Deal not done to sell and move Thrashers
While negotiations between the Atlanta Spirit and True North Sports and Entertainment continue, no deal has been reached to sell the Thrashers and relocate the team to Winnipeg.
Despite a published report Thursday night saying a deal was done and would be announced Tuesday, officials with the Thrashers, True North and the NHL said no such agreement has been reached.
Several Thrashers officials told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday that the report was unfounded. The Winnipeg Free Press reported that a high-ranking True North official denied the report.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, speaking earlier in the day on NHL Live, said no deal has been made to move the Thrashers to Winnipeg– and criticized reports of a possible move. However, he did not rule out relocation unless someone steps forward to own the team here.
“We get reports, speculation, that the team’s gone. And there’s no deal,” Bettman said. “I can tell you that with certainty that there is no deal for this team to move. Am I predicting that there will never be or that there won’t be at some point in time? No, I’m not saying there is or there isn’t.”
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly also issued a denial. “The Board has not been asked to consider nor approve any transaction involving the sale and/or possible relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers’ franchise. Any suggestion to the contrary is entirely untrue.”
The Thrashers and True North have been in active negotiations, as reported by the AJC. The team is also searching for a buyer willing to keep the team in Atlanta. However with time running out to find local ownership, a deal with True North could be reached in the near future. A move to relocate the franchise would have to be made soon in order to begin play next season.
Bettman said the NHL always wants to keep a team in its current market but must have an owner to operate it there.
“The decision as to whether or not to move a club doesn’t come out of looking at two markets and saying, ‘This market would be better than that market,’” he said. “We try to keep our clubs where they are. And if it is ultimately determined that a club has to move, generally the reason . . . is because nobody wants to own a team there anymore, nobody wants to fund the losses and [the current owner] can’t find a buyer.”
The Thrashers’ ownership group has said that it faces a “sense of urgency” to shed the team’s operating losses and that if a buyer can’t be found to keep the team in Atlanta, relocation is a possibility.
The first two callers to Bettman’s show, broadcast on satellite radio and the Internet, were Thrashers fans. The first said Atlanta will support a hockey team if ownership meets the fans halfway by putting a competitive product on the ice.
“I understand and respect that,” Bettman said, “but the key to this may be, in the final analysis, whether or not somebody wants to own the team in Atlanta. In the absence of either the current ownership group continuing to own and operate or somebody stepping forward who wants to buy the club, that becomes the situation that concerns us or any sports league.
“We’ll only leave a market - in this case Atlanta, picking up on the caller’s statements – if we have to. And hopefully the current ownership group will figure a way out of this that makes sense for everybody,” he said.
The caller told Bettman that the Thrashers drew strong crowds in their first five seasons and that a fan rally will be held Saturday to show support for the team.
Noting that the Thrashers have ranked near the bottom of the league in attendance the past two seasons, Bettman said: “I understand that there may be dissatisfaction there, but demonstrating your dissatisfaction by not going to games is an interesting strategy. It’s your absolute right. But if it becomes a turnoff for anybody who might want to buy the franchise, the long-term consequences could be severe.
“It will be interesting to see how many people show up at the rally on Saturday,” Bettman said.
He declined to put a deadline on a decision about whether the team will be moved.
“Obviously, as it relates to next season, time is getting short,” he said. “We have to do a schedule. We’re doing a schedule with our broadcast partners; we have to have it done for clubs by the end of June. And it’s not something you can do in 28 or 48 hours.”
- Staff writer Tim Tucker contributed to this report.
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381 comments Add your comment
Bluestreak
May 19th, 2011
10:55 pm
HedbergHawerchukSelanne -
I want you to explain two things hoser:
1) How do the Thrashers ‘belong’ to Winnipeg? They were an expansion team granted to Atlanta. The team you speak of is currently in Phoenix. Go back and get them so you can legally call them the Jets. This team (until someone says otherwise, and not you…someone with pull) belongs to Atlanta and has since its inception.
