Casino Wants to Shed Trump Brand

CALIFORNIA -- As reported by the Desert Sun: "It might be called Trump: You're fired.

"The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians is seeking an early buy-out of the casino management contract it has with Trump's bankrupt hotel and casino company to run Trump 29 Casino in Coachella.

"The tribe has offered a $6 million buy-out of the contract. The agreement must be approved by the judge handling the Chapter 11 reorganization. There will be a hearing on Jan. 21.

"'The deal is not a deal until or unless the bankruptcy court approves it,' said Gary Kovall, the tribe's attorney.

"Paul Speirs, a spokesman for the tribe, said he's not sure when the Trump name and other trappings would be removed.

"...Trump 29 Services holds a five-year contract with the tribe that expires April 2007, but contains an early buy-out option beginning in April 2005. Under the contract, Trump 29 Services is to be paid an annual fee based on a percentage of net revenues for each year of the term. Management revenue was $2.9 million and $6.1 million for the nine-month periods ending Sept. 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively..."