Laurel Park presents its case for slots

By Liz Farmer
Daily Record Business Writer

Laurel Park officials laid out their case Thursday that their track is better positioned to get a slots facility up and running than the proposed slots site up the road near Arundel Mills — with or without a slots operator license.

Tom Chuckas, president of the Maryland Jockey Club, disputed the idea that the track is not a viable alternative to the Arundel Mills site. Since 2003, he said, track officials have been working on getting the permits that are required to build a slots facility.

Vogel wants to bring poker to struggling Rosecroft Raceway

By Liz Farmer
Daily Record Business Writer 

Rosecroft Raceway’s owner-in-waiting wants to bring table games to the Prince George’s County harness racing track next year but — as with slots legalization – he could be in for a long struggle.

Greenbelt-based developer Mark Vogel, who is expected to become the new owner of the raceway next month pending a bankruptcy judge’s approval of the approximately $10 million sale, said Tuesday the track is ideal for poker rooms.

He said he plans on running a “full court press” in next year’s legislative session to push legalization.

“I think the momentum has turned in the state, especially in Prince George’s County, because they need the revenues,” Vogel said after a Maryland Racing Commission meeting in Laurel.

Cordish, De Francis submit bids for Md. tracks

By Liz Farmer
Daily Record Legal Affairs Writer 

Baltimore developer David Cordish and former track owner Joseph De Francis are among a handful of bidders for Maryland’s two thoroughbred tracks up for auction next month.

Cordish confirmed in an e-mail Monday morning he had submitted a bid for Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course last week. The tracks are owned by the Magna Entertainment Corp., a Canadian company that declared bankruptcy in March.

Jonathan Cordish, vice president of The Cordish Cos., said Cordish’s bid does not include a plan to bring slots to Laurel Park. Cordish won a bid to build a slots casino near Arundel Mills, but the company’s plans are still subject to zoning approval by the Anne Arundel County Council. The council is schedule to take that vote on Dec. 21.

Friendly forecast has Wisp hoping for a big season

By Liz Farmer
Daily Record Business Writer

Coming off a season in which visitor numbers grew over the prior year, Maryland’s only ski resort expects a steady season and another visitation increase, thanks to predictions of a snowy winter.

Wisp Resort in Garrett County does not release its specific visitor totals, but Director of Marketing Lori Epp said the Appalachian Mountain resort saw a 7.9 percent increase in skier and snowboarder visits during the 2008-09 season over the prior year.

And Wisp isn’t alone — despite a lagging economy that’s taking a toll on luxury purchases and discretionary spending, many resorts across the mid-Atlantic and Southeast saw an uptick in visitation numbers last year, according to the National Ski Areas Association.

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A big goal for Towson retailer Lax World

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By Liz Farmer
Daily Record Business Writer

After opening seven stores over 20 years, Towson-based retailer Lax World is in the middle of an aggressive, three-store expansion to capitalize on the growing popularity of lacrosse while there are still deals to be had in the depressed commercial real estate market.

Lax World, which specializes in lacrosse equipment, clothing and accessories, opened a store in York Galleria Mall in York, Pa., in October and three weeks ago opened a store in the new Maple Lawn development in Howard County. The company is now scouting out a location in Bethesda, and executives say they hope to open a store there within a few months in time for the 2010 season.

Two of Lax World’s stores have also gotten bigger this year — its flagship store in The Shops at Kenilworth expanded into the open space next door in the mall, while its Bel Air location moved to the Harford Mall in a space 50 percent larger than its former South Main Street location.

Jerry Scott, the company’s director of operations, would not specify what kind of leasing deals Lax World was able to get but said they were “just too good to pass up.”

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New complex will help Coppin share the wealth

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By Liz Farmer
Daily Record Business Writer

Derrick Ramsey, Coppin State UniversityWhen Coppin State University’s basketball team tips off against local rival Morgan State University in its new home Saturday, the crowd will be louder, the lights brighter and that new-building smell may still linger in the air.

After more than 20 years in Coppin Center, the team is debuting its state-of-the-art arena — part of a $130 million physical education complex many hope will not only help recruiting but will lift the school and its Northwest Baltimore community’s revitalization.

“This is an opportunity for the people in the community to share in the wealth of the building,” said university President Reginald S. Avery, adding the new buildings could host concerts, town halls and other events. “This is not only Coppin’s building but the community’s as well.”

