Guenther: Khan, Rams a good fit

Shahid Khan has expressed interest in acquiring a professional sports team for a while, University of Illinois Athletic Director Ron Guenther said Thursday.

"He's a very competitive guy," Guenther said. "He talked for some time about owning a professional franchise.

"He was very inquisitive about the business," the athletic director added. "He asked a lot of questions. I know he made contact with a number of owners to talk about the business of professional sports."

Guenther said Khan was particularly interested in acquiring an area team.

"He looked for something local. St. Louis is one of three (in the NFL) if you consider Chicago and Indianapolis. St. Louis made the most sense in that it was more than rumor that it might become available," he said.

Guenther said he had not talked with Khan since the announcement, but had e-mailed him congratulations.

"He's been a wonderful friend to the (Division of Intercollegiate Athletics) and the engineering (school) who has stayed involved in the university at almost every level," Guenther said. "He and (wife) Ann are philanthropic in nature. We're fortunate to have a friendship."

Does it mean the Rams, who have practiced in the past at Memorial Stadium, will return to Champaign-Urbana at some point for practice or a preseason game?

"I would not think so," Guenther said.

"It's obviously good for St. Louis because part of the deal is that they're staying in St. Louis."

Guenther and Khan have had a business relationship for some time.

The groundbreaking for the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex was in April 2007. The additional courts have allowed Illinois to bid to host the NCAA Championships in men's and women's tennis.

"One, he wanted to increase the amenities available to our community. And by adding to the (tennis) facility, he knew we'd be able to compete for (hosting) national championships that we could not have done with the old situation," Guenther said.

"The second thing he brought up was that he liked investing in something that would be able to maintain excellence. Certainly our tennis program has done that."

"This is a national story," Guenther added. "There are only so many owners in the NFL. It's one of those coveted properties."

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