Clan-Members » im back, as well.Asked if Edwards future was

Speculation is mounting that Formula One is about to be revamped by a U.S. takeover that could bring new life and a higher profile for a sport that is struggling to attract new fans.Media reports suggest that F1s largest and controlling shareholder, the hedge fund CVC Capital Partners, is preparing to sell the business to U.S. media conglomerate Liberty Media for around $8.5 billion; more than four times CVCs original outlay in 2006.At last weekends Italian Grand Prix, Formula Ones commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone met with CVC co-chairman Donald Mackenzie, whose rare appearance in the paddock fueled speculation of an imminent deal. When speaking at Monza, however, the 85-year-old Ecclestone would not confirm whether or not a sale is going ahead.Liberty, a multi-billion dollar, mass-media company is run by 75-year-old John Malone. He is ranked 184th on the Forbes list of billionaires -- 69th in the U.S. -- with a net worth of $7.1 billion, and Forbes credits him as being the nations biggest individual landowner, with over two million acres across seven states.Malone would not be a newcomer to the high-end world of sport, since Liberty owns Major League Baseball side Atlanta Braves.Reportedly, with Malone in charge, F1s new chairman would become Chase Carey, the executive vice-chairman of 21st Century Fox.Despite its American base, Ecclestone was skeptical as to whether a takeover by Liberty would increase F1s success in the United States, which currently hosts only one of 21 races on the calendar and has no drivers competing in the championship. The only U.S. representative on the grid is the U.S.-backed Haas team, which arrived in F1 this season and has done reasonably well thanks to experienced French driver Romain Grosjean.To open the American market you need to have 10 races in America, sell tickets cheap and have a huge number of hamburger stands -- but then it would not be F1 any longer, Ecclestone told F1.com, the sports official website. But if all that scenario of the takeover is happening, then they can do what they want.CVC is F1s biggest shareholder with a 35.5 percent stake, followed by U.S. fund manager Waddell & Reed with just over 20 percent. Ecclestone has 5.3 percent stake in F1 but his family Bambino Trust has a further 8.5 percent, rounding up his involvement up to about 14 percent.Ecclestones own position in the event of a Liberty buyout is another subject of interest in the F1 paddock.When asked about it, the British billionaire replied in his trademark enigmatic style: I havent got a clue.Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who welcomed Libertys interest, could not foresee a near-term exit for Ecclestone even under new management.It could be a really exciting deal for Formula One if it happens, Horner told reporters at Monza.But for a new group to come in without him being there would be very difficult, so Id assume hell be around for some time.Like Horner, Toto Wolff, the Mercedes head of motorsport, is enthusiastic about the prospect of a change of ownership -- despite being a close ally of Ecclestone.Wolff, who was interviewed alongside Ecclestone by F1.com, highlighted that the sports longstanding business boss has built an empire and we are benefiting from it.However, Wolff is also aware that a new investor could boost F1 -- which is in a transition period as it tries to win back flagging TV audiences, battles against falling crowds and plans to implement new rule changes for 2017 designed at increasing speed and overtaking.Veterans like Jenson Button, Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso are edging close to retirement, and a wave of talented young drivers, led by 18-year-old Dutch star Max Verstappen and 19-year-old Frenchman Esteban Ocon, is breaking through.Along with fresh investment, Wolff thinks the sport would also benefit from U.S. expertise in promoting sports in a digital world. By contrast, Ecclestone has been reluctant to open F1 up more to social media.There are things we can learn from the American way, particularly in the digital areas, Wolff said. They will have a close look and then analyze what they think needs to be changed and what needs to remain.There is a reason why these guys can afford to buy this. Custom Blues T-shirts . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. Authentic Custom Blues Jersey . LOUIS -- Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice, lessening the odds hell be ready for the St. http://www.custombluesjersey.com/ .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to halt their longest losing streak of the season when they host the struggling New York Islanders in tonights clash at the Bell Centre. Custom Al Macinnis Jersey . The phone hearing is scheduled for 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. Winchester, who was not penalized for the hit, appeared to make contact with Kellys head early in the first period of Thursdays game in Boston. Custom Blues Jerseys . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings do not necessarily have a one-size-fits-all approach to discipline within their organization, and coach Mike Zimmer says he isnt aiming for one.Zimmer said Wednesday the team required defensive coordinator George Edwards to make a huge monetary commitment, among other things, after he was charged with misdemeanor DWI in May. Edwards pleaded guilty to misdemeanor careless driving on Aug. 30, and the St. Paul Pioneer Press first published the news of Edwards incident on Tuesday, the same day practice squad guard Isame Faciane was released for a misdemeanor DWI charge during the teams bye week.The Vikings were criticized in some circles for dealing differently with their defensive coordinator than they did the guard. But Zimmer said the difference in punishment was because of how differently Edwards and Faciane handled their respective DWIs, not because of the differences in their standing within the organization.Every situation is different, and I dont really care about being consistent; I care about being right, Zimmer said. When this happened with George, George was given a lot of things to do, including a huge monetary commitment that he had to make, and he fulfilled all his obligations. This last situation [with Faciane], I told the players in the meetting the day they left to make sure they stay out of trouble, do the right things.dddddddddddd I told them again [on] the field when they left. I had the coaches text them and make sure to remind them to stay out of trouble. Then, when this did happen, on the very same day, he was told to call me twice and did not call me.So every situation is different, and I like Isame. If he fulfills his obligations, Im not opposed to bringing him back, as well.Asked if Edwards future was in doubt beyond this season, Zimmer said, Well, if he messes up again, his future will be [in doubt]. But right now, hes fulfilled all his commitments.Edwards blood alcohol content was 0.11 at the time of his arrest, over Minnesotas legal limit of 0.08. He was fined $1,000 and placed on a one-year probation after pleading guilty, and the Vikings said in a Tuesday statement that Edwards notified the organization immediately after his arrest.Faciane, whose blood alcohol content was 0.13 when he arrested in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, last Wednesday, was charged with fourth-degree DWI, driving without a valid license and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content over the states legal limit. ' ' '