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For Univ.of MD., keeping Friedgen the safe business move

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By Liz Farmer
Daily Record Business Writer

Maryland’s football team has a 66-46 record in nine years under Ralph Friedgen, but four of the last six seasons have been sub .500.On the heels of a 2-10 season, one high-profile college football coach being fired and another resigning under pressure, University of Maryland’s Ralph Friedgen was given another shot Tuesday in what many are calling the safer business decision.

Friedgen, who has $4 million and two years left on his contract as head coach of the Terrapins, said he was thankful for the opportunity to continue as coach and was optimistic for the future of the program.

“Hope I wasn’t just judged on this year, and I think this shows the confidence the administration has in me,” he said.

But it’s likely a short leash he’s been given.

Edie Brown: A friend in the PR arena

By Liz Farmer
Daily Record Business Writer 

Edie Brown began working for what was then called the Baltimore Civic Center in 1983, after more than three years at the Baltimore Convention Center.Edie Brown can’t go anywhere in Baltimore without seeing someone she knows.

When asked how many people she knows here, the longtime public and community relations director for the 1st Mariner Arena just laughs.

“[Baltimore] is very neighborhood-oriented, so you kind of always stick to people that you know and you grew up with or went to school with who are in the same social circle, so you don’t really expand out of that little circle,” she said. “This has given me the opportunity to meet terrific people I never would have met otherwise. It helps you stay young and alert.”

And while she may have framed photos of herself and Luciano Pavarotti, Michael Phelps and Sugar Ray Leonard in her office, the 76-year-old has made her career by treating everyone who crosses her path as a friend.

No ‘stalking horse’ bid for Md. tracks

By Liz Farmer
Daily Record Business Writer 

Baltimore developer Carl Verstandig said he wasn’t surprised Magna couldn’t reach an agreement with a ‘stalking horse’ bidder.The bankrupt owner of Maryland’s thoroughbred race tracks is moving forward in its auction of the tracks without selecting a leading bidder, but interested buyers said that change is not a deterrent.

Magna Entertainment Corp. could not come to a purchase agreement late Wednesday with the bidder it had selected to make its “stalking horse bid,” an initial bid chosen by the company that competing groups can bid against.

Ontario-based Magna was scheduled to file a motion Wednesday in federal bankruptcy court in Wilmington, Del., announcing the stalking horse bidder for its Maryland properties — Pimlico Race Course, Laurel Park and Bowie Training Center — and had been in talks with a group that filed in the first round of bidding last week.

But a managing director of Miller Buckfire, the New York-based company handling Magna’s assets auction, said Thursday Magna could not reach an agreement they felt was “deserving” of a stalking horse bid.

“Just because someone puts forward a bid doesn’t mean we have to take it,” said Michael Wildish. “They pushed our limits, and they found them.”

Miller Buckfire will instead move on and wait for the second round of bids for the properties to arrive next month.

Magna’s top bidder selection delayed

By Liz Farmer
Daily Record Business Writer 

The company that owns Maryland’s thoroughbred race tracks has selected the leading bid for the properties but is delaying the announcement of that bidder until Wednesday.

Magna Entertainment Corp., which declared bankruptcy in March, was scheduled to select a stalking horse bidder by 5 p.m. Monday. The Ontario-based firm instead filed a motion asking a bankruptcy court judge permission to extend the deadline the company set for itself to Wednesday.

A stalking horse bid is an initial bid chosen by the company that competing bidders can bid against.

Magna placed Pimlico Race Course, Laurel Park and the Bowie Training Center on the auction block last month. The auction for the properties is scheduled for Jan. 8.

Verstandig partners up in bid for Md. tracks

By Liz Farmer
Daily Record Business Writer 

The first round of bids for Maryland’s thoroughbred race tracks were submitted Monday, including a proposal from a group made up of race track operators and a local developer.

Bankrupt Magna Entertainment Corp., which put its Maryland properties back on the auction block last month, will announce its “stalking horse” bid, or an initial offer that competitors can bid against, on Nov. 9. Miller Buckfire, the New York firm handling Ontario-based Magna’s assets auction, is not releasing the number of bids entered by Monday’s deadline nor the names of the preliminary bidders.

But Pikesville developer Carl Verstandig, who had expressed his interest in buying Maryland’s tracks in the past, said Monday he joined in a bid submitted by two out-of-state track operators. He would not reveal the names of the bidders but said they operated tracks and had gaming operations around the country and would likely be interested in bringing slots to Laurel Park if possible.

Psycho Fan or Super Fan? You be the judge.

