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MISSOULA, MT - The Missoula Phoenix football team is changing hands. Michael Burks purchased the squad from current owner John Velk. The Missoula businessman also owns the Missoula Maulers junior hockey team, Big Sky Specialized Carriers, the Garden of Read'n, and two Fuel Fitness gyms. He received a Top 500 Entrepreneurs award in 2000.

Burks plans to update the Phoenix logo and its website. As part of the transition, the squad will play its home games at Loyola High School's football field, which will undergo a remodel in early 2011. Burks also plans to use the Maulers bus to transport the Phoenix to road games.

"I felt honored that Velk considered me as a candidate to purchase and take over what he has worked so hard to build from scratch," said Burks. "I plan to use everything that I have learned from the Maulers organization to create a family friendly event that will keep the fans entertained every time they come to a Phoenix football game."