Event Date: September 22nd, 1984
Event Description: Shinn Shopping
Source: United Press International
Charlotte businessman George Shinn plans to visit Los Angeles soon to continue discussions about purchasing the struggling Los Angeles Express of the U.S. Football League.
Shinn, 43, a one-time millworker who owns a national chain of trade schools, met Thursday in Charlotte with league officials courting him to buy the Express.
At the meeting were John Bassett, owner of the Tampa Bay Bandits and chairman of the USFL's executive committee, and Steve Ehrhart, a former league executive and president of the Memphis Showboats.
Shinn said the next step is to travel to Los Angeles to look over the operation. Bassett said the league is making every effort to interest Shinn.
"We're interested in George because he's interested in the opportunity,” said Bassett. “He's also a fine human being and a young and aggressive fellow who is on the move.”
Shinn said the team would remain in Los Angeles if he bought it. He added any agreement would also have to include a provision granting him USFL rights in the Carolinas.
The Express had an average attendance of 13,000 fans a game last season, one of the lowest figures in the league. It has an annual player salary budget of around $5 million.
The discussions also came at a time when the league is considering reducing membership from 16 to 12 teams.
“This has got to make sense financially before I'll do it,” said Shinn.
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