Updated: New ownership(s) in the works?
At this point, here is what I can report on the ongoing Thrashers ownership issue. According to people familiar with the situation there are two investment groups that are progressing in an effort to buy the Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena and will keep the Thrashers in Atlanta.
A deal is not close in either case as proper paperwork has not been filed to begin serious negotiations. However, at least one group has met with the officials from the NBA and the NHL. The meeting with the NHL was Thursday.
In one of the prospective groups there is one main investor with others in the group, some of whom are from Atlanta. The group is not only interested in purchasing the three properties but there is a “development element” to the deal, possibly involving the area around the arena.
The Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena have been for sale and groups have expressed interest in buying the Thrashers and moving them to another city. Canadian cities Winnipeg, Quebec and Hamilton have long been rumored to be a possible destination.
As far as a timetable on such a deal, according to sources it would take at least a month to complete their due diligence on the proposal and at least another month to complete negotiations.
This is not the group involved with Atlanta native Stephen Rollins. That group is said to still be interested but a formal bid has not been made at this point.
I am continuing to work on this story in my best effort to make sure it is 100 percent accurate. Understand that I am only reporting that two new group have expressed interest in purchasing the teams and arena from the Atlanta Spirit and is progressing in its effort. There is a long way to go but it appears that the situation has progressed beyond the point of someone “kicking the tires.”
Stay tuned.
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231 comments Add your comment
Smoothie
February 25th, 2011
10:19 am
“there is a “development element” to the deal, possibly involving the area around the arena.”
Fantastic! Woo hoo! Hope this comes to fruition!!
J(Z)
February 25th, 2011
10:19 am
Baby steps. Thanks for giving us potentially good news C-Viv!!!!!!
SomaAtl95
February 25th, 2011
10:21 am
Thanks Chris. Once the A$G is gone hopefully the drama leaves the arena for a good long while!
Telfo
February 25th, 2011
10:22 am
the fact that the prospective group has already met with the NBA and NHL seems like a very positive sign that they are serious
Dick Dickson
February 25th, 2011
10:24 am
Please let this come to fruition. Please don’t let ASG screw this up like everything else they’ve touched.
timthebrave
February 25th, 2011
10:24 am
I hope
Jake
February 25th, 2011
10:26 am
Hopefully the “development element” will include finding some guys who can play hockey.
Alan R.
February 25th, 2011
10:27 am
It’s also an indicator as to why Bettman continues to say there are “no plans to do anything” in regards to Atlanta.
Greg
February 25th, 2011
10:29 am
“Development element” Does anyone else read this as Jacoby is looking to buy the Thrashers? I like that thought, because they would be seriously invested in making sure all old ASG entities were successful.
jp
February 25th, 2011
10:29 am
Geez, you mean the Hawks would get new owners too that wouldn’t be afraid of paying the “luxury’tax” which almost every team that’s competing for a NC is doing right now?
Man the Spirit Group sucked. Why couldn’t they just let me run the franchise?
Jay
February 25th, 2011
10:30 am
OMG this is great news. Once the teams are sold we need to rescind permission for SAG to enter our state!
kracker
February 25th, 2011
10:31 am
“there is a “development element” to the deal, possibly involving the area around the arena.”
This could mean goodbye to The Gulch area, where the Thrashers tailgates happen – every Saturday and Sunday home game. And Friday, too, if it is a holiday.
boots
February 25th, 2011
10:32 am
Development of the area is key to having people feel better about seeing the Hawks at home. This city is big enough for the NHL, and the fan base is here. This current ownership group is dominated by egos and lacks common sense or any understanding of how to run a professional sports franchise.
kracker
February 25th, 2011
10:32 am
Jay, did you mean ASG….or SOB lol
Anonymous
February 25th, 2011
10:33 am
Check your spelling: “There is one main investor[s] with others in the group, some of whom are from Atlanta.
JB
February 25th, 2011
10:33 am
75 bucks to see an NBA game…..You’re kidding, right? Horrible investment. It’s a money pit.
Sage of Bluesland
February 25th, 2011
10:33 am
I look forward to the day that the incompetent buffoon Don Waddell is no longer defrauding the fans of the Atlanta Thrashers….
Darkhorse
February 25th, 2011
10:36 am
Thanks for the investigative journalism Chris! Keep digging……
Hopefully someone that understands hockey and the fickle sports region of metro Atlanta and surrounding will be able to buy the team.
I’m not a big Hawks fan anymore, but I hope for nothing but steller success for them also. They both need to be rid of the ASG.
Saabotager
February 25th, 2011
10:36 am
C’mon folks nothing being reported here.
Ed Zachary
February 25th, 2011
10:37 am
Another group of investors – wonder when they will start suing each other.
moriler
February 25th, 2011
10:37 am
Sayonara Atlanta S***head Group.
Thrashered
February 25th, 2011
10:37 am
Another distraction while the moving vans are enroute to load up and move the Thrashers to Canada. Think about it. What good businessman would want the Thrashers? Why? They are a money pit and will never be successful in ATL
Brew
February 25th, 2011
10:39 am
Love for the ASG to sell. Love for the Thrashers to stay. Make it so.
TheManMike
February 25th, 2011
10:39 am
….I spy with my golden eye an idea of a city with all of it’s sports teams possessing the same Mascot. The Atlanta Hawks, Thrashers, Dream, Braves and our new MLS Team will all hence forth be The Atlanta Falcons. Aurthur Blank has comprised a crew to go in on this historic event and bring the lime light to ATL once again…..
…or – It could be the Russians….
Anonymous
February 25th, 2011
10:40 am
Maybe this should be a requirement for all professional leagues: No sale/purchase of a franchise be executed without a 51% majority interest owner. This will allow decisions to be made without having to get the permission of the majority of an ownership group in which no one has a controlling interest.
Smoothie
February 25th, 2011
10:40 am
Well, I got blocked, sorry for the “language”…but yes, the Gulch is an absolute travesty and needs to get completely overhauled and made over. Bring in Ty Pennington!
BlueThrash
February 25th, 2011
10:40 am
I hope it means they will create an area around the arena that is fan friendly. I am not expecting an owner quite like Terry Pegula (the man, a billionaire, wept when he met Gilbert Perrault…but what true hockey fan wouldn’t, right?), but it would be nice to have someone who at least appreciates the sport and its fans.
Dawg A
February 25th, 2011
10:41 am
ASG is a joke! Please sell the team and end this disaster! And hopefully the new group will clean up the mess and do it by wiping out everything these clowns have done!!!
Jeremy H
February 25th, 2011
10:41 am
Somewhere, in Winnipeg, there are children. And they are crying.
kracker
February 25th, 2011
10:42 am
A group is OK, as long as one person has a controlling interest. For my part, I would wish it to be the hockey person. It would be nice to see the Thrashers taken care of first, instead of last, for a change.
Telfo
February 25th, 2011
10:43 am
I realize Thrashered is a troll but i will respond anyway.
the value of the Thrashers is at an all time low at probably around 140 million or so. any decent owner could easily add 50 million to that value is a couple of years if managed the right way. you buy assets like this when they are “on sale” so to speak.
Blow Up this "team"
February 25th, 2011
10:43 am
I HAVE A DREAM – that one day the Thrashers have committed ownership.
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
10:43 am
Great news so far as keeping this team in Atlanta. I will remain CAUTIOUSLY optimistic (boardering skepticism) about another group owning all assets until details surface regarding the make-up of said group. Nuff said for now and I believe cynicism to some degree is 100% warranted when talking about a single ownership congolomerate holding several assests.
