Schaumburg Flyers evicted from Alexian Field
The Schaumburg Flyers were evicted Thursday from their long-held lease at Alexian Field, but may have until March 6 to be sold to a new owner before they have to pack their bags and move out.
A judge issued a court order that returns the Flyers’ lease to the village of Schaumburg and Schaumburg Park District, which co-own the stadium. The order also requires the team’s ownership to pay $551,828.92 in overdue rent.
The village and park district sued the team earlier this offseason for more than $920,000 in overdue rent and other payments, though Thursday’s court order only acknowledges the rent up to a particular date.
The two governments repossession of the lease allows them to begin negotiations with other parties interested in establishing a team at Alexian Field.
Joliet City Manager Tom Thanas recently told the Daily Herald that Schaumburg is probably right to be confident about its ability to quickly find another team at Alexian Field. Finding a replacement for the bankrupt Joliet Jackhammers at Silver Cross Field was the easiest part of the city’s long saga with the financially struggling team, he said.
But Flyers’ ownership is continuing to work toward the sale of the team, which remains the best option for all concerned, Schaumburg Village Manager Ken Fritz said.
“Until we make a commitment to someone, it’s still an open door,” he said.
The tight time frame to get an entirely new team established and in a league before this summer would be challenging but not impossible, Fritz said.
It’s not likely that a new team would take the Flyers’ place in the North American League, though, because that league remains in discussions with the potential buyers of the Flyers, Fritz added.
Rich Ehrenreich, the original owner of the 12-year-old Flyers, has been trying to sell the team since announcing in 2009 that he was partnering with actor Kevin Costner to start up the Zion-based Lake County Fielders.
A Flyers spokesman Thursday said the sale of the team should be completed within days.