These guys were Denver fans for the dayI went to the Denver-Washington game this weekend (expecting a snoozer but was pleasantly surprised) and sat a few rows behind a group of fans wearing Dallas jerseys. OK -- according to Liz's Book of Jersey Etiqutte, it's acceptable to wear the jersey of a different team than the game you're attending if you're jersey is one in the same league OR if your jersey is for a different team but that team plays in the same city as one of the two teams on the field.

I know, it makes perfect sense.

Anyway, that's not why these guys were wearing Cowboys jerseys. That became abundantly clear when they started cheering wildly for the Denver Broncos and high-fiving every Denver fan that passed their way.

They were there SOLELY to root against the Redskins. Now THAT'S a dedication to a rivalry.

Baltimore’s Jamie McCourt’s future with Dodgers in limbo

We often hear in Baltimore about the desire for more local or family ownership (see Tribune/Baltimore Sun, Pimlico Race Course). But family ownership has its problems too.

Last month, Jamie McCourt, a Baltimore native who was CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the highest-ranking woman in baseball, and her husband Frank, announced their seperation. On Oct. 21 Frank fired his wife and Jamie filed for divorce the following week.

On Thursday, Jamie McCourt lost her bid to be reinstated as the team’s chief executive in what is already an ugly divorce. McCourt, 55, is accused by her husband of having an affair with her bodyguard-driver, also a Dodger employee who was fired. Frank McCourt, 56, also claims she was doing a poor job in her role as chief executive.

Maryland’s soccer coach getting some sponsorship love

University of Maryland men’s soccer coach Sasho Cirovski has signed a deal with Mondo, a sports flooring manufacturer, in a five-year sponsorship agreement.

Cirovski, who led Maryland to NCAA championships in 2005 and 2008, will endorse Mondoturf Ecofill Star, Mondo’s artificial turf, through speaking engagements, trade shows and meetings.

It’s not exactly Gatorade…but it’s nice to see Cirovski getting some recognition for his team’s success. So often, college sports that don’t end in “-ball” get overlooked by sponsors because they don’t draw nearly as many fans.

But this is a case where you have a niche sport, and Cirovski’s a known name. And you have a product that’s very specific. The same circles that know Cirovski are the people Mondo is trying to sell this product to. It’s not as glamorous as the big names like Gatorade, but then again, most Gatorade drinkers probably don’t know who Cirovski is.

Jan. 8 set for auction of Pimlico and Laurel Park tracks

Brian S. Rosen (left), the attorney for Magna, after a hearing in Delaware this year.A bankruptcy judge has approved Jan. 8 for the auction of Maryland’s thoroughbred race tracks, and a former owner could be among the potential bidders for the properties.

Joseph De Francis, whose family sold controlling interest in Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course to Magna Entertainment Corp. in 2002, objected through his attorney to the three-month timetable of the proposed bidding process and auction.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware ruled in favor of Magna’s proposal at a hearing Wednesday morning. Bids are due Nov. 2 and the auction will be held Jan. 8.

An attorney for Magna, which filed for bankruptcy in March, said De Francis had been in touch with the Ontario-based company for several months about his interest in the tracks.

“But I don’t think [his proposals] had much substance and we look forward to selling for more real money,” Brian S. Rosen said after the hearing. Rosen added it was likely that De Francis would submit a bid in November.

De Francis said he was “disappointed” by that characterization.

Verstandig wants ‘Disney’ of racing for Md. tracks

Pikesville developer Carl Verstandig said Tuesday he plans to bid on Maryland’s two thoroughbred race tracks, which were placed back on the auction block just days ago, and would spend more than $20 million on renovating the historic venues.

Verstandig said he never lost interest after Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course were pulled off the list of assets up for auction this spring by their bankrupt owner, Ontario-based Magna Entertainment Corp. Magna requested to place the Maryland properties (and properties in California and Florida) back up for auction in a federal bankruptcy court filing Friday.

“We’re back into it,” said Verstandig, whose company, America’s Realty LLC, redevelops shopping centers in the Baltimore area.

Verstandig said he and his West Coast-based silent partner who owns 14 tracks across the country plan to invest $12 million to $15 million in renovating Pimlico, home of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of racing’s Triple Crown.

Renovations would include adding two white-tablecloth restaurants from California and three casual dining or fast-food establishments owned by local entrepreneurs.