Thanks for the heads up on this Viv and not trumping this thing up, very responsible journalism.
I will be at Le Bulb with the boy to try and show some promise to these cats.
LET’S GO THRASHERS!!!
litz
February 25th, 2011
10:44 am
Kracker – if the “Multi-Mode Rail Terminal” (or whatever it’s called this week) ever gets built, the Gulch will go away anyways … it’s the only place in the downtown area you can build such a facility.
(in fact, Atlanta’s old Union Station was located there; the parking lots are the old railyard)
Now, if they do so, where they film future episodes of The Walking Dead is beyond me …
Back to topic …
As for Chris’ article … I’m so darned jaded w/ASG and the Thrashers right now, that I’m really – honestly – not willing to take an opinion.
When the deal is signed, and the ASG is sent packing … maybe then I’ll believe it can really happen.
atlthrasher
February 25th, 2011
10:45 am
Hockey can succeed here as long as you have the right type of ownership willing to commit to it. Look at Tampa, Carolina, and Washington. All of those cities came into question at some point. The owners DID something about that and they have flourished. Oh, what DID the owners do? spend money and build winners.
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
10:45 am
One too many O’s in con-glom-er-ate, there Iron.
JSS
February 25th, 2011
10:45 am
I rarely post on your blog Mr. Vivlamore (I avidly read it daily). However the fact that you mentioned the possible commercial development deal caught my attention. Not to be in rumor business, but as you were digging deeper into your reporting; Have you found that members of the possible new ownership group are the same as those who were prominent in Vine City, AUC (Atlanta University Center), and the Centennial Park area redevelopment?
I hope that you folks finally get your wish in terms of new “local” owners.
K
February 25th, 2011
10:45 am
kracker: didn’t you read the story on the Falcons and their new open-air stadium? the Gulch is already on somebody’s radar to go away. hope it doesn’t. closest cheap parking to Philips. well, for Thrashers games anyway.
Tom Lysiak
February 25th, 2011
10:46 am
This will bring out the Canadian trolls. You know who you are….
Ken Smartz
February 25th, 2011
10:47 am
“Somewhere, in Winnipeg, there are children. And they are crying.”
Probably because it’s -40 degrees and not because of what’s happening in Atlanta . . . unless you taunt them to come this way. As I’ve said before, I hope this is a positive development for the Thrashers.
Sanjeev
February 25th, 2011
10:48 am
Just got rid of the disaster called the ASG (and take Wadell with you I’ll pay for his moving expenses) and hockey can survive in Atlanta. The product is the problem not the fans.
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
10:48 am
I apologize for not proof-reading to my possible detractors. Please hammer don’t hurt me, I see em too.
Thrashered
February 25th, 2011
10:49 am
Again, there will be many stories pop up as to parties interested in buying the Thrashers. The team is a failure, the location of the arena is a failure, the ownership is a failure and there are too many other sports in GA that people are interested in. The Thrashers are irrelevant. Adios. May they live long and prosper in Winnipeg, QC or Hamilton.
chalkdawg4
February 25th, 2011
10:50 am
I was just in Memphis on Beale Street. It was a really cool 3-4 block party area. I was there early Sunday afternoon and there was already a lot of activity and live music with good food and drinks. The Fed Ex arena where the Grizzlies play was a block away. I was really jealous and wished that Atlanta could have an area like that vs. the sterile, antiseptic feel we have around Phillips and the dome.
BlueSpark
February 25th, 2011
10:50 am
C-Vivs: do you have a source besides Kincade? You don’t have to reveal the identity; a simple yes or no would satisfy me.
R. Stroz
February 25th, 2011
10:51 am
Back to the Phoenix blogs Winnipeg trolls.
Kano
February 25th, 2011
10:51 am
I hope it happens. I’d like to support the Hawks and Thrashers, but I won’t put a dime of my money into either of them so long as ASG owns them. I’d rather see the franchises moved than slowly and inevitably run into the ground by these clowns.
da' boomer
February 25th, 2011
10:52 am
Please tell me Don Waddell will not be a part of any package unless of course he is actually in a Fedex box being shipped to some 3rd world country…like Winnipeg
Dana Blankenhorn
February 25th, 2011
10:53 am
It never made sense for Philips’ owners to sell one of their lead tenants.
Philalamo
February 25th, 2011
10:53 am
Thrashers are gone. Adios, or should I say au revoir.
Tripple Lindy
February 25th, 2011
10:54 am
I hope this is leading somewhere positive and if its true, the best part is all those obnoxious Canadian bloggers and “journalists,” who based in nothing have been saying its only a matter of time before they get the Thrashers, will have to eat their words, eh?
GaDawg
February 25th, 2011
10:55 am
Enter your comments here
BlueThrash
February 25th, 2011
10:57 am
“Probably because it’s -40 degrees [in Winnipeg]”
celsius or fahrenheit?
GaDawg
February 25th, 2011
10:57 am
Hope this happens soon. Maybe new ownership group can convince Dwight Howard to move his services to the ATL. That would put some fannys in the seats.
10-Year Thrashers Season Ticket Holder
February 25th, 2011
10:58 am
As a 10-year Thrasher STH who is simply BEYOND sick of being lied to as a paying customer, I just want all of this drama to finally end, one way or another.
Win or lose, losing mostly, I have always been there and poured by heart into this time. I am emotionally drained and simply don’t have the desire to keep chasing those love of mine which keeps spurning my affection.
Don’t let the Canadian border hit you in the 5-Hole on your way up to Winnipeg, Thrashers!
Tweets that mention Prospective buyer for Hawks, Thrashers, Philips Arena in works | Atlanta Thrashers -- Topsy.com
February 25th, 2011
10:58 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bobby, Adam Blank, Guillaume Lambert, NHL-blogs.com , Josh McGrew and others. Josh McGrew said: RT @ajcthrashers: New ownership in the works? http://bit.ly/hmDVdU [...]
Stan the Man
February 25th, 2011
10:58 am
Didn’t Jacoby lose a bunch of money when AIG threw him under the bus?
Peter
February 25th, 2011
11:00 am
Well I would be excited to see the Hawks get sold to someone who understands basketball !
Hockeyfan
February 25th, 2011
11:01 am
Quit giving legitimacy to that Rollins idiot that cant afford to pay attention much less buy a professional team.
Oh and glad the Atlanta Spirit Group and its liars… I mean members, will soon be gone.
kracker
February 25th, 2011
11:02 am
litz – I’m bringing a “Save the Gulch!” sign tonight.
Fred
February 25th, 2011
11:03 am
Well I’m not much of a basketball fan and I’m dang sure not a hockey fan, but I AM an ‘Atalnta” fan. As such, I want both teams to not only stay in Atlanta but prosper as well.
While it was impossible to be a “committed” Falcon fan while Jed and Jethro Clampett (The Smith Family) owned the team, it was easy once Blank took over. Even during a bad season there was hope because ole Art WAS going to get what it took to get to the top. I can see the same thing happening to the Thrashers and the Hawks if they get a REAL owner. Apathy is contagious, and how can players get and keep a positive attitude when they know that their “bosses” don’t give a crap? On the reverse side, how they do anything but their utmost best when they like and respect their owner and knows he likes and respects them? Blanks’ gatorade bath was proof of that. I won’t talk about that Packers game lol.
Good luck. I hope it works out for all my fellow Atlantan’s who are B-Ball and hockey fans. ya’ll DESERVE good teams.
