networks ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, Classic Sports Network, NESN, and Sports Channel New England. Chrabascz issued a brief statement:
It is with a heavy heart that I must announce that I will be putting my television empire up for sale effective immediately to the highest bidder. This will include every network, including ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, Classic Sports Network, NESN, and Sports Channel of New England. It has become apparent from the current struggles of the Vampires organization and our inability to make the playoffs since Season 1 that I must begin to cut my losses and regroup. Furthermore, it became increasingly difficult to cope with the logistics of running 5 networks based in New England from our home base in New Orleans, Louisianna. ESPN and it subsidiaries, along with NESN, will be better off with management closer to home. In the meantime, we will begin negotiations with networks here in the greater New Orleans viewing area to come to an agreement on a minor, local television package. However, it is in my honest opinion, that few people need to or should be forced to watch the New Orleans Vampires until they become a playoff team again. If this serves as inspiration for them to play better, if nothing else to spite me, so be it.
And with that, a dramatic chapter in PVBL and network television history has come to an end. Chrabascz's media empire will reportedly go for over $2.3 Trillion in total value. No word yet on who the bidders are. Chrabascz purchased each network in 1997 along with the PVBL franchise then known as the Hartford Whalers. The Whalers beat the odds, winning the World Championship despite having the worst record of any playoff team Season 1. EVERY Whalers game was carried on either ESPN, ESPN2 or NESN at the time. But the Whalers finished in last place in Seasons 2 and 3 and recently relocated to New Orleans, LA, finding no greater success as yet.
RUMORS
- Many Vampires pitchers have drawn interest from other clubs as has Mo Vaughn, Tilson Brito and Kurt Abbott. New Orleans, once again, is looking for SOLID, YOUNG pitching talent and 1st Round Ammy picks.
- It has been rumored that another move for the New Orleans franchise seems likely if the club does not begin winning by the All-Star Break. Chrabascz and his fellow managers are reportedly disgruntled with the city's tax plan and the astronomical cost of running a team in Louisianna. Other clubs have also expressed their frustrations with the high costs of accomodations in the area. It is unlcear just what Chrabascz and his men have up their sleeves next. However, they have reportedly purchased a large crop of land suspiciously (and dangerously) close to another PVBL franchise (Clue #1) and one of their many construction companies has allegedly broken ground for a new, domed stadium (Clue #2). STAY TUNED...