Orioles outscore Nationals in D.C. ratings

Seems Nationals fans in Washington can’t even bear to watch their team on television. According to the Washington Business Journal, D.C. is the only television market where the home team played second fiddle to an out-of-town team this year…and guess which team that was, O’s fans?

That’s right — Orioles games on MASN drew a 0.67 rating and 16,000 homes in D.C. this season compared with the Nationals’ 0.60 rating and 14,000 homes.

Ouch. Like we don’t have enough reason to pity the Nationals: Attendance fell by about 500,000 to 1.8 million, they fired their manager halfway through the season, they posted a major league worst 59-103 record this year, lost 102 games last year, and the team’s general manager resigned in May amidst a player scandal.

I’m not saying the Orioles were anything to write home about this year (attendance dipped by about 43,000 to 1.9 million, they put up a 64-98 record this year and fans were embittered after yet another free agent prospect  — Mark Teixeira — was lured away by more money). But it’s always nice when you don’t have to look too far to find someone who’s worse off than you are.

Here’s what MASN spokesman Todd Webster had to say to the WBJ:

“The Nationals continue to grow strong roots and build a passionate fan base, but the Baltimore-Washington region is really one large mega-market, where support for both teams transcends traditional boundaries.”

Interesting how the two cities can be one or two markets, depending on what’s convenient....

Click here to access rest of post from "On the Record."

NFL joins slots and racing in Delaware, but Md. officials aren’t worried

Fans at the sports book at Delaware Park in Wilmington keep track of their wagers during Sunday’s games.WILMINGTON, Del. — It’s about 30 minutes before kickoff of the Cleveland Browns-Baltimore Ravens game on Sunday. NFL jerseys dot the landscape, and lines swell to 20 people deep as fans rush to get everything in order so they can get back to their seats for the game.

But this isn’t M&T Bank Stadium — it’s Delaware Park, a race track and gaming venue just 65 miles up Interstate 95.

“I really wouldn’t come here without sports betting,” said Brian Taylor, 35, who came from Reisterstown with two of his friends to bet and watch the Ravens game. “I’ve been to [Las] Vegas to do some betting, and a one-hour drive is much easier than a five-hour flight out there.”

In the time between February, when Maryland accepted applications for slots operators, to last month, when the state awarded its first license, Delaware passed a bill legalizing sports betting and had it up and running for the National Football League’s opening weekend.

But Maryland officials say they aren’t too worried about one of its neighboring states offering yet another gaming option before slots arrive here, despite the number of Marylanders crossing the state line and wagering in Delaware on Sundays.

Crabby about Crabtree

At least five or six people have asked me today what my thoughts are on the 49ers signing Michael Crabtree. I referred them to my Facebook posting, "Why, God. WHY???"

Maybe that's confusing because yes, the Niners drafted him so of course they'd want to ink the deal, yes he was an outstanding college wide receiver and yes -- Isaac Bruce ain't gettin' any younger so the team's looking to get some youth in its WR core.

I'm upset because as a business decision and a psychological decision, I feel it was the wrong way to go.

Here's the business part: Crabtree's outrageous request of $40 million to sign may have been falling on deaf ears in San Francisco but at least two teams were looking foolish enough to pony up that kind of dough. As SF Chronicle columnist Kevin Lynch clearly explains, the Niners could have let Crabtree dangle for another team to sign and dealt him for at least one 1st round draft pick next year. The team at 3-1 (and almost 4-0 -- see previous post) is playing the best they have in YEARS. They don't need him this year. 

Here's the psycho-babble part: when Crabtree began showing his true colors toward the end of the preseason, that wasn't sitting well with some team members. Crabtree's attitude during this whole ordeal has been selfish -- what's going to make him any different in the locker room? By signing him anyway, even after all the drama, the team's front office is saying that's OK.

ESPN, enough with the Brett Favre love-fest already!!!

Brett Favre's TD pass in the last second to win the game against the 49ers last Sunday couldn't have come at a better time for ESPN. Now, the network gets to replay the bejesus out of that tippy-toe catch in all its promos for this Monday night's matchup between the Vikings and Packers.

OK, I admit it was a pretty amazing catch. And it's a nice visual to play up the "Favre versus his old team in a division rivalry" thing. But a part of me dies on the inside every time I have to see it. And since I can't seem to change the channel fast enough before I see this replay for the umpteenth time, now I'm just avoiding ESPN altogether.

So, with that said, I know I'm being overdramatic. But I bet some Niners fans out there must understand my pain. I think. Let me know what you think and vote here: