ELKHART — A Chicago businessman has made an offer to buy the Elkhart Express basketball franchise. The owners are weighing the offer and looking at the team's ties to the community.

Chicago businessman Barry Chessick wants to buy the team franchise for $1.5 million.

Daimon Beathea, the coach and franchise owner, is considering the offer. He says there are many variables in making a decision to sell.

"There’s a lot of stuff to consider,” he said. “Obviously me being a born and raised Elkhart native, there’s a lot of decisions that we [and] myself personally have to go through and think about what's best, not just for our organization, but our community as well."

He says a decision will be made in the next 60 to 90 days.

"I'm going to continue doing business as usual with the Express until we figure out everything that's going into play on what's happening with the sale of the team,” Beathea said.

A number of residents told WSBT News they feel lucky to have a team like this in their community and that it has had a positive effect on the area.

"Most definitely,” said fan Jimmy Berry. “It gives you something to do, go out and see the game because we have no NBA team, and that's as close to an NBA team that we have here."

"It’s very important to a community,” said Pat Twitchell of Elkhart. “Every town needs their own [team].”

"We enjoyed the games real well and I think it was a good thing for Elkhart to have, and I hope we can keep it,” said Elkhart resident Maribelle Sponseller.

The Express will play an exhibition game with a team from the Chinese Basketball Association Friday night at North Side Gym.