| Ryan said it's still business as usual for Rangers |
|
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -Texas team president Nolan Ryan said Friday that the club is not hamstrung by owner Tom Hicks' financial difficulties, a day after a report that Major League Baseball loaned millions to the team owner. ``There haven't been any restrictions put on us,'' Ryan said. ``I just think as we get closer to the trade deadline, we'll see what we might be able to be put together. If we think it is in our best interest, then obviously we'll take it to Tom.'' Yahoo! Sports, citing a major league source, reported Thursday a loan was made to Hicks Sports Group and that the amount was believed to be for less than $15 million. Hicks said in May he was willing to sell controlling interest in the franchise. Earlier this year, Hicks Sports Group defaulted on $525 million in loans backed by the Rangers and the NHL's Dallas Stars, the other U.S. sports franchise Hicks owns. hoo! story. ``I don't expect to see anything happen during the course of the season,'' said Ryan, who has been rumored to be part of a group expressing interest in purchasing Rangers ownership. ``If there's an ownership change, I think it'll be in the offseason or the spring. That will be my expectation.'' Texas began the season with a payroll of $68.6 million, 22nd among the 30 big league teams. The Rangers entered play Friday a game behind in the Los Angeles Angels in the American League West. ``I don't look into it much because it's not my problem,'' Texas reliever Eddie Guardado said. ``I was told by a veteran player when I was young not to worry about the things you can't control.'' Two years ago, Hicks combined with Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. to buy Liverpool of the English Premier League through a different entity, Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd. It has been negotiating to refinance $574 million of debt before a July 24 deadline. Gillett agreed last month to sell the Canadiens, the Gillett Entertainment Centre and the Bell Centre. --- Freelance writer Ken Sins contributed to this report. |



The IRL 2010 season kicks off on Sunday with the inagural Sao Paulo Indy 300 from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Check out the odds for the first event of the 2010 season.
The World Golf Championships hosts the 2010 CA Championship beginning Thursday from Miami, Florida. Check out the odds for this event.
Manny Pacquiao returns to action on Saturday, March 13 when he faces Joshua Clottey for the WBO Welterweight title. Check out the odds for this fight.
The 2010 Formula 1 season begins on Sunday, March 14. Check out the odds on which driver will win this season's championship.
See who's favored to win American Idol Season 9, which will be holding its Finals Round March 17 through May 26.
The 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament begins in a few weeks. Check out the odds for which teams is favored to win this year's national championship. 