Former Colorado Rockies pitcher Mike Hampton has decided to auction his Evergreen mansion, along with its stand-alone gymnasium, a 40-foot waterfall and equestrian facilities.
Hampton, who now pitches for the Atlanta Braves, will sell the home and approximately 30 acres at an “absolute” auction June 27, according to Gadsden, Ala.-based J.P. King Auction Co., manager of the sale. In an absolute auction, the property goes to the highest bidder regardless of price, with no minimum bid or reserve.
Hampton purchased the home when he was a starting pitcher for the Rockies and added the gymnasium in 2001. He was traded to the Braves in 2003 and now has homes in Atlanta and in central Florida, where he grew up.
“Mike is in his third year with the Atlanta Braves, and there’s no reason for him to have a home this size in Colorado,” said Craig King, president of J.P. King. “It’s a sensational estate, but Mike’s life and work are in Atlanta now, and he’s ready to get it sold and move on.”
DENVER
Qwest objects to FCC on Verizon-MCI deal
Qwest launched its effort to derail the Verizon-MCI merger by filing a protest this week with the Federal Communications Commission.
“Like SBC acquiring AT&T, Verizon is trying to eliminate MCI as a competitive threat in the region,” wrote Qwest, arguing that Verizon after the merger probably would raise phone rates in its 29-state service area.
Qwest walked away from the bidding war for MCI last week. But it argued in the filing that “a Qwest-MCI combination would have been one way to enhance competition with Verizon and SBC.”
Qwest also argued that the FCC should approve the Verizon-MCI merger only if the companies are forced to divest most of their overlapping assets. Qwest has expressed interest in buying these assets as part of its “Plan B” after its attempt to buy MCI failed.
DENVER
Shareholders approve Patina-Noble merger
Shareholders on Wednesday voted to approve the merger between Denver-based Patina Oil & Gas Corp. and Noble Energy Corp. of Houston.
In separate meetings, Patina stockholders approved the proposed merger into a subsidiary of Noble Energy. Noble stockholders voted for the issuance of common stock to Patina stockholders and approved an increase the number of shares of common stock from 100 million to 250 million. The $3.4 billion deal, announced in December, is expected to close Monday.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE
Crown Media data late, but listing stays
Crown Media Holdings Inc. announced Wednesday that Nasdaq will continue to list its stock even though the company has delayed the filing of its annual report and its first-quarter report.
Nasdaq said Crown Media has until June 15 to file the reports. The company believes it will be able to satisfy the June 15 filing requirement.
LONE TREE
Nick-N-Willy’s pizza adds takeout format
Lone Tree-based Nick-N- Willy’s, which has 50 locations, will launch a new format that focuses solely on take-away pizzas rather than the combined take-away and eat-in format, the company said Wednesday.
The company, which sells “Take-N-Bake” pizzas, is launching the format to appeal to franchisees who want smaller stores without dine-in options.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
Scrushy defense rests; ex-exec remains mum
Richard Scrushy’s defense rested Wednesday without the fired HealthSouth Corp. chief taking the stand to deny charges that he directed a $2.7 billion fraud at the operator of rehabilitation hospitals.
After calling 21 witnesses to rebut prosecution claims that Scrushy was at the heart of the scheme, defense lawyers told the judge they were finished with their case.
U.S. District Judge Karon Bowdre told jurors to return Monday for closing arguments and instructions on the law.
SUNNYVALE, Calif.
Cheaper Yahoo music trims rivals’ shares
Yahoo Inc. introduced a cheaper music download service, sparking a plunge in the shares of competitors including Apple Computer Inc., Napster Inc. and RealNetworks Inc.
Yahoo Music Unlimited began Wednesday with an introductory price of $4.99 a month for an annual subscription or $6.99 on a month-by-month basis, less than what RealNetworks and Napster Inc. charge.
DENVER
Gas down at pumps; further drop forecast
Colorado gasoline prices fell by 2 cents a gallon during the past week to an average of $2.21 for self-service regular, according to AAA Colorado.
Metro Denver’s average price is $2.15, with a spot check by AAA showing a range of $2.04 to $2.22.
Of the 10 Colorado cities surveyed, the least expensive is Boulder-Longmont at $2.14. The most expensive is Vail at $2.54.
The survey cited analysts who said a slowing of U.S. economic growth is reducing demand for petroleum, which may push gasoline prices below $2 a gallon.
WASHINGTON
Fed surplus grows, lifting hope for deficit
The federal government recorded a surplus of $57.7 billion in April, including income-tax filings, raising hopes that the budget deficit for this year could show a big improvement.
The Treasury Department reported Wednesday that last month’s surplus was more than three times the $17.6 billion surplus recorded last year and was the biggest monthly surplus since $67.2 billion in 2002.
WASHINGTON
Treasury 5-year notes hit 3-month low yield
The U.S. Treasury sold $15 billion of 5-year notes Wednesday at a yield of 3.89 percent, the lowest in three months. The yield was lower than the 3.892 percent traders forecast in a Bloomberg News survey before the auction.
PEOPLE
Small-business champ; Red Robin departure
The National Federation of Independent Business, Colorado’s largest small-business advocacy group, named Jim Noon, owner of Centennial Container, as the state’s “Small-Business Champion” … Edward T. Harvey will resign from Greenwood Village- based Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc.’s board of directors in August.
