By the time the 3 o’clock press conference began Wednesday afternoon at Safeco Field, the news that Howard Lincoln would be retiring from day-to-day operations as CEO of the Mariners and that board member John Stanton would take over was expected. Lincoln threw a curveball, however, announcing a major ownership change as well.
“Nintendo of America today announced the planned sale of a majority of its interest in the Seattle Mariners to other members of the current ownership group,” Lincoln read from the press release. “Under the plan, Nintendo of America will retain a 10 percent stake in the team, while the remainder of its holdings will be sold to other members of First Avenue Entertainment LLLP (FAE).