Seattle Pilots - Relocation

Relocation

By the end of the season, the Pilots were gasping. Even with Daley's financing, it was obvious that they would not survive long enough to move into their new park without new ownership. It was also obvious that the timetable for a new park would have to be significantly advanced if the Pilots were to survive, as Sick's Stadium was completely inadequate even for temporary use. No credible offers surfaced from Pacific Northwest interests at first, however.

During the offseason, Soriano crossed paths with Milwaukee car salesman Bud Selig, who was leading the effort to bring the majors back to Milwaukee. They met in secret for over a month after the end of the season, and during Game 1 of the World Series, Soriano agreed to sell the Pilots to Selig for $10 million to $13 million (depending on the source). Selig would then move the team to Milwaukee.

However, the owners turned it down in the face of pressure from Washington's two senators, Warren Magnuson and Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson, as well as state attorney general Slade Gorton. MLB asked Soriano and Daley to find a local buyer. Local theater chain owner Fred Danz came forward in October 1969 with a $10 million deal, but it fizzled when the Bank of California called in a $4 million loan it had made to Soriano and Daley for startup costs. In January 1970, Westin Hotels owner Eddie Carlson put together a nonprofit group to buy the team. However, the owners rejected the idea almost out of hand since it would have devalued the other clubs' worth. A more traditional deal came one vote short of approval.