Calgary Roughnecks owner Brad Banister has put his team up for sale, the Calgary Herald reported today.

Banister, who has not threatened to move or fold the Roughnecks, blames the growing burden of being a small-time owner surrounded by sports empires.

"People who do this for reasons other than [pursuing a] hobby should really be [operating the business]," Banister said.

"I've become aware that I'm going to be a small fish as more NHL teams get involved. I'm going to be so small I won't be able to compete. I think the foot has outgrown the shoe."

Banister acknowledged that he has been in talks with the NHL's Calgary Flames, a move which would continue a pattern of hockey teams taking over NLL franchises.

Six of the ten active NLL franchises are now affiliated with either the local NHL team or their home arena (or both), including all three which relocated this summer (Anaheim, Arizona, and San Jose).

"I don't know if [the Flames will] step forward or not. They would be the appropriate people to own it," Banister said. "It's too much, it's wearing on me. I do it all here, and I can't do it all anymore."

Banister purchased the Roughnecks as an expansion franchise in March 2001, and he has handled much of the front office business himself. Prior to the team's first-ever game, he took over as general manager and has held the position ever since.

"We have had some discussions [about buying the Roughnecks]," Calgary Flames president Ken King said. "They are a significant tenant for us [at the Pengrowth Saddledome]. It's conceivable under the right conditions we would look more closely at it. I think that would be logical."

The Herald reports that Banister has invested $4 million (Canadian) in the team. He would recoup just about all of that investment if he can sell the team at the current expansion franchise fee ($3 million American, currently equal to $3.96 million Canadian).

"Teams that have sold have realized a significant profit," NLL commissioner Jim Jennings said. "Now might be a good time to get out."

However, the league does not announce franchise sale prices, so it is difficult to judge how much Banister should expect to receive for the Roughnecks.

It is also unclear whether Banister, who has vowed to continue running the team until it is sold, would try to retain a minority ownership role with the team.