Tom Hicks (left) and Nolan Ryan(C) AP photo/Tony Guiterrez
Tom Hicks, owner of the Texas Rangers along with the Dallas Stars and part owner of Liverpool FC, is looking for investors in his struggling baseball franchise.
Hicks is among the most hated men in baseball for signing Alex Rodriguez to a 252 million dollar contract, and for his clubhouses role in the steroids era of baseball. With that being said he may have his investor already on the payroll.
In 2008 Hicks named Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan President of the Rangers. Nolan has been busy since retiring form baseball, co-authoring several books and buying large ownerships stakes in two Houston Astros minor league affiliates.
Ryan owns the Corpus Christi Hooks a Double A team of the Texas league, and the Round Rock express a Triple A team of the Pacific Coast League. The Hooks had revenue in 2007 of 7.1 million dollars and are worth 16.7 million. While the Express had revenue in 2007 of 10.9 million dollars and are worth 24.2 million dollars, needless to say both teams are dong very well.
It seems though that there may be a wrinkle to Ryan buying into the Rangers. Since he is a large part of the ownership of two Astros affiliates it seems there may be some turbulence to get him approved by the Ownership committee.
I don’t think the Astros would like their minor league affiliate owners owning a chunk of their in state competition.
If those differences can be worked out, say by Ryan selling off a significant share of his holdings there, there is little doubt that Ryan could be an effective MLB owner.
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