Thrashers sale, relocation to Winnipeg in the works: report
Gunnair @ Mon May 16, 2011 3:59 pm
$1:
ATLANTA — A potential move by the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg is gathering steam.
On Monday afternoon, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that negotiations have begun between the owners of the Thrashers — the Atlanta Spirit group — and True North Sports and Entertainment on the sale of the National Hockey League team.
The newspaper credits its source as being “a person familiar with the NHL’s sale process.” If the sale goes through, the team could relocate to Winnipeg in time for next season.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email to Postmedia News that the league had no comment at this point. Atlanta Spirit co-owner Bruce Levenson remained tight-lipped as well.
“I have never confirmed nor denied specific parties we have been talking to in regards to a possible sale of the Thrashers,” Levenson told the Journal-Constitution Monday.
True North spokesman Scott Brown told Postmedia News: “I can’t comment on any speculation like that or today’s report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.”
The purchase price for the Thrashers has been reported to be as much as $170 million US. The NHL would receive a relocation fee from the sale.
Time is an issue.
The NHL is in the process of working out next season’s schedule. The league typically releases the schedule during the Stanley Cup final, which is slated to begin in the next two weeks.
The Atlanta ownership group, which also owns the Philips Arena and National Basketball Association’s Atlanta Hawks — has reportedly been searching for a buyer for a number of years.
The Journal-Constitution spoke with co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. in February, at which time he said there was a ‘sense of urgency’ to find an answer for the franchise’s money woes and that relocation was a possibility.
The Atlanta Spirit has reported in court documents that it is losing an estimated at US$20-million each season. Overall, the group report losses of $130-million since the team was purchased in 2003.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, speaking on NHL Live radio last week, said the situation regarding franchise relocation comes down to ownership.
“It’s the reason we ended up leaving Quebec City and Winnipeg,” Bettman said. “Those teams moved when nobody wanted to own the club there anymore. If you get to that position, where somebody is not prepared to own the club anymore and you can’t find a new perspective purchaser, then you are really between a rock and a hard place.
“We know that the current ownership of the Thrashers has been trying for a long period of time to try and sell the franchise and they haven’t been able to do it. … If they can’t find local ownership, then we might all have to deal with that. But I know they have tried very hard and I assume that they continue to try very hard.”
Winnipeg hasn’t had an NHL franchise since 1996 when the Jets relocated to Phoenix and became the Coyotes.
If the sale is completed, Atlanta would be losing an NHL franchise for the second time. The city lost the Flames to Calgary in 1980.
An expansion team was awarded to the city on June 25, 1997, named the Thrashers eight months later, and began play in the 1999-2000 season.
Thanos @ Mon May 16, 2011 4:04 pm
Be real nice to see the league's southern expansion suddenly start to fall apart like the house of cards it truly is.
Gunnair @ Mon May 16, 2011 4:25 pm
Thanos Thanos:
Be real nice to see the league's southern expansion suddenly start to fall apart like the house of cards it truly is.
Agreed. Fingers crossed for the Winnipeg Jets!
ShepherdsDog @ Mon May 16, 2011 4:28 pm
I wouldn't bett on it .
Freakinoldguy @ Mon May 16, 2011 7:33 pm
Love the subtle dig at a certain vetically challenged NHL Commisionaire. 
rickc @ Mon May 16, 2011 7:37 pm
I would not say that all of the southern expansion is a house of cards. Tampa Bay looked for real the other night when they were spanking my Bruins, not to mention that they have a Stanley Cup championship. Hockey seems to have taken roots in Carolina as well. I understand the sentiment. I grew up in the south,and never seen a hockey game there. Not too many kids playing pick up games on the ponds down south,good way to drown. Some southern cities (like Tampa) are major relocation centers for northeners. They move south for the weather and cheap prices. They miss thier hockey,and are willing to pay top dollar to see major league play. Hockey can work in these cities. The people who live there,and their children will buy tickets to games. Hockey does not seem to work in Atlanta. Atlanta has always been the largest city in the south. It is mainly comprised of southeners. It will always be the capitol of the American southland. Southeners will[ probaly] always be in the majority in Atlanta. Atlanta could not keep the flames, and it appears that they can not keep the Thrashers. I will shead no tears if the Thrashers move to a city that truley wants,and supports a hockey team.
raydan @ Mon May 16, 2011 7:41 pm
NHL and Winnipeg or Québec City... I'll believe it when they play their first game.
bootlegga @ Mon May 16, 2011 8:28 pm
Gunnair Gunnair:
Thanos Thanos:
Be real nice to see the league's southern expansion suddenly start to fall apart like the house of cards it truly is.
Agreed. Fingers crossed for the Winnipeg Jets!
If The Thrashers moved, they wouldn't be called the Jets because the Phoenix franchise still (I believe) owns the rights to the Jets name.
Still, it would be good to see another Canadian team in the league. Given Bettman's aversion to new teams in Canada (as Jim Balsille can attest), it would be the absolute last resort.
ShepherdsDog @ Mon May 16, 2011 8:37 pm
The Manitoba Voyageurs?
Gunnair @ Mon May 16, 2011 8:39 pm
ShepherdsDog ShepherdsDog:
The Manitoba Voyageurs?
The Winnipeg Flood!
Curtman @ Mon May 16, 2011 8:43 pm
$1:
The Atlanta Spirit has reported in court documents that it is losing an estimated at US$20-million each season. Overall, the group report losses of $130-million since the team was purchased in 2003.
Ughhh.... There goes the road repair budget again.
DanSC @ Mon May 16, 2011 9:09 pm
Never bet against Hotlanta
ShepherdsDog @ Mon May 16, 2011 9:15 pm
The Manitoba Swarm...and they can use a mosquito as their mascot.
rickc @ Mon May 16, 2011 9:53 pm
DanSC DanSC:
Never bet against Hotlanta
If there were a sportsbook that would take the bet,I would bet against Hotlanta keeping the Thrashers. Its just not a hockey town. Look at LA. Second biggest city in the U.S., and no football team.Very large city yes, but every sport takes a back seat to the Lakers. Thats all they care about in LA. Atlanta is a baseball town first and foremost. The Braves are their first,and only true love.If they could keep only two pro teams,they might keep the Falcons as well. Atlanta is a very large and important city,and an economic powerhouse as well. I just do not think of hockey when I think about Atlanta.
Benn @ Mon May 16, 2011 9:55 pm
ShepherdsDog ShepherdsDog:
I wouldn't bett on it .
No kidding, stop the agony of hearing of rumours and false hopes of those who could not manage to keep a team here in the first place. Every bloody day on the radio on the the way to work there is every possible long shot rumour or fabrication egging on the die hards. I'd like a team here too but we could not support it before and nothings really changed in Winnipeg economically to keep one here now.
Best one I heard today on the radio was a morning show guy saying he believes the Thrashers deal is as good as done because he's heard nothing about it...... Morons, get over it already.
As mentioned already, I won't believe it until the wheels touch down.