2) And this is really more of a point based on your elevated line of thinking, if you feel that teams which have moved belong to their old cities (again, assuming you ‘forgot’ that Phoenix was actually the Jets of old), then please tell your fellow countrymen in Calgary to kindly send the Flames back to Atlanta. We’ll gladly welcome them back to where THEY belong. I don’t recall in history that Calgary was burned to the ground. Name doesn’t make sense for the city. We’ll just relocate everyone back to their original cities and all will be happy.
Just because you sing ‘Oh, Canada’ and have a Maple Leaf on your national flag does not mean that a hockey team belongs to you. I’m so sick of the Canadian snobbery thinking that hockey only belongs in Canada.
You know, you guys take all the hockey teams and we’ll take the BlueJays and football back (American sports) and we’ll see which league(s) are here in 20 years. Guarantee it won’t be the NHL.
OHL
May 19th, 2011
10:55 pm
Atlanta sports fan, Ottawa, Calgary & Edmonton have all been to the Stanley Cup Finals since you came into the league. Vancouver is on the verge of going there this year. What makes you think that Winnipeg is so bad for hockey players?
Tommy Glavine
May 19th, 2011
10:56 pm
Yes money talks. Franchise goes to the highest bidder. ASG has to cover their losses. It is as simple as that.
2mins
May 19th, 2011
10:56 pm
The Globe and Mail is a national news paper, not a tabloid.
Steve-o
May 19th, 2011
10:58 pm
Joe Friday,
Thanks for the link to the radio interview with the reporter who broke the story. Yup, this is going to happen. Canadian reporters tend to be very careful and thorough. It’s done.
Boy, the announcers and reporter sound positively giddy. I would bet my house that this deal is done.
Tommy Glavine
May 19th, 2011
11:00 pm
As new owners: the first thing I would do is change every person in the organization including the players.
Atlanta sports fan
May 19th, 2011
11:01 pm
It must be sad to live in Winnepeg. It’s one thing to live in Canada. It’s another to live in the crappy part of Canada.
@2mins… I highly doubt you’ll woo big time free agents out from under actually nice cities. I’ve been to Winnepeg, not the place if I was an athlete making millions of dollars a year.
HillMan
May 19th, 2011
11:04 pm
For all us Thrashers fans in the ATL this is good news. If you follow this team you know the McDavid deal was done, and then we got the ASG and a bunch of lawsuits. Since this group is so good at lawsuits, my guess is the gave TNSE a hand shake and now they will back out.
Joe Friday
May 19th, 2011
11:05 pm
“Thanks for the link to the radio interview with the reporter who broke the story. Yup, this is going to happen. Canadian reporters tend to be very careful and thorough. It’s done.”
That was live by the way, as of 10 minutes ago the reporter, in the face of Bob McKenzie and all the other Canadian reporters (who are dying that they didn’t break the biggest story in Canadian hockey in decades), and the reporter confirmed it even in the face of the denials. It’s done boys and girls.
It’s time to focus our attention now on the Spirit Squad and on the NHL front office. What a joke of a league the NHL is . . . absolute Mickey Mouse organization
Tommy Glavine
May 19th, 2011
11:07 pm
NO DEAL per 11 Alive. This has more authority than some Canadian tabloid or reckless “reporter” who has about as much credibility as Kinkaide.
Steve-o
May 19th, 2011
11:07 pm
What a joke of a league the NHL is . . . absolute Mickey Mouse organization
——————————————
So true, and Bettman is the biggest joke of all.
Tommy Glavine
May 19th, 2011
11:08 pm
11 Alive is busting up a lap top right now…now that is news folks.
EA
May 19th, 2011
11:08 pm
2 min–I don’t like to participate in Winnipeg bashing. HOWEVER, we lost Kovalchuk for a couple of reasons. One we didn’t have a team that could win consistently Two-he said he did not want to wake up in a year and find out he was moving to Winnipeg.
Matt the Brave
May 19th, 2011
11:09 pm
So, it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that it costs nearly $100 for a family of four to go to a game, not to mention that it’s in downtown Atlanta (i.e. away from the fanbase and most of the population in Atlanta in general). Sure, we planned to stay away on purpose.
And not even to mention that for the last three years it’s been nigh impossible to actually catch the Thrashers on TV and nearly impossible unless you are next to the tower to listen to them on the radio. Nearly zero dollars are being put into promoting the team, so what do you expect?
In reality, yes, the Thrashers moving from Atlanta would hurt the city in the long run, but I would bet the average fan here wouldn’t miss them. And that’s just sad. I guess that we’ll have a top-tier hockey team other than the Gladiators in about two years playing at Philips and they’ll do great (Knights ring any bells?)
Les Habitants
May 19th, 2011
11:09 pm
Why all the hatred towards Canada and Canadians?
Facts are:
1. Canadian economy is currently in a much better shape than American.
2. Canadian NHL fanbase is better and bigger than that of U.S. South.
3. Canadian teams have more lucrative TV contracts than Southern teams.
4. The Atlanta Thrashers are currently bleeding, and have been for a while.
5. The Atlanta Thrashers are the second least valuable team in the NHL.
6. Somebody wants to buy the team and move is to a potentially more profitable place.
Let us just face it. Having the team in Atlanta (and Florida and Phoenix) makes no clear business sense.
StevenBrunt
May 19th, 2011
11:10 pm
the Globe & Mail is owned by the money guy in TNSE
Steve-o
May 19th, 2011
11:10 pm
NO DEAL per 11 Alive.
———————————————————-
Dude, 11 Alive does not exactly have a lot of NHL or True North sources. This report is in Canada’s leading newspaper, which would not go with the story unless they had very good information.
Sherry Taylor
May 19th, 2011
11:12 pm
I think I may NEVER go to another concert at Philips Arena nor will I ever go to a Hawks game. Two people won’t make a difference to the ASG, but it will make a difference in my hockey loving heart.
angryATLfan
May 19th, 2011
11:13 pm
i’m not really angry that they are leaving… go jets go! Deal done.
OHL
May 19th, 2011
11:14 pm
Atlanta sports fan, you highly doubt Winnipeg will woo big time free agents out from under actually nice cities. Does that mean Winnipeg won’t be able to hold onto free agents like Kovalchuk, Savard and Hossa?
HillMan
May 19th, 2011
11:14 pm
Sherry right there with you. Make that 6 folks. I have been a season ticketholder since day one and while I hated going down town from the burbs, since I did it for the Thrash, I also did it for concerts. No more!!
Kevin
May 19th, 2011
11:14 pm
I realize this city wants to hang onto this team, but sorry Barry Melrose is now reporting this is a DONE DEAL and will be announced OFFICIALLY IN WINNIPEG on Tuesday!!! Now it’s coming from numerous sources, so deal with it, it’s all over’! Let the CRYING begin!!! I hear there’s a badminton team looking to relocate and coolers are allowed just like at NASCAR, surely this is more up your alley, and it’s a lot slower game so you all can keep up!
Meanwhile for those of you who watch real hockey teams, or have forgotten more about the game than half these dolts will ever know, the Bruins are now up 2 games to 1 over Tampa Bay!
Tommy Glavine
May 19th, 2011
11:15 pm
Barry Melrose is the final authority of all things hockey.
Steve-o
May 19th, 2011
11:16 pm
Hey Kevin,
You’re a jerk. It’s not cool to troll a comments forum and gloat and generally be an a-hole when there are people who are real fans and care about the team moving.
Not a Hockey Fan
May 19th, 2011
11:16 pm
Speaking of deals, maybe the Real Deal himself, none other than Georgia Governor, Nathan Deal, can make a deal to personally buy the Thrashers. Terms– no cash upfront; unsecured promissory note only; price irrelevant since the note will be worthless anyhow because of Deal’s past savvy deals. Is it a deal?