10-Year Thrashers Season Ticket Holder
February 25th, 2011
11:03 am
CORRECTION:
Win or lose, losing mostly, I have always been there and poured by heart into this TEAM (not time).
Obviously, when you pour your passion into someone or something that rejects you or takes you for granted for years, you obviously do not always allow logic to dictate your actions or communications.
Seriously, leave or don’t leave, Thrashers.
You’ve twisted this knife in my heart long enough.
ryan
February 25th, 2011
11:04 am
I just if the Hawks and Thrashers are sold to local investment group its not ASG or Liberty group clone i am tired of these owners don’t wont to bring any buzz to Atlanta Dwight Howard is free agent home town star experts think he going to LA or New York we need to bring him home .
Bluestreak
February 25th, 2011
11:05 am
HOPE!!!
And for those of you local and non-local detractors, go find a ‘Remember the Jets’ or ‘NHL for Hamilton’ boards and have a love fest. We don’t want you and we don’t need you. The AHL may have a team they can send your way.
simpleminded
February 25th, 2011
11:06 am
Please don’t wake me up if I’m dreaming! Atlanta/Boston/Washington Octotards killed my “Spirit” long ago. Here’s some due diligence…if the “tards” are gone, I’m buying season tickets to the Thrashers!!!!
Thrashers27
February 25th, 2011
11:08 am
I’d rather have ownership that is strictly focused on hockey and the Thrashers, but anything is better than the dip$#!)* at ASG. Those guys are just terrible businessmen.
Blow Up this "team"
February 25th, 2011
11:09 am
I bet ASG does something stupid and plays hard ball on sales price.
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
11:10 am
Blue Spark – I won’t speak for Vivs, but he’s Atlanta’s embedded journalist so far as the Thrash are concerned maybe the only one I know too. I don’t think he’d take his lines soley from Kincade only on matters such as this NO MATTER WHAT. He even stated he was working on this kind of thing in recent days, I think he acted very responsibly like a journalist should rather than a gossipy jock talk type. Breathe easy, he’s THE source you should look to for the real Thrashers news.
Blow Up this "team"
February 25th, 2011
11:11 am
Does everyone still use that side corner as a bath room at the Gulch.
GaDawg
February 25th, 2011
11:12 am
As a former Atl Flame tix holder, can I say nooo more owners whose fortunes are made/lost in the realestate business. Bring Dwight Howard home, put him along with Horford and find a point guard and maybe we get beyond rd 1.
This is what I heard
February 25th, 2011
11:15 am
For what its worth, working inside the media I have been told that this group is made up of Ludacris the rapper, Usher and…..wait for it….Justin Beiber, who, apprarently being Canadian loves hockey. I have also been told that the commercial property surrounding the area and its usage allowances is the crux of this deal moving past the exploritory phase and that this somethiing that “looks better a chance to happen than not.” Again, for what its worth and usually I am not the one to come on a public forum and parade a bunch of rumors, but, to be perfectly honest, I feel for fans of these two franchises and what they have been through and love this city and hope that a little good news may console fans enough to keep the spirit alive (no pun intended) thus giving these potential buyers a product that looks more promising than an empty building. Again, for all thats worth.
Joe Friday
February 25th, 2011
11:17 am
don’t think of the Gulch, look the other direction. Blank’s plans are for an open air stadium on the GA World Congress Center area, reportedly. A new development, in conjunction with those plan, tying the whole area together would make a lot of sense (bordered by the Aquarium and Centennial Park area on the other side).
barney strickland
February 25th, 2011
11:19 am
SEE? SEE? I was right about the Hawks were gonna be sold…but i wasn’t so sure anyone would want the Thrashers…. look at the Mark Bradley Blogs form the last couple of weeks… I predicted this…. ASG was a bunch of douchebags….. Mike Gearon is proof that Ted Turner will give money to any moron in his family…. We deserved a rich bitch like David McDavid…. Teddy and his gang who couldn;t shoot straight screwed ATL sports for the last decade…. Bummer. What coulda been… shoulda been …now, might happen at last!!
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
11:20 am
My concerns…
A.) Will the basketball loving F.A.S. , LLC let go of the Hawks and Philips? That’s what they bought the package for and I think they believe they are doing a bang up job at least with the Hawks and stand to make good money (an entrpreneurial sweatener) w/ Philips. This could make things difficult UNLESS this ownership group consists of HOCKEY FANS that’ll settle for the Thrashers and likely a portion of Philips too.
B.) The F.A.S., LLC doesn’t negotiate with honest integrity and plays harball divulging their TRUE finances to cover their own you know whats (very possible). This will prove frustrating to the prospective buyers as people don’t enjoy dealing in shady sales.
yeahsure
February 25th, 2011
11:20 am
i like where this is going. Getting really exciting thinking about the potential of having more than one Atlanta team with ownership that cares about the fans.
sawweeet
February 25th, 2011
11:21 am
Fingers crossed!
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
11:21 am
entrepreneurial (rather)
Damian
February 25th, 2011
11:23 am
Ahhhhh! Look at the 12 Thrashers fans in here……The team is a lost cause..simple as that…130,000,000 was lost last season…COME ON! The NHL has given the Thrashers 6 weeks…(Which is now 4) to do something…time is running out….and if we’ve learned anything from the Coyotes..(Who still don’t have a solid buyer) it takes a lot longer then 6 weeks to get a deal done.
Time for Gary Bettman to count his losses and move the team….Sure if the Thrashers start winning again people will show (For a while) then when they start to lose again…You’ll disappear…
I’m a Canadian hockey fan…this is our sport….and no one will ever love the game like we do.
GO JETS GO!
AJ
February 25th, 2011
11:25 am
“Getting really exciting thinking about the potential of having more than one Atlanta team with ownership that cares about the fans.”
Well Said!
JMT21
February 25th, 2011
11:25 am
Enter your comments here
kracker
February 25th, 2011
11:26 am
Blow Up this “team” – Yep, at least the gents do. It’s a time-honored tradition born of necessity.
Mooseberg
February 25th, 2011
11:26 am
Trust Viv that something is going on, NEVER trust Kincaid after the way he talked down to Thrasher fans….after all this gets done and we have new owners and direction(really hoping) I will start a campaign to send Kincaid back to Philly. As a sports talk radio personality, you should NEVER get on the fans of the teams in the city you work because they are(were) fans of the radio station because they are sports fans. BIG MISTAKE KINCAID
ashtray
February 25th, 2011
11:26 am
screw the Gultch. Go up into the sunshine you moles, and party on the street between the arena and the dome like in the old days when the Thrasher management actually cared an ounce more and set up activities before games.
Philalamo
February 25th, 2011
11:26 am
Damian: Stop wasting our time spewing your yankee nonsense.
Aren’t there “Fat” Rex Ryan foot fetish videos you shoul be watching?
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
11:27 am
Damian – HA HA HA HA HA!!! $130 MILLION LOST LAST SEASON ALONE!!! HA HA HA!!! Keep it up, your hi-lar-ious. Thrashers posts need some comic relief. Here lemme help you say something else funny as Hell…
Please explain how losing that figure of money is even possible in ONE SEASON, please do that.
Philalamo
February 25th, 2011
11:27 am
Edit to Damian: Should have said “spewing your frog nonsense.”
Get bent you hoser.
R. Stroz
February 25th, 2011
11:29 am
Dear Winnipeg Trolls.
May I suggest moving to the Islanders blogs. They’re your best target.
ashtray
February 25th, 2011
11:29 am
quit crying Mooseberg. This isn’t about you.
Tom Lysiak
February 25th, 2011
11:29 am
Somebody needs to tell Damian the Jets already did GO….to Phoenix.
polskidawg
February 25th, 2011
11:29 am
Hope is still alive.
Mooseberg
February 25th, 2011
11:30 am
Damian…go inside and thaw out your brain. Nothing you stated is fact, try listening to bettman next time a TV signal actually gets to you.
R. Stroz
February 25th, 2011
11:30 am
kracker – Would you rather have the “Gulch” or a hockey team?
JMT21
February 25th, 2011
11:31 am
Good news for you guys. Being from Winnipeg I’ve posted before that you guys seem to be great fans and DESERVE your team.
The situation in Phoenix is getting dire. The bonds still have not been sold despite being available for 2 weeks. There is still a threat of lawsuit by a taxpayer group in Arizona. The NHL has stated that if the lawsuit is filed the deal in Glendale is dead and they will move.
I have a friend who is a Coyote STH. She got a package to renew her season tickets. She has seats on the blue line 7 rows from the glass. Cost per ticket $45.00. Price guaranteed for 2 seasons.
Back in 1996 the top ticket for a Jets game was $50.00.
I hope this mystery ownership group comes thru. Good luck against the Panthers tonight!!
ashtray
February 25th, 2011
11:33 am
Everyone should be excited and optimistic today. It’s the continuation of a sports revolution in Atlanta that started with Uncle Arthur’s magic. Thrasher/Hawk/ and even Concert fans have the first hint of hope that we had in the early 90’s with the Braves and when the Clampett’s sold the Falcons!!!
TrueBlue
February 25th, 2011
11:35 am
So….say the sale does go through….How long will it be before the old group sues in the new group?
coach phil
February 25th, 2011
11:35 am
anybody would run those teams better than the atlanta spirit.
Tom
February 25th, 2011
11:37 am
“Somewhere, in Winnipeg, there are children. And they are crying.”
It is not the children who are crying, it is the guys in the basement in their Jets pajamas that are going into the fetal position reading this.
But that is okay, if the Thrasher’s get saved they will move on to the Islanders with their rumors and innuendo.
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
11:37 am
JMT – We appreciate your support, always welcome. That figure on tickests is STUNNING. I think you even told us about FREE parking and DOLLAR (as in uno, un, ichi, a single buck, etc.) BEER nights and they can’t do it. I feel kinda bad for that market, but mostly the tax payers. Scandal on top of mediocrity kills towns that size outside of a more traditional or long-ago co-opted market.
Philalamo
February 25th, 2011
11:37 am
Ribbit!
Fire Ramsay
February 25th, 2011
11:38 am
They have computers in Canada? Thought it was just moose and Celine Dion.
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
11:39 am
I should say past mediocrity when referring to Phoenix.
Get Real
February 25th, 2011
11:40 am
Atlanta teams are doomed as long as they are used to prop up the downtown area….move the teams to where the support is and let them prosper…as long as they are not owned by clowns!
Tom
February 25th, 2011
11:42 am
Hey Stroz, did not mean to jump over your line on the Islanders. I wrote my comment from the 1st page.
Mooseberg
February 25th, 2011
11:43 am
Phoenix has kinda the same issue Atlanta does in that most of the hockey fans grew up a fan of another team. In Atlanta they are perm residents, in Phoenix they are mostly snowbirds. They aren’t there for the whole hockey season so they aren’t going to buy season tickets which means they will only go to games(for the most part) if their team is in town.
ryan
February 25th, 2011
11:43 am
Well Usher was a part owner of Cleveland Cavilers so he does have some experience i wonder if Tyler Perry is involved to .
This is what I heard
February 25th, 2011
11:45 am
For what its worth, working inside the media I have been told that this group is made up of Ludacris the rapper, Usher and…..wait for it….Justin Beiber, who, apprarently being Canadian loves hockey. I have also been told that the commercial property surrounding the area and its usage allowances is the crux of this deal moving past the exploritory phase and that this somethiing that “looks better a chance to happen than not.” Again, for what its worth and usually I am not the one to come on a public forum and parade a bunch of rumors, but, to be perfectly honest, I feel for fans of these two franchises and what they have been through and love this city and hope that a little good news may console fans enough to keep the spirit alive (no pun intended) thus giving these potential buyers a product that looks more promising than an empty building. Again, for all thats worth.
Tom
February 25th, 2011
11:47 am
If the new ownership can get access to a parking facility such as the Gulch and upgrade it for both parking and mixed use near the convention center, that would be huge.
One of the biggest problems with the Convention Center, Dome, and Phillips is the lack of an entertainment complex nearby. People come to the events and then quickly disperse. If ownership could capture parking dollars, entertainment dollars via rent for all the events in the complex it would be very profitable.
The additional income, or even loss from owning the teams, would be mitigated.
In fact, this could be the carrot for bringing in Arthur Blank as he would be a participant of capturing the profits from the Falcons.
Interesting times…
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
11:48 am
Get Real – Get real (sorry I had to and I’m not serious). With Philips only being about 12 years old that WILL NOT happen for another decade or so, no way. So I agree some where along the northern perimeter would be best it’s a long way from happening.
I am taking Over
February 25th, 2011
11:48 am
Who cares. The NBA is full of baby making thugs and nobody in the south understands Hockey so let both tesms leave town.
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
11:48 am
somewhere rather
Alan R.
February 25th, 2011
11:49 am
celsius or fahrenheit?
Sort of a trick question. -40F = -40C
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
11:52 am
I am taking over – Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know about. News flash, Boss Hog…
Atlanta – “yankee” transplants = second rate city with nothing going on
Wakey wakey.
War Eagle
February 25th, 2011
11:52 am
There is a city in the state of WASHINGTON that would like to have an NBA team back there and name it The Sonics. Hint- they have a football and baseball team there. SELL THE HAWKS! Keep the Thrashers!
blazerdawg
February 25th, 2011
11:52 am
Sounds great; especially with some residences around Philips. Thanks for the encouraging news and good work CV!
thrash head
February 25th, 2011
11:52 am
For the life of me I cannot understand why more pro sports teams don’t ENCOURAGE tailgating and providing space for this activity. Quite simply people show up win or lose for the social aspect. Going to Wrigley is like party central for every game.
kracker
February 25th, 2011
11:54 am
Aww, c’mon, Stroz. We need our Gulch! Besides, I know how excruciatingly long it takes to get the environmental permitting done for a major project on a site like that. They ain’t building anything there anytime soon so I expect it will reamin a venue parking lot for a few more years.
I’m gonna sell “Save the Gulch!!” t-shirts and make a killing!
litz
February 25th, 2011
11:56 am
“For what its worth, working inside the media I have been told that this group is made up of Ludacris the rapper, Usher and…..wait for it….Justin Beiber, who, apprarently being Canadian loves hockey.”
That would be … interesting …
There is money there. A lot of money. Beiber brings a ton of youthful energy to the mix … and I can’t believe I just typed that.
But seriously – there’s been clamoring for local people to step up. This is local people … probably the biggest local people around who didn’t get their start wearing orange aprons.
(note the names above … and then note who’s the backing behind the movie studio @ Lakewood)
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
11:57 am
I am taking over – Let me help you understand what I said…
Much of Atlanta get’s hockey, at least a third of it “understands” it, because we’re not exactly southern anymore are we. Do the math on our cities demographics and get back to me. Millions of “yankees” in this town. MILLIONS.
KevinM
February 25th, 2011
11:57 am
Is someone truthfully reporting that along with the Thrashers and Philips, that someone is interested in purchasing the dynamic management team of Rick Sund and Larry Drew? Come on, this deal ought to get done quick with that leadership.
Seriously, why does the hockey and basketball have to be joined at the hip? The only group that can handle the daily costs there is someone like Google, who has a huge cash flow and is totally tied into the cities’ progress.
The odds of an Arthur Blank regime coming to the Philips/Thrashers/Hawks bad business model is very very unrealistic.
tonyb
February 25th, 2011
11:58 am
There is no question the package is worth substantially more with both the Thrashers and the Hawks involved, as opposed to just one major league team. This is a group that seems, on the surface, to have a strong long term plan in place. Remember, a 750 million dollar stadium for the Falcons is being built just a few blocks from Phillips, not to mention there is a 73000 dome right next door. Thus, plenty of sports fan each year coming to games in that location. Make sense to develop the area and make it attractive for the fans.
As as 25 year Atlanta sports fan, I would tell any investor this. This city has such a huge and untapped fan base, that if a team does the right thing and invests in the product, the fans will come, spend money, and support the product. This was true of both the Braves and Falcons, both at one time dismal franchises that were turned around by a ownership committed putting a good product on the field. I will say this, buy the Thrashers and I renew my season tickets.
winnipeg
February 25th, 2011
11:59 am
dont worry were getting the yokes and you are staying
you guys are way more knowledgeable but after this no more excuses for attendance Quebec is waiting
litz
February 25th, 2011
12:02 pm
It will sure be interesting to see what the buzz at tonight’s game is …
Bill
February 25th, 2011
12:04 pm
“I’m a Canadian hockey fan…this is our sport….and no one will ever love the game like we do.”
15k seat arena with 8k average attendence…where’s the love dude? If you guys are such diehards the Moose should be sold out every night.
Dickie Dunn
February 25th, 2011
12:05 pm
I broke this story first!
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
12:06 pm
litz – I for one will be there to show support. Tonight’s opponent speaks as a testament to that fact as I never have had interest in seeing them (like many other fans). But I will be there with the boy to show my love and disdain for the F.A.S., LLC.
LET’S GO THRASHERS!!!
Brian west palm beach
February 25th, 2011
12:06 pm
I cannot wait till this is over I think it is affecting the players also. Maybe they should go rent Major league and watch it. Something has to get them motivated. Last time they came to south fl was the last time I saw them win, and that made it hard to leave sunrise with my jersey on. LETS GO THRASHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
12:06 pm
love for the Thrashers that is
Anita McCrambridge
February 25th, 2011
12:07 pm
The team is not being sold. I am folding the franchise and taking the loss as a tax write off.
JMT21
February 25th, 2011
12:08 pm
How ironic…… the temperature as I write this in Winnipeg is -35 F. Cold for the end of Feb. even for us.
Is Gearon prepared to part with his beloved Hawks?
ashtray
February 25th, 2011
12:09 pm
Hey Hey! Yes, build a complex on the gulch property that houses movie theaters, dance clubs, restaurants, and a hotel. Hire plenty of security. Make it an upscale party place.
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
12:11 pm
JMT – go back and see my list of concerns and tell me what you think. That’s one of em.
East Point Bob
February 25th, 2011
12:15 pm
I have to agree with Sage, I bet 100% Don Waddell will be gone under new ownership, Finally !
East Point Bob
February 25th, 2011
12:22 pm
Damian, You are a joke, Please explain how Canada owns hockey. It is played all over the world,
you need to get a real life and fast. What a moron !
Stan Drulia
February 25th, 2011
12:28 pm
Iron Leagu 13!
Stan Drulia
February 25th, 2011
12:30 pm
Iron League 13 that is. Not trying to harass you but it seems like you immediately correct yourself on like 60 percent of your posts.
Chris Vivlamore
February 25th, 2011
12:30 pm
BlueSpark: No offense to Mr. Kincade but if he was more source I wouldn’t be doing my job. The answer is no.
Thrashered
February 25th, 2011
12:32 pm
I’m really happy for you Thrasher fans. Now you can get on with your tradition of discussing which 3rd or 4th line player will be traded for someone else’s 3rd or 4th line player in the hope that the Thrashers can nail down that elusive 8th playoff spot. Maybe some day in the future you will experience the satisfaction of winning a first round play-off game.
Bluestreak
February 25th, 2011
12:32 pm
Damian
The Jets did go, to Phoenix. I think (if I recall the early 90s relocations) that was due to a lack of a decent arena (ie: money). Has Winni landed some big corp to afford to bring a team back?
Get over it, this is not just a Canadian sport. If it was confined to Canada, it would fold inside of 5 years. If Hockey can only be Canadian, then we want baseball and football back. Its just a poorly supported argument.
Bill
February 25th, 2011
12:32 pm
Oh BTW Canada. With ATL attendance averaging 13056 and Gwinnett (20miles north) drawing 5165 and your own Moose drawing 8294 and I will give you 200 a game for your Junior teams we still have around 10k more hockey fans attending games on any given night.
Add to that the fact that you can drive 100 miles North, East or South and watch other minor league teams (4 teams in GA total and 1 in SC in Greenville).
The 4 teams in GA average 23k total and 2 of those draw under 3k a night.
Take your “south doesn’t like hockey” crap and go weep in the corner because it’s almost 70 degrees F here and we get to watch PRO hockey tonight…what are you going to do, make big ice cubes into little ones?
ashtray
February 25th, 2011
12:36 pm
I think I love you Bill! Hilarious post with great facts. “big ice cubes into little ones! LOLOLOL!
ryan
February 25th, 2011
12:36 pm
Never say Never .
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
12:38 pm
Stan Drulia – That is correct, it’s obnoxious isn’t it? BTW, thanks for being so nice to me all those years ago when I played at the Knights camp and stuff. You’re a swell, guy.;)
Bluestreak
February 25th, 2011
12:40 pm
C-Viv, do you know what this is about?
@EJHradek_ESPN Thrashers GM Rick Dudley says there still might be a significant deal out there for him in the short window between now and the deadline
Rick’s not been afraid to pull the trigger on moves, so I’m hoping this is the one that kicks the team back in the right direction.
Iron League 13
February 25th, 2011
12:41 pm
I think that had bad punctuation, cuz ADHD doesn’t like proof-reading.
Thrashered
February 25th, 2011
12:42 pm
Hey, Bill, nice job playing the ‘Greenville’ card. Since you’ve done such an excellet job of showing why Georgia is a better hockey market than Canada,, maybe you will now have time to learn the difference between icing and offside.
blazerdawg
February 25th, 2011
12:43 pm
Bill – that post was AWESOME. Southern folks like da hackey.
BlueSpark
February 25th, 2011
12:44 pm
I’m really hoping this happens. Sorry Gulch-lovers, but this could provide some nice synergy with a new stadium for the Falcons, the Multi-Modal terminal, an MLS team, and other downtown revitalization projects. That’s why keeping the Thrashers here is important to the business climate, not just us fans.
Bluestreak
February 25th, 2011
12:45 pm
Thrashered, its obvious you are either one of the fans of a team that left you, so you don’t have one of your own to discuss or you are one that just can’t stand the fact that hockey is being played and succeeding in non-traditional locations. Sorry if you are in either of these groups. I’d rather have a 3rd or 4th line to discuss than to have to see my team play in Denver or Phoenix under a different name.
ZAvalanche
February 25th, 2011
12:45 pm
Finally, I can wake up to some good new on the wire. As much as I don’t care for the NBA (college ball is ok) the Hawks need to be here as they take a huge chunk out of the annual operating cost of the arena.
A >50% partial owner is definitely in need here otherwise not a damn thing will change or get done. I am pleased though, good news is on the way Thrashy!
Forward Video To Friends - Let's Fill PHILIPS!
February 25th, 2011
12:47 pm
We need to show the prospective owners that WE LOVE HOCKEY. Please do your part to help get people down to the games on Friday and Sunday. This video may help – it can be embedded in website and other blogs. If you are a hockey fan, IT IS TIME TO SHOW UP – get others to SHOW UP:
http://www.keepthethrashers.com/videokeepthrashersgame.html
KEEP THE THRASHERS IN ATLANTA!
Tom Lysiak
February 25th, 2011
12:49 pm
Thrashered – There are a couple of others besides Bill who think Atlanta is the better market. Bettman and the NHL Board of Governors.
Stay warm up there!
Looks like a beautiful weekend for hockey in Atlanta | Atlanta Thrashers: Ice Man
February 25th, 2011
12:56 pm
[...] helping to make this a nice weekend is the story Chris Vivlamore has been working on. If you haven’t already seen this, our fine Thrashers beat writer is informing us that there [...]
Dick Dickson
February 25th, 2011
12:56 pm
Thrashered, does it just suck being you?
Thrashered
February 25th, 2011
12:56 pm
Thrashers…third from the bottom in NHL attendance. Must be those ECHL teams in places like Greenville that are dividing the market.
Toby
February 25th, 2011
12:56 pm
This just in…
Comcast reports that orders of the Center Ice package in Winnipeg have spiked again because once again, they will have no team. Back to you.
SportsFan
February 25th, 2011
12:58 pm
Bill, Bill, Bill. It is people like you that make the knowledgeable, coherent, and genuine true Thrasher fans look bad. Winnipeg wants a team, and there nothing wrong with that. I don’t want to see the Thrashers move either, and I am from Winnipeg. They have the ownership group in place, own the facility, and have it busy asides from AHL hockey makes it a very profitable endeavor for the NHL. The fact you want to slag Winnipeg and Canada and make yourself feel good like the bully you are, congrats. Yes, it is cold here in the Winter. We know that and are used to it. If you want us to make typical “good ol boys” jokes about the South then that would be the same as your lame attempts about the cold. Life sure must be lonely and unfulfilling for you.
Dan was my favorite Thrasher
February 25th, 2011
1:00 pm
Hmmmm….. nothing to see here folks, move along.
Let us know when some real news breaks.
Cornbread
February 25th, 2011
1:00 pm
OH Canada… No Team For You!
Wayne stuck in AL
February 25th, 2011
1:03 pm
“In one of the prospective groups there is one main investor with others in the group, some of whom are from Atlanta.”
Gee, doesn’t that already sound like the Atlanta Spirit?
Bill
February 25th, 2011
1:05 pm
Thashered, Greenville was not included in my GA attendance numbers.
With them the number goes over 26k average.
Again, if you guys want another NHL team so bad sell out your arena then MAYBE somebody in the NHL will listen.
I think its funny that you hate us so much, from what I have read the ‘Peg has lost teams in every major sport for lousy support.
Maybe it’s not us…maybe its you…
BlueThrash
February 25th, 2011
1:12 pm
“Sort of a trick question. -40F = -40C”
LOL. I was hoping that someone might catch that. I think that is the only time they match up. I grew up within spitting distance of the Great White North and thought that the -40 thing was funny….so long as it wasn’t actually -40 (F or C), that is.
Johnny Upton
February 25th, 2011
1:14 pm
Chrysler plant here I come.
Thrashered
February 25th, 2011
1:15 pm
Well, the attendance figures speak for themselves……only two teams are worse. By the way, I live in metro Atlanta but as a hockey fan, I think its outrageous that Atlanta even has a team. And, TL, given Gary’s knowledge of hockey, I don’t think I would be playing that card, either. I don’t waste my money on the Thrashers (an AHL team in NHL jerseys). I simply buy great TVs, subscribe to NHL Center Ice to watch real hockey and let you fools waste your money and travel time going down to what is possibly the worst possible location for a NHL arena. By the way, there will be lots of these ‘potential buyer’ stories before the franchise finally moves to someplace where the people actually know hockey. Hopefully, that will be by the start of next season.
Thrashfan
February 25th, 2011
1:17 pm
This guy “Thrashered” is a Dumb A… It is clear that u do not care about the thrashers, so stay out…. Because of people like you they want to get out of ATL.
And like I said the other day… Mr. Blank would be a great owner for the thrashers and y not the whole “Atlanta Spirit”…. I can see the smoke.
BlueThrash
February 25th, 2011
1:18 pm
“[Philips] what is possibly the worst possible location for a NHL arena”
Can’t diagree with you on that one, but at least there is a subway station there unlike Turner “yeah, let’s leave them all out in the streets until the 4th inning” Field.
Bbbb
February 25th, 2011
1:22 pm
I bet this “Thrashered” in reality lives somewhere in “metro” Winnipeg and not Atlanta and came here just to add some trash – not more.
Tom
February 25th, 2011
1:22 pm
I just started laughing out loud picturing Ludacris sitting at an NHL Board of Governors meeting.
JMT21
February 25th, 2011
1:28 pm
Ironside. Good points. Seems there are 4 options.
1) Someone steps up and invests alongside with ASG. This may help short term to help cover losses but Gearon would still be charge and give the majority of his attention to the Hawks.
2) Someone comes in a buys the Thrashers outright. Problem there (i think) is that the new owner would have to play in Phillips which is still under the control of ASG. Are there any examples of NBA/NHL teams playing in the same city, same venue with each team under separate ownership?
Would Gearon “play nice” with new owner?
3) Buyer emerges to buy all 3 entities? Big price tag but best case scenario (IMO).
4) The NHL assumes control of the Thrashers like in Phoenix until new ownership can be found.
I see this as unlikely as the NHL BoG probably won’t want to go thru all of that again despite the Trasher fan base being FAR MORE deserving of an NHL team than Phoenix.
Tom Lysiak
February 25th, 2011
1:29 pm
Thrashered – The problem for you is, even with your superior hockey knowledge, it still leaves what you think totally meaningless. Bettman, knowing so little, has the power to make the decisions. You have the power to have a great TV and Center Ice, and stay at home tonight while many of us go to the game. You won’t be missed.
Thrashered
February 25th, 2011
1:29 pm
Uh huh, yep. No one who really lives in Atlanta could dispute either the great track record or viability of the Thrashers franchise. Guilty as charged, yep I’m actually a Blue Bomber season ticket holder. Now, I need to stop this because my exit off 400 is Windward and I have to get back to work.
cl
February 25th, 2011
1:30 pm
Exciting stuff. I just this is not like the rich widow in Florida who was interested in buying the Charlestown Chief’s several years ago.
Thrashered
February 25th, 2011
1:33 pm
Lysiak, I’m glad that we both agree on what my best course of action is. Yep, what I think is totally meaningless. But, unlike many of the Thrasher season ticket holders, it’s not costing me well over $100 a game to think it. Sure I won’t be missed, but you will miss the 10,000 or so others that could fill all of those empty seats that everyone in North America can see when they punch in the wrong channel and wind up with the Thrasher game by mistake.
Tom Lysiak
February 25th, 2011
1:44 pm
Thrashered – Your other mistake is thinking we would care about everyone in North America and what they would see when they punched in the wrong channel and wound up on our game. That is what a remote is for. What they think about it is as meaningless as what you think about it.
Frank
February 25th, 2011
1:46 pm
Prediction Time…Atlanta keeps their team, Winnipeg gets one some day..Biggest Rivalry in Hockey now becomes..Winnipeg Jets vs. Atlanta Thrashers…Who would have ever THUNK???
Thrashfan
February 25th, 2011
1:47 pm
This guy sounds like a girl whom got her heart broken. To be honest.. I think that what heppened… he is in pain because the Thrashers are in a loosing streak…. It will change soon.. we will win again… for now MENUP
Chris
February 25th, 2011
1:47 pm
I really hope Don Waddell is fired ASAP.
As for the Gulch, why not relocate the railroad so it bypasses that area. Nothing but a hangout for the homeless and rats.
Thrashered
February 25th, 2011
1:49 pm
Yes, you don’t care and yet you keep responding. Why don’t you wait to respond until you and your team accomplishes something. Like moving up to 25th in league attendance? Winning one play off game? Finding an owner can get within 10 mill of the cap?
Frank
February 25th, 2011
1:52 pm
As a former Winnipegger now living in ATL. (20 yrs.) and going to Thrashers games, Ive only had great comments when wearing my old Jet jersey. Around the concourse at intermission,always would hear everyone say how they loved THE JETS! I’m afraid SOME Winnipeggers are going to change that thought now!Be Patient and wait guys, your day will come..we are all one big hockey family..Share The Hockey Love! Already!!
Thrashfan
February 25th, 2011
1:55 pm
Frank – The only way to share the hockey love is dropping the gloves….. but I’m with you
ATL
February 25th, 2011
1:57 pm
Keep them, invest in them, make them (both) great– no other formula will work…
Mooseberg
February 25th, 2011
1:59 pm
Chris – I live down by Phillips and that those train tracks aren’t leaving…the new Green Belt loop thing around atlanta took some of the tracks away and they are proposing a way to find room for two more tracks now that its they only way through town from the switching yard which is about 2 miles north. I wish they could just go around the whole city but that won’t happen.
BlueSpark
February 25th, 2011
2:01 pm
PLEASE DON”T FEED THE TROLLS
rickvikings
February 25th, 2011
2:07 pm
That one blogger about the Winnipegger in Jets pajamas is seriously funny; I am from Wpg too, and let’s hope you can keep your team. I am not sure how Bettman can say that Coyotes is a done deal when they can’t even sell a bond with such high risk. I think Wpg still has a better chance of getting the Coyotes over your team… Good Luck, oh by the way, to the blogger about Canadians and computers, we do have them and we gave you guys Celine Dion for future considerations………..
jimcee
February 25th, 2011
2:08 pm
Great news…hope a new owner appears for the Thrashers/Hawks/Philips Arena.If I had the money I’d do it!!! There are hockey fans in Atlanta…show up and sellout the next few games! With 6 million people in the metro area there should be a minimum of 15,000 per game showing up.
litz
February 25th, 2011
2:09 pm
“I just started laughing out loud picturing Ludacris sitting at an NHL Board of Governors meeting.”
Ohhhhh … to be a fly on the wall, if that were to happen …
“As for the Gulch, why not relocate the railroad so it bypasses that area.”
You’d have to relocate Norfolk Southern *and* CSX … and both of those lines predate Sherman.
The track that runs under the parking deck, for instance, is the wye that connects the two. You’re talking 60-70 daily train movements over parts of that area … not very likely any of that is going to move anywhere.
Blow Up this "team"
February 25th, 2011
2:12 pm
As New Owner List of thing to do:
(1) Fire D-Wadd, savings $150K salary to the bottom line.
(2) Buy Jack Daniel’s mixed drink machine with savings from 1.)
IROC
February 25th, 2011
2:13 pm
Thrashed you are the same troll that comes to the phx boards and trolls there. You will never get a team you guys cant even sell out the moose. Talk about not supporting ur team. Now move a long the only hockey you will get is from the moose. Dont let these pigs from winny get to u guys we have been dealing with them for months. I HOPE THE NHL NEVER GOES BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay warm you fat piles of crap!
Furious George
February 25th, 2011
2:15 pm
Great news! Suck on that Winnipeg!! haha!
Thrashered
February 25th, 2011
2:20 pm
Thrasher fans, all is well! IROC from that bankrupt and usually ownerless hot bed of hockey Phoenix, AZ has come to your defense! Between the two cities, you couldn’t fill one arena.
Tom Lysiak
February 25th, 2011
2:21 pm
Sounds like Thrashered has been busy.
Kaat
February 25th, 2011
2:21 pm
As always thanks for the reporting CViv! Eagerly awaiting more!
litz
February 25th, 2011
2:30 pm
Thrashers story is currently (well, as of 2:30pm) the #4 story on ajc.com …
And people claim there’s no interest in the matter … hah!
jimcee
February 25th, 2011
2:31 pm
Just checked online and the ticket sales for the next few games appear to be very strong…good to see.
Dancing Gabe
February 25th, 2011
2:31 pm
Thrashered..You’re making us Winnipeggers look Silly!! Grow Up
Midfield
February 25th, 2011
2:39 pm
A deal is not close in either case as proper paperwork has not been filed to begin serious negotiations about the amount of liability insurance needed to cover expected individual lawsuits from each and every one of ASG members.
Get The Puck Out
February 25th, 2011
2:42 pm
If you ain’t got something good to say Thrashered then please just don’t say anything. You’ve made your point. Don’t go away mad, just go away.
Thrashered
February 25th, 2011
2:44 pm
Dancing Gabe. Maybe you should move down here to ATL as your comment makes no sense and has no factual basis. Ah, yes, a closet Thrashers fan. As far as this story being #4 on the AJC, must not have been a car wreck, a meth lab busted or an apartment fire today.
Thrashfan
February 25th, 2011
2:46 pm
Come on….. let’s all go to the game tonight!!!! the team needs our support!!!
Blow Up this "team"
February 25th, 2011
2:47 pm
Why the hell is Modin in the line-up tonight?
Thrashered
February 25th, 2011
2:47 pm
Sorry, Get The Puck Out (so creative!), but I must continue to be the voice of reason in this forum. Congrats to Midfield for recognizing this is basically a non story. However, it sure is fun to talk to both of you Thrasher fans.
ashtray
February 25th, 2011
2:49 pm
I think the potential buyers could be the lawyers that have been laughing at the octocluster and soaking all the money out of ASG during the last 7 years!
They have tons to work with now!
Hockey Biltong
February 25th, 2011
3:04 pm
Canadians/Americans: Someday, maybe, both cities will have NHL teams. No need getting your touques and ballcaps wadded into dough balls.
On another note, Kincaid is pretty much a dipstick, while decrying the home teams in favour of his Philly teams. Mr. Half glass empty is one of the biggest “Debbie-Downers” on air in Atlanta and it would be truly awesome to see him replaced by a true hockey fan on the air. Right now there just isn’t one, apart from Dan K and Darren E.during broadcasts. Nobody supports the game properly during drive time in the am or afternoon.
A New Ownership Group For Atlanta? | The Vancouver Canucks
February 25th, 2011
3:06 pm
[...] continued [...]
Mr Mojo
February 25th, 2011
3:08 pm
We aren’t lucky enough for this to happen.
Mo Wanchuck
February 25th, 2011
3:10 pm
Ever been to the Palm Isle?
