WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced at a Monday press conference that current local owner Steve Ruud has purchased majority ownership of the franchise from Horn Chen.
The change in ownership signifies that the Wingnuts are now completely owned and operated by local investors. Ruud is the owner of R.A. Ruud and Son, Inc., a 48-year old concrete company in Wichita.
"We're all excited about this", said Ruud. "I think we have a great ownership group that really cares and is involved in the well-being of the team. The opportunity arose for me to get more involved and I jumped on it. I'm there at the ballpark every night, and I will continue to be there to support the team."
The rest of the Wingnuts' local ownership remains intact, including Gary Austerman of Klenda, Mitchell, Austerman, and Zuercher, L.L.C., Nick Easter of National Catastrophe Restoration, Inc., Dan Waller of Conco Construction, Detroit Tigers' pitcher Nate Robertson, and Wingnuts' General Manager Josh Robertson.
"This is a great day for our organization and our fans", said General Manager Josh Robertson. "Very few minor league teams are 100 percent locally owned, and I know that all of us are fully committed to bringing this town the championship that it deserves. Another priority for us is to improve our facilities, and those projects are already underway, beginning with the rennovation of our concession stands."
"I've seen the changes over the years, and one thing that hasn't been changed is the concessions", said Ruud. "We've outgrown them each year and I think it will make a world of difference when the rennovations are finished."
The Wingnuts have enjoyed great success at the box office, averaging nearly 3,500 fans per game during their first two years of existence, more than double what the Wichita Wranglers averaged in their final seasons. In 2009, Wichita went a league-best 58-38 during the regular season and made the playoffs for the first time in their history. The Wingnuts recently re-signed Kevin Hooper, the American Association's 2009 Manager of the Year, to a two-year contract extension.
Prior to the announcement, Horn Chen, who is the sole owner of the Wichita Thunder hockey team, had owned 55 percent of the Wingnuts since the team's inception in the fall of 2007. Chen will continue his ownership of the Thunder.
Wichita opens the 2010 season sometime in mid-May and also hosts the 2010 American Association All-Star Game in July. For season ticket information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625.
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