FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ULTIMATE FAN OFFERS TO BUY CFL FRANCHISE


January 5, 2004 – A Calgary Stampeders fan has revealed his plans to make an offer for the Canadian Football League franchise.

The fan, identified only as The Silver Stampeder, says that he is currently raising funds to purchase the team from Michael Feterik, the often-criticized owner.

The Silver Stampeder has outlined his campaign on his web site at http://www.silverstampeder.com. He hopes to raise an estimated $10 million (Canadian) to make a purchase offer.

He hopes to reach his financial goals by collecting donations of Canadian Tire money, and from the sales on his on-line store.

“I figured, what’s more fitting than to make an offer on a Canadian football team with Canadian Tire money? And everyone has a few ten-cent bills in the glove box that they could spare.”

And the on-line store? “There is a wide variety of stuff available there. T-shirts, clocks, mouse pads, calendars, even underwear. It’s all reasonably priced, rather stylish, and all of the money I get from sales goes directly to the cause.”

Of course, $10 million is a very large goal, and The Silver Stampeder says he’s prepared with another plan, should he fail to reach his mark.

“Hey, I’m an optimist. I think I can do this, otherwise I wouldn’t waste my time. However, I’m also a realist. Therefore, if I am unable to raise this amount by Labour Day 2004, or should the team be sold to local ownership before I have a chance to make my bid, or should the current owner refuse my offer, all of the money raised will be donated to a charity or other worthwhile cause.”

Exactly which organization the donation will go to will be decided by a poll at www.silverstampeder.com.

“There are a lot of great and worthy causes out there, and I will let Calgary decide where they feel the money is needed most.”

But of course, the hope is to raise enough to purchase the team.

“The ultimate goal is ‘regime change’ in the organization,” says The Silver Stampeder, who was quick to point out that the term ‘regime change’ was being used for humour, and not as a way to compare the current ownership with any deposed tyrants.

“There is absolutely no similarity between this campaign for regime change, and the situation in Iraq,” says The Silver Stampeder.

“I simply found the term to be an apt description of my goals. I believe that this organization would benefit from local ownership, and a breath of fresh air, so to speak.”

“Also, I thought it was funny.”

He is also quick to point out that he means no disrespect towards current owner Feterik.

“I have never met the man, but I am sure he is a good person, with good intentions for this organization.

"I, as a fan, have disagreed with some of his decisions during his time as owner. But if I was given the opportunity to meet him, I would be quick to thank him for stepping into a difficult situation here in Calgary, and sticking by the team.

“There have been far too many examples, especially this season, of Canadian Football League franchise owners who were unable, or unwilling, to stick with it and give everything they could to their teams. Mr. Feterik has never given me, as a fan, any reason to doubt his enthusiasm for the game, and his commitment to the team, the league, and this city.”

And does The Silver Stampeder feel that he, personally, would be able to step in and take over for Feterik?

“Good grief, no. I’m just a fan, and I will be the first to admit that I would be grossly unqualified to fill such a roll.

“Of course, that would lead most people to ask, why are you doing this if you can’t handle the responsibility?

“My hope is to secure the purchase of this franchise, so that I may find a suitable local owner or ownership group. What’s a suitable owner? Someone with deep local roots, and even deeper pockets. If I am successful in buying the team, I will assemble a panel of fans, reporters and other interested parties, and hold interviews with people and groups who meet this criteria.

"The person or persons who the panel feels would best be able to run this organization will be given the opportunity to buy the team from me for the sum of one dollar, with the understanding that if they ever decide to sell, they must first offer the team to me for one dollar, so that I may repeat the exercise and find new interested ownership.”

And what will The Silver Stampeder do with that loonie?

“I’m going to buy a 50/50 ticket at a Stampeders game, of course.”


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For further information, please contact The Silver Stampeder at ultimatestampsfan@yahoo.ca or at the website, www.silverstampeder.com.


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