Mason: Ownership not 100 percent behind Thrashers
Chris Mason feels for Thrashers fans. The goaltender – and the rest his teammates – are in the same place.
Limbo.
While the Atlanta Spirit and True North Sports and Entertainment continued negotiations Tuesday on a deal that would sell and relocate the Thrashers to Winnipeg, Manitoba, fans and players wait for official word about the team’s future.
“Everybody is feeling different things,” Mason told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tuesday. “Everybody is in limbo. I keep getting phone calls [about various news reports]. It’s unnerving. You don’t know what’s going on and you can only wait and see how it all plays out. … You’ve got guys sitting here not know what is going on.
“The people getting shafted are the fans. No matter how much they want to keep the team, they don’t have a say in it.”
Mason said despite lagging attendance, he felt support from Thrashers fans.
“I definitely felt the support,” Mason said. “At games and especially when we were out talking to fans at events. You know there are die-hard hockey fans in Atlanta. It’s hard to maintain the interest when you don’t have success, especially from the casual fan. … One trip to the playoffs is not enough. If you win more people will come. In my opinion, that has a lot to do with the numbers.”
Mason, a Red Deer, Alberta native, said he would like to experience playing in a Canadian market, but not at the expense of Atlanta.
Mason said he did not feel Thrashers ownership was 100 percent behind the franchise. He cites how the team responded at the trade deadline as it made a push for the playoffs.
“I don’t think we were given a legitimate chance,” Mason said. “We made a couple of good moves for [Radek Dvorak] and [Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart] at the deadline. But it wasn’t enough. We were such a young team. It’s hard to make the playoffs. We believed we could win but sometimes you need someone who can score an extra goal or two or help on the power play. Our management was hampered by budget. It’s still hard to make the playoffs even if you have the money to spend. When you don’t have it, it’s even harder. You see it every year. Good teams don’t make the playoffs. A couple of more pieces and we could have been in.”
Talks between The Atlanta Spirit and True North continued Tuesday but no deal was reached. Winnipeg mayor Sam Katz told the National Post he expects news soon. “We certainly do believe it’s going to happen very shortly within the next couple of days,” Katz said. “We certainly do believe that.”
The two sides opened negotiations this month after Glendale, Ariz., made a commitment to cover up to $25 million in next season’s losses of the Coyotes, who otherwise likely would have moved to Winnipeg. The Atlanta Spirit has been looking for a buyer or investors for the Thrashers for several years. Co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. said in February that there was a sense of urgency to find a solution for the struggling franchise and that relocