Tag Archives: J. Kent Friedman

New Sports Authority CEO hired

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

The changeover is complete. Ryan Walsh was hired Friday as the CEO of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, tasked with overseeing the city’s largest sports facilities and events, after a unanimous vote by the agency’s board of directors. The move … Continue reading →

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New Sports Authority board chair

Posted on October 29, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Noting for the record. Harris County-Houston Sports Authority chairman J. Kent Friedman is stepping down, he confirmed to the Chronicle on Friday morning. Mayor John Whitmire requested Friedman be replaced by Juan C. Garcia as chair, according to city council agenda documents. Garcia’s confirmation … Continue reading →

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New Sports Authority CEO

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Not sure what to make of this. The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority on Friday fired CEO Janis Burke after 18 years with the organization, a high-profile termination that came hours after Mayor John Whitmire and Houston’s sports executives gathered at … Continue reading →

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The Sports Authority at 20

Posted on September 24, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

A few stadia, a little mission creep. Where has the time gone? As the Harris County Houston Sports Authority celebrated its 20th anniversary Monday night with a reception for current and former directors and board members, it moves into its … Continue reading →

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Lee’s campaign finances

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Among other things, Commissioner El Franco Lee leaves behind a lot of money in his campaign finance account. When Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee died unexpectedly Sunday, he left friends and allies in mourning, political hopefuls jockeying for his … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

And now we have a lawsuit over HERO repeal ballot language

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, for crying out loud. Last month the Texas Supreme Court suspended the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, more commonly known as HERO, and ordered City Council to either repeal the non-discrimination measure or put it up for a public vote. … Continue reading →

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Appeals court revives MBIA lawsuit against Sports Authority

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go again. A lawsuit against the agency that pays the debt on Houston’s sports stadiums is back on following an appeals court ruling. Last April, a state district court judge ruled that a bond insurer could not sue … Continue reading →

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Someone attempted to do something about MBIA and the Sports Authority

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

And others expressed their disapproval about it. What the “it” is, and who it was that was trying to do “it” remain unclear. A surprise legislative maneuver has local government lobbyists scrambling to defend the agency that pays the debt … Continue reading →

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Sports Authority gets sued

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

MBIA, the company that insures the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority’s bonds, has filed a lawsuit to force the Sports Authority to collect more money to pay its obligations. If MBIA must cover payment shortfalls and cannot reimburse itself from the … Continue reading →

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The Sports Authority’s finances are back in the news

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I still have no idea whether this is something we need to worry about or not. The firm that insures the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority’s $1 billion in bonds – sold to finance the homes of the Texans, Rockets and … Continue reading →

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Sports Authority will not impede Astros move to AL

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

One of the odd side stories that came out after MLB officially approved the sale of the Astros to Jim Crane was this contention by attorney Kevin W. Yankowsky of Fulbright & Jaworski that the Astros’ lease at Minute Maid … Continue reading →

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MLB approves Astros sale

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s official. Jim Crane’s $610 million purchase of the Astros from Drayton McLane was unanimously approved by Major League Baseball’s owners this morning. All that remains is a formal closing of the transaction, which likely will take place early next … Continue reading →

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More Sports Authority woes

Posted on April 24, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority is dealing with more financial issues that may require it to dip way into its cash reserves. Lawyers for the authority and MBIA now are disputing whether Swiss bank UBS gave proper notice of its … Continue reading →

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The Sports Authority wants you to know it’s working hard for you

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I feel like the Chron should send a bill for its standard advertising rates to the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority for running this op-ed by its chair, J. Kent Friedman. It’s one part victory lap for negotiating the Dynamo Stadium … Continue reading →

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Here comes the Sports Authority

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Ready or not, here they are to ride to the rescue. The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority agreed Monday to talk to city and county officials about its possible involvement in a soccer stadium for the Houston Dynamo. The authority will … Continue reading →

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Sports Authority to the rescue?

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

After many months in limbo, there may finally be a way forward for Dynamo Stadium, though it’s a somewhat convoluted path. The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority board is scheduled on Monday to discuss becoming the landlord for a professional soccer … Continue reading →

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