Bugs
February 25th, 2011
3:17 pm
Don’t you guys have jobs, or do you just check this blog every 30 seconds for a new update? It’s Friday afternoon. Time to get some filing done!
nosunbelt
February 25th, 2011
3:17 pm
LOL. You idiots keep getting excited over nothing. Until there is an offer, go watch SEC football. Thanks for coming out.
jimcee
February 25th, 2011
3:20 pm
Agreed Hockey Biltong(?)…what is obvious is that there is a lot of interest in hockey in both places.I wouldn’t be surprised if Atlanta and Phoenix get their situations resolved that Winnipeg and Quebec City get expansion teams in a few years.The Islanders with their tradition and chance at a new arena in Brooklyn are never going to move from the NYC market and the other “newer” southern teams are starting to draw really well.Look at Nashville,Carolina,Tampa and even Florida.Hockey is a wonderful sport and hopefully the NHL can eventually include a number of expansion markets that are hungry for a team.Who knows maybe even the Whalers can make a reappearance in Hartford one day and join the expansion Houston Aeros for the 2017-2018 season!
Brian
February 25th, 2011
3:29 pm
@BlueThrash -40F is the same as -40C.
Thrasher_Ed
February 25th, 2011
3:31 pm
I remember a certain Boston TV play-by play man Jack Edwards statements earlier this year after the Thrashers clobbered his Bruins 5-1 I believe that this city was missing out and he is right. But just like Jack Edwards forgot Atlanta sports fans much like Boston sports fans will not support a sorry A$$ ownership group that spends to the salary floor year after year while endlessly allowing our best players to leave town. Get a solid ownership in place that is committed to helping these teams consistently make playoff appearences and the fans will come out. Old Atlanta Flames fans same out to support those teams, Thrasher fans old and new will return as well. Just as soon as the A$$clowns running the Hawks and Thrashers are OUT!!!
jimcee
February 25th, 2011
3:34 pm
Just a few short years ago the Blackhawks were averaging 12,000 a game or less! Now look at them…younger, new owner,first in the league in attendance and a Stanley Cup to boot!
Thrasher_Ed
February 25th, 2011
3:34 pm
Kincaid is a Thrashers Fan. But he is not a blind loyalist. Sports Talk radio is driven by listeners. You want them to talk more Thrashers, pick up the phone and call with more questions about them. If Thrasher fans call in droves they would talk more Thrashers. No need to when no one calls in asking for it!
Mooseberg
February 25th, 2011
3:43 pm
Kincaid is a Phillies, Eagles, Flyers and Sixers fan and there is no doubt about it.
Ned Braden
February 25th, 2011
3:45 pm
I don’t believe a word of this Florida $*)@.
jerry
February 25th, 2011
4:36 pm
To any potential owner: If you don’t have the money and the will to put a competitive team on the ice, forget about it.
AtlantaVols
February 25th, 2011
5:09 pm
Need a win tonight. Lets go Thrashers! Hope this new ownership works out soon!
cousin Eddie
February 25th, 2011
5:24 pm
Would love for these potential new owners to build something like Nashville has. I almost found myself not wanting to go inside the arena to see the game because the atmosphere outside was awesome. TThanks Chris for reporting the most informative articles in the ATL.
Hotrod
February 25th, 2011
5:25 pm
I say this is the best opportunity going in the sports world currently.
Hockey in a big town with great weather! Forget about it! If you have
money and a love of the sport. This is a no brainer. Pal around with
Mr. Blank for an afternoon or 2 , get a few solid pointers , and off to the races. Mr. Blank seems to have done pretty good with his investment.
Brendan
February 25th, 2011
6:20 pm
Here’s what I hope for … as a fan of the Atlanta Thrashers. (1) That an ownership that actually LIKES hockey emerges. This is every bit as NECESSARY as is the group’s ability to FINANCE the team. If they LIKE hockey, then it follows that they would CARE for the team, enough to fire a GM without a playoff berth in a decade. (2) For selfish reasons, I want the team to remain in Atlanta, GA. (3) I want the ownership to be able to finance LEAGUE MAXIMUM type salaries. If they cannot do this, it compromises the Thrashers ability to adequately compete for championships. Striving to be the 15th best team in the NHL, on an annual basis, was the WORST THING I’d ever seen anyone aspire to be or do.
As much as I do not want to lose the Thrashers, I’d at least feel better about them moving … knowing that their next ownership group actually CARES about them. At least enough to have some accountability about the product to its fanbase.
Brad
February 25th, 2011
6:55 pm
If anyone should leave it should be the Thrashers… I went to a Saturday game sometime this season and I was only about 1 of maybe 5,000 there
tommy2tone
February 25th, 2011
7:12 pm
Move them to Gwinnett!
Reg Dunlop
February 25th, 2011
7:54 pm
Hey Ned! I’m just sayin it’s probably my last game and i’d like to have you there. You don’t have to fight, we’ll play it straight. Ned? Oh and Lily’s a wonderful girl. She’s been stayin at my place. We’ve been havin a helluva time….
Winniphlegm
February 25th, 2011
9:47 pm
Jeez, being from Winnipeg, it gets more than a little irritating seeing how many Canadian losers troll these pages. Let me reiterate, not only to you Atlanta, but to idiot Winnipeggers being babies. Atlanta has a team. They have fans…real fans. And hey, they may also have a new owner in the works, which for me is great. Don’t worry Thrasher fans, it’ll all work out. The Winnipeg dogs are sniffing out the Coyotes again today since they realize Atlanta may not work out. Give it a couple of days, then Phoenix will be all right, and they’ll come back here. Hopefully, the trolls read this, and maybe they can figure out who they are.
blazerdawg
February 25th, 2011
10:33 pm
Class comments Winniphlegm. Hope the Jets return soon, just not as reincarnated Thrashers.
Rogie
February 25th, 2011
11:09 pm
I hope this new ownership story doesn’t turn out to be a Reggie Dunlop sort of rumor…
Jay
February 26th, 2011
12:17 pm
ASG is already screwing this up by selling all 3(Thrashers, Hawks, Philips.) The only good news is that they are desperate to sell so as long as they arent moronic a potential new owner can get a great price. Ideally, We would get 2 owners/ ownership groups. 1 for hawks, one for Thrashers and they split Philips 50/50. But at this point, priority 1 is keeping teams here, priority 2 is kicking A.SSG out.
AtlFlamesFan
February 26th, 2011
12:23 pm
@Chris V
Loved this response: “BlueSpark: No offense to Mr. Kincade but if he was more source I wouldn’t be doing my job. The answer is no.”
The whole world turned upside down for ASG. Their original scheme to “flip the Thrashers like a greasy burger” in order to acquire their beloved Hawks for almost nothing blew up in their faces. Once the Belkin lawsuit began, they were stuck, and this under-financed group’s losses mounted. I believe that they know that it is over for them; that their debts are so high that there is no way they can even keep the Hawks. They may want to play hardball, but I think they are so desperate that they cannot.
David
February 26th, 2011
12:27 pm
I’m interested in buying the Atlanta Thrashers and Atlanta Hawks and to own the arena.
patrick
February 27th, 2011
1:19 am
when we move your team to winnipeg we’re going to sell your players faster than enron stock. come visit and catch a game .
Waldnerw
February 27th, 2011
6:08 am
da’ boomer, you are a typical American. Any place outside of 10 miles your house, you know nothing about.
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Nashville Predators preview, and Sunday’s notes | predatorsplayofftickets.com
February 27th, 2011
4:18 pm
[...] Prospective buyer for Hawks, Thrashers, Philips Arena in works | AJC.comIn what surely comes as a bitter blow to some members of the Canadian media, there is apparently a group interested in buying the Thrashers and keeping the team in Atlanta. [...]