Kevin
May 19th, 2011
11:18 pm
Oh yeah, 11 Alive News, now there’s a reliable source. This week they just stopped talking about the snow that hit here in January. Give me a break.
I think ESPN and Canadian news sources are a bit more on top of this than 11 Asleep News.
2mins
May 19th, 2011
11:18 pm
I’ve said this before . This is not phx that should be moving. Atlanta is moving for one reason only and it’s the same reason Winnipeg moved … Nobody wants to own the team in that city. That’s it.
Atlanta Football
May 19th, 2011
11:18 pm
“Select -a-seat,, tickets starting at $23 for lower level” And you epect someone to buy this team? How many people attending this “get together” have checks made out for $3000 for a season ticket. Not $900. If people aren’t willing to pay then they can’t complain when it leaves.
EA
May 19th, 2011
11:18 pm
OHL, you won’t hold onto any free agent like those you named unless there is a winning hockey teamn and big money to support those players contracts.
Kevin
May 19th, 2011
11:20 pm
Tommy Glavine is right, no one else knows anything but those real news stations here in Atlanta that have experts like Nene Leakes on their broadcasts. What an idiot.
Joe Friday
May 19th, 2011
11:23 pm
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Thrashers-sale-report-not-accurate-122268064.html
Sounds like the Tues. press conference will be to announced that TSNE is going to start ticket sales and if they get 10000 or more, then the NHL will sign off on it.
If tickets go on sale there at 9am Tuesday, I expect them to hit the 10k number by noon on Weds.
Jed
May 19th, 2011
11:25 pm
Good riddance to the thrashed! Now the fans (all 2 of them) of this dumba$$ sport can move on. Atlanta is Losersville — again. A total flop in the NBA, NHL and NFL. And, a grand total of ONE baseball championship. Pityfull. Jess pityfull.
toddism
May 19th, 2011
11:27 pm
canada’s greatest accomplishment is keeping the french as pets and teaching them to play hockey.
Bluestreak
May 19th, 2011
11:28 pm
Frenchy (Les Habitants),
Why wouldn’t we be mad at a bunch of folks from the city/province/country that is taking our team from us and coming on our turf (this is the AJC, not the Globe) and flaunting in our face? If Atlanta (or Orlando, Birmingham, Vicksburg, New Orleans…get my point?) came in and bought the Oilers, Leafs, Canucks (Birmingham Canunks makes as much since as Calgary Flames) or Les Canadiens and moved them south and we were on your sites flaunting it, wouldn’t you be spitting venom at us? Wounded animals tend to lash out. Same thing for wounded fans.
Go celebrate somewhere else.
foncused
May 19th, 2011
11:31 pm
What is really sad is the general lack of decorum on these blogs. Emotions run high but there is no reason to attack other people or other cities. I am an Atlanta Thrasher fan. I wish that the league would truly look at win-win scenarios vs. pitting cities and fans against each other.
The evidence is clear, teams with consistent bad production (i.e. non winners) have low fan support. It happens in almost every sport . . . most fans get tired of shelling out hard earned money for a consitently inferior product. We all want to be associated with a winner, something that we can be proud of. That is just human nature. It is also human nature to respond when you or your city/team is being attacked.
The real losers in the scenario are the fans, no matter which city “wins”. Assuming that the reports are correct and that True North and ASG have reached a deal and the team moves, the people that should be on the receiving end of our ire are: ASG, Don Waddell, Gary Bettman, and the NHL Board of Governors. Unfortunately, they don’t or won’t care and have their money.
To the Canadian fans, thank you for your passion, but please don’t judge Atlanta or our fans based upon the poor ownership and management that we have suffered through over the last 10 seasons.
To my fellow Thrasher fans, please stop taking your frustrations out on fellow hockey fans. The fate of our team is not their fault and we should not hold them accountable for what appears ultimately the demise of our team.
Wienerpeg Trolls
May 19th, 2011
11:31 pm
I’ll bet Ladd is glad he never signed his deal. Who would want to move to Wienerpeg?
EA
May 19th, 2011
11:31 pm
Joe Friday–season tickets don’t come cheap. Believe me, I know. If they get 10,000 by noon, that would be quite an accomplishment. I have no idea about the economics of Winnipeg. Guess who has a chance to buy season tickets first? Atlanta fans on Saturday. Just sayin.
Bluestreak
May 19th, 2011
11:32 pm
Jed, your spelling is ‘pitiful’. If you’re going to bring that junk, at least use a spellchecker.
Big Wally
May 19th, 2011
11:35 pm
Thanks for the economics lesson Les habitants, now go back to swapping spit with your poodle.
Michael Gearon
May 19th, 2011
11:36 pm
I like Canadian dollars just as much as American dollars.
Les Habitants
May 19th, 2011
11:38 pm
Bluestreak,
Your example is completely unrealistic and make no sense. Do you have a business model that supports a profitable New Orleans Maple Leafs? With the exception of the Ottawa Senators, Canadian teams are making profits. In fact, just Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver make enough profits to cover the NHL.
BTW, calling a francophone Canadian Frenchy is almost as offensive as calling a person with dark complexion n*gg*r.
Les Habitants
May 19th, 2011
11:39 pm
Big Wally,
Is there anything that I wrote not true?
thrasherdawg
May 19th, 2011
11:42 pm
Ted Turner should be forced to buy the team back until he can find a buyer.
He is responsible for the being of the end.
The NHL / Bettman approved this back in 2003 now they don’t want to take responsibility…what a frick”n joke.
No one takes responsibility anymore. When will people learn, money isn’t everything.
Get Lost
May 19th, 2011
11:43 pm
Canadien Frenchy Les Habitants–take your facts and get lost.
Really?
May 19th, 2011
11:44 pm
WTF? The ATL loses a team to the canadian rednecks of Winnipeg? Wow, what about Kansas City, Milwaukee, Cleveland, or Hartford??? Winnipeg, there is a reason why the NHL falls further behind the big boy sports.
Sage of Bluesland
May 19th, 2011
11:45 pm
I wish this team nothing but the best in Winnipeg. I’m positive that a little care and love will transform them into what they should have been here. Their gain; our loss.
I also believe firmly that they will not suffer incompetence such as Don Waddell in that environment very long at all. Compare that to the many here who made excuse after excuse for the obvious.
Uncaring ownership; incompetent management; fans who refused to enforce accountability.
Good job, Sheep….How foolish you must feel?
(I’m thankful I stopped subsidizing the incompetence many, many years ago….This has been a fraud from day-one….Oh well, the sun will rise tomorrow–and this little charade around here will end….It’s just a shame we can’t get one more Sara-spweadsheet-special before we sign off?)
thrasherdawg
May 19th, 2011
11:45 pm
The players love it here and do not want to leave…wish they could strick as a team.
It’s to bad all the players don’t have a “no trade clause” then they could refuse to be traded to Winnipeg.
I’m sure fans in Winnipeg are less forgiving than Atlanta fans. Let their new team miss the play-offs year after year and then we’ll see how many people sow up for their games.
Big Wally
May 19th, 2011
11:46 pm
Economics change, hence the reason why Canada lost two teams awhile back. US economy won’t be in the stinker forever.
StevenBrunt
May 19th, 2011
11:48 pm
Saskatoon is looking for a team… just in case ATL ever gets another NHL team.
ATL seems to be the best way to smuggle NHL teams into Canada
Thanks !!
EA
May 19th, 2011
11:50 pm
THE GLOBE AND MAIL is now saying that the deal is NOT done. Bettman said he will be watching with interest to see the turn out at the fan rally this Saturday.