Updated: Talks continue, fans still planning to attend Thrashers’ select-a-seat event
By Chris Vivlamore and Tim Tucker
It may be the 11th hour, but some Atlanta hockey fans are clinging to hope.
With the Atlanta Spirit ownership group deep into negotiations to sell the Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment, which would move the franchise to Winnipeg, current and prospective season-ticket holders plan to attend a select-a-seat event here Saturday.
“Our select-a-seat event will take place as planned at Philips Arena,” Thrashers president Don Waddell said Friday.
Team officials and owners declined to comment on the negotiations with the Winnipeg group.
One person familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the fluid and sensitive situation, said no agreement had been reached as of Friday afternoon but that talks and progress continued. The person said complex issues were being hammered out and that it’s difficult to predict when a deal might be completed.
Talks also continued with a prospective buyer willing to keep the team in Atlanta, but indications were that the sale to the Winnipeg group could happen as early as next week.
The Canadian Press reported that Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz said Friday that although nothing is signed, sealed or delivered yet, there is an understanding the relocation “is going to happen” and it is just “a matter of time” before a deal is announced.
The Thrashers organization continues to operate. In fact, at least one new season ticket was sold Friday. The select-a-seat event will be run by ticket representatives with no team executives, coaches or players in attendance. The event will coincide with a gathering of Thrashers fans at the gulch area outside the arena.
For some, the seat event will be a chance to show support.
“We are going about it like business as usual in hopes there is still a season,” said Charlie Clarke. “It seems like the writing is on the wall, but you look at other situations like in Sacramento with the [NBA’s] Kings. The fan base thought it was over. and something happened to keep the team.
“There is no reason now not to go. I know it’s a bit of a tease, but I’m holding out that .001 percent chance.”
Others see it as an opportunity to walk down memory lane.
“I’ll be going to the event, but I’m treating it at it as if I’m going to a funeral,” said Brett Lang, who described himself as a season-ticket holder since Day One. “I will go sit in the seats that my friends, family, and I enjoyed for the 11 seasons, quietly reflect on the good times, and say farewell just like a funeral.”
For one Thrashers fan, the chances of losing the team were enough to make him change his plans to attend the season- ticket event. Darren Schuster had planned to attend as a show of support.
“When I think about how much I put into this team and how much I got back, it’s pathetic,” Schuster said. “You can’t blame the fans. When the team was spending money and winning, the fans showed up.”
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was informed of the fan gathering on his weekly call-in radio show, broadcast Thursday night on satellite radio and the Internet, by a Thrashers fan.
“It will be interesting to see how many people show up at the rally on Saturday,” Bettman said.
The caller also told Bettman that the Thrashers drew impressive crowds in their first five seasons and attributed recent attendance problems to ownership that has not put a competitive team on the ice.
“I understand that there may be dissatisfaction there, but demonstrating your dissatisfaction by not going to games is an interesting strategy,” Bettman said. “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.”
Bettman vigorously denied that a deal is done to move the Thrashers. “I can tell you that with certainty,” he said. But he did not rule out the possibility and telegraphed what likely will be the NHL’s position if relocation occurs: that no qualified buyer was willing to own and operate the team in Atlanta.
“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,’” Bettman 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.”
The Thrashers’ owners have been seeking a buyer or investors for two years, and have said since February that they face a “sense of urgency” to shed the team’s operating losses, one way or another. The owners have contended in court documents that the team has lost $130 million since 2005.
“The key to this may be, in the final analysis, whether or not somebody wants to own the team in Atlanta,” Bettman said. “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 … if we have to,” Bettman said.
Making a deal to sell, let alone relocate, a team is a complex process involving the buyer, the seller and the NHL, each represented by groups of lawyers and financial advisors.
Atlanta Spirit and True North would have to complete a purchase-and-sale agreement. True North and the NHL would have to complete an “undertaking” agreement, spelling out the buyer’s commitments to the league. The parties would have to agree on how much of the money paid by True North would go to the NHL, rather than to the Spirit, as a relocation fee.
It is believed True North would pay as much as $170 million for the team, with $60 million going to the NHL and $110 million to the Spirit.
Ultimately, the NHL Board of Governors, which consists of one representative from each team, would have to vote to ratify a sale and relocation. A 75-percent vote is required to approve a new owner, and a majority vote is required to approve a relocation.
Here’s an indication of the complexities involved: When the Atlanta Spirit bought the Hawks and Thrashers in 2004, each member of the then-new ownership group had to sign his name 372 times on documents that filled six binders, each about six inches thick.
*** Thanks to all the fans who responded to my request and those I talked to but couldn’t fit into the story. I appreciate your help and your passion.
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553 comments Add your comment
Pegger8
May 21st, 2011
7:33 pm
Actually the roller derby is very cool, and they have really attracted a niche market. Very retro, I enjoyed it with some buddies!
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
7:34 pm
Your city is freezing cold, in the middle of nowhere, and has an absurdly high crime rate. Every factor needed to load up on free agents right?
Anders Hedberg
May 21st, 2011
7:35 pm
Oui Phx, cet Blame Canada une tete de merde, est ne pensent pas a vous?
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
7:37 pm
You guys should just be true to your extensive French heritage and surrender your attempts to buy the Thrash.
Anders Hedberg
May 21st, 2011
7:38 pm
Blame Canada The middle of nowhere and cold – we will absolutely take credit for that but CRIME?? Your murder rate is 7 times ours. Every crime you can think of happens WAY WAY WAY more commonly in Atlanta than Winnipeg. It is pretty funny you even brought it up.
La'Quandice
May 21st, 2011
7:40 pm
We is da hiyist crime sity in North Ammerika
Anders Hedberg
May 21st, 2011
7:41 pm
Blame Canada – did you bring up crime? You’re a pretty good googler – Google “Atlanta Slum”
phxismybitch
May 21st, 2011
7:42 pm
Blâmer le Canada est dans le déni. Il doit se concentrer sur combat de chiens
Pegger8
May 21st, 2011
7:42 pm
Enter your comments here
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
7:42 pm
Do what you do best and just SURRENDER your attempts to buy the Thrash now Frenchy’s.
The crime rate mention was just funning you lol
I don’t live in Atlanta anyhow
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
7:44 pm
This is officially the first time French has ever been spoken on the AJC. Hopefully it’s the last when this is all over with and you goobers leave.
Surrender Frenchy’s
Pegger8
May 21st, 2011
7:45 pm
You are avoiding my question Blame Question, please list these big name free agents that flocked to Atlanta. Yeah its cold here for 3 or 4 months, we are well aware, some new material please. Oh and now we are gonna start getting racial about French heritage? Wow, you are a classy one. You’re a redneck and I’m now done with you.
Anders Hedberg
May 21st, 2011
7:45 pm
A toothless, dog fighting fan in Atlanta is telling me there is a lot of crime in a Canadian city.
La'Quandice
May 21st, 2011
7:46 pm
I say dat cus I have 6 kids,and I is 19 years old.
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
7:46 pm
Major attractions in the capital city include:
•Manitoba Legislative Building
•Assiniboine Park
•Winnipeg Art Gallery
•Royal Winnipeg Ballet
•The Manitoba Museum
•The Forks National Historic Site
•Riel House National Historic Site
– and now Roller Derby LMAO
No wonder all you Frenchy’s are on our site. Winnipeg bores you all to TEARS! What a lame city
Anders Hedberg
May 21st, 2011
7:50 pm
This has been a great conversation Blame – I’ve got tickets to the Ballet and Riel House and then it is off to the Art Gallery. Bye. Wear fire retardant clothes when you do your burning.
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
7:55 pm
“Winnipeg is the home to the second largest community of French- speaking Canadians outside of Quebec.”
Definitely gonna be some Anthem booers without a doubt! Burn your Jets banners now
Vinny
May 21st, 2011
7:59 pm
La”Quandrice,you sound lovely!
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
8:00 pm
What Redneck/Frenchy ingenuity LMAO
“Pantages Theatre was the first air-conditioned building in Winnipeg. Huge pieces of ice were placed in the basement and large fans were used to blow air over the ice and cool the patrons.”
Definition of REDNECK
Flames Fan
May 21st, 2011
8:03 pm
Flames leaving Atlanta…a tradgedy; Thrashers leaving…a mercy killing. This franchise never even tried to capture the residual base of Flames fans.
I guess it’s over with the NHL, but should the league ever look back it should be obvious that this town was a viable southern market. Too bad for all of us.
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
8:03 pm
“Famous Winnipeggers include author Carol Shields, film maker Guy Maddin, comedian David Steinberg, movie director Ken Finkleman, children’s entertainer Fred Penner, world champion curler Jeff Stoughton, native leader Phil Fontaine and media mogul Izzy Asper”
WHO?!!? Is there no talent there at all?
Flames Fan
May 21st, 2011
8:04 pm
To Winnipeg: I looked you up on Google Earth, and your town looks pretty small. I’m glad you are getting another shot at the NHL, but Calgary got the far better franchise from Atlanta.
Thrashers fans rally, buy tickets as Winnipeg sale talks continue | | sportsport
May 21st, 2011
8:06 pm
[...] talks to finalize a sale between True North Sports and Entertainment and the Atlanta Spirit Group continue on for the [...]
Pegger8
May 21st, 2011
8:13 pm
Calm down Blame, we are just leaving you alone because you are now boring us with Wikipedia info. Nothing intellectual and thought provoking whatsoever. You have exposed yourself as the redneck you are. You win, you and wherever you live are great, much greater than my tiny, frozen, village. I need a little more wit and intellectual stimulation to make this worth my time. Even some of the trolls on this board make me chuckle a bit, you have yet to do so son. So au revoir, I’ll direct my future comments on this board to people that demonstrate a little intelligence and wit.
Pegger8
May 21st, 2011
8:16 pm
PS: Thanks for the Thrashers. This team really does have a solid young core and is almost ready for prime time. 7 overall draft pick to add to it (Ryan Strome, Dougie Hamilton??)! Won’t be long for this team 2-3 years max! Getting rid of Kovalchuk was the smartest thing this team did. Biggest prima donna in the history of the NHL!
Vinny
May 21st, 2011
8:20 pm
Atlanta is too colored for the ice game.
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
8:21 pm
Pegger8, how do you have the audacity to call me a redneck after this fact?
“Pantages Theatre was the first air-conditioned building in Winnipeg. Huge pieces of ice were placed in the basement and large fans were used to blow air over the ice and cool the patrons.”
Definition of REDNECK
wpgJetsfan
May 21st, 2011
8:21 pm
I find it very funny that Our City and Province is being bashed when Americans fly up for GREAT fishing.
The camping, lakes, nature, etc scene is one of the best attactions in Manitoba. Even up North in Churchhill to see the Polar bears is another attaction. In Winnipeg you have music and fine arts as well as some historic areas.
Heck even hollywood comes here to shoot movies because of our old builds and such.
Also many NHL players who have played here love it.
Anders Hedberg
May 21st, 2011
8:25 pm
Vinny – the very best player on the Montreal Canadiens is of African ancestry. Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal are pretty culturally diverse cities yet these cities are crazy for hockey.
Pete Puck
May 21st, 2011
8:26 pm
Blueland??? I never did buy into that contrived marketing BS. Has there ever been a more lame marketing gimmick in the history of professional sports? Thanks again ASG and NHL.
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
8:26 pm
Yes we do have idiots who enjoy your Great ice fishing. I personally don’t understand it.
However, far more of you Frenchy’s flee that frozen hellhole in the winter to live on our Golf Courses, and it’s not even close!!
Anders Hedberg
May 21st, 2011
8:27 pm
wpgJetsfan – I totally agree. Lots of NHL players that never even had a Winnipeg connection have cottages within 2 hours of Winnipeg on Lake of the Woods.
I don’t live in Winnipeg but I have always thought it was a great city. For some reason – I got hooked on the Jets.
Dee Flame
May 21st, 2011
8:35 pm
Anders, are you tourism and trade official? I guarantee that 99.9 percent of the US population couldn’t find Winnipeg on a map if their lives depended on it. Relax, nobody cares.
Pegger8
May 21st, 2011
8:36 pm
Oh and yes the Royal Winnipeg Ballet is world renowned, we do have a top notch symphony as well, folk festival, fringe festival, a great local music scene, local movie scene, heritage buildings, theatres, etc etc etc. We aren’t only a sports city, the arts are alive and well in the peg!! Good of you to take the time to investigate. Next step is stop cleaning your shotgun on your front porch and get out and discover some of this great country to the North! Oh and we get as warm or warmer than you in the summer, minus all the humidity. There is a reason we are strong, and proud, not bitter and insecure like you.
Resigned
May 21st, 2011
8:39 pm
Go Away Thrashers…Go Away….No body in the South really cares where you go or stay….you can’t draw a crowd – no one wants to see you play. So Go Away!!!!!!!!!
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
8:41 pm
Dee Flame,
If you went downtown and stopped random people on the street asking them to point to Winnipeg on a globe, half would point somewhere in Europe.
Winnipeg is nothing. Completely irrelevant.
Resigned
May 21st, 2011
8:42 pm
Quit Crying in Your Beer – it is over – they are gone…….Atlanta is not and never will be a Hockey city……The SEC football games are ten times more important here…….nobody cares about Hockey……
phxismybitch
May 21st, 2011
8:43 pm
LOL….99.9% of the US population can’t find their own city on a map.
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
8:46 pm
“Oh and we get as warm or warmer than you in the summer, minus all the humidity.”
LIAR!!!
Manitoba is also prone to high humidity in the summer months with the extreme of 53.0 °C (127.4 °F) in Carman, which set the highest humidex recorded in Canada.
Get your facts straight. Winnipeg is a frozen hell hole half of the year, and a humid mess the rest of it. Horrible place to live.
Anders Hedberg
May 21st, 2011
8:49 pm
Dee – No but thanks for your interest. Because of your interest – I am just a retired hockey player turned investment analyst. I live in Toronto and I spend my time buying up distressed assets – companies and real estate – virtually all of which are American. Thrashers being bought by Canadians are really the tiny part of a very large trend.
Blame Canada
May 21st, 2011
8:49 pm
Frenchy’s,
Just thank us for your protection, commerce, and sustinence all these years and go back to your boring existence in WiniWhere. Time for you to go.
Your welcome
Anders Hedberg
May 21st, 2011
8:51 pm
Dee if you went and asked random Americans where Washington DC is they wouldn’t be able to tell you. It has more to do with Americans than the relevance of Winnipeg
Getthepuckouttahere
May 21st, 2011
8:54 pm
Atlantans can be proud of one thing…they now are the all time record holder…they lost not, one but two NHL teams!!!
Yet, losing two teams and still people will sit here and blame management for the problem. A young franchise, only around for 9 years and they’re supposed to win a Stanley Cup? They won a division, went to the playoffs and lost over $20 million dollars that year. It’s their fault, not the fans who like most people in Georgia expect eveything to be handed to them. Management is to blame because fans didn’t buy tickets, that’s rich. For those of you who were failed by the Georgia Public School system , or never attended school, EVER…think about it, no money coming in, no money to put a quality product on the ice. You had a quality team and in theeir one trip to the playoffs they lost, so you gave up on them. Never satisfied are you? Well you need not worry about that anymore, this team will move where the game is actually played by the fans and they eat, drink and sleep hockey. Y’all can get back to your grits now.
Former 680 fan
May 21st, 2011
8:55 pm
Kincaid, you’ve lost a lot of credibility over the last 10 days. I hope this fiasco with the Thrashers doesn’t put a crack in your 10 year run on the air. The lecture you delivered about Thrasher fans not buying tickets seemed a little contrived.You can’t possibly believe any sane person would pay for the product the Thrashers delivered since 2007.
Pete Puck
May 21st, 2011
9:01 pm
Getthepuckoutahere,
Do you want to keep the proud Thrasher name on the team? I doubt it.
Anders Hedberg
May 21st, 2011
9:03 pm
Hey Blame,
You keep doing something that deserves comment. You might have to read this slowly. I let it go, knowing the generally high illiteracy rate where you live, but you are misspelling your racial slur. The “s” you are adding to your word is because you are trying to use a plural form. You don’t use an apostrophe when converting singular to plural form of a noun. Your apostrophe looks as if you are trying to form a possessive noun which is not your intent.
Pete Puck
May 21st, 2011
9:04 pm
Are San Jose, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Dallas, Washington DC, Raleigh, Tampa and Miami hotbeds for youth hockey? If “playing the game” is so important, then why not restrict the NHL to the Northeast, Midwest and Canada?
Kincaid is an arrogant "know-it-all"
May 21st, 2011
9:05 pm
Kincaid has an odd strategy of lecturing, talking down to, and alienating his customers (a.k.a. listeners). He just does not get it. Radio is about ratings. People eventually tune out a guy like Kincaid. I am done with him.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 21st, 2011
9:05 pm
@ Blame Canada
I find it interesting you state people wouldn’t know where Winnipeg is on a map. I went to a Bank of America branch in Cobb to get a new debit card and she told me that since I originally opened my account in Massachusetts I had to wait for 3-5 business days. They only give cards out at the branch if you opened the account on the EAST COAST! True story. BRILLIANT. By any chance was that you?
To you Winnipeg might be irrelevant, but they have a hockey team and you just lost your second! …what a dope.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 21st, 2011
9:08 pm
@ Pete…Hell No!!! They’ve been Trashed, it’s not fair to keep that label on them at all. And good riddance to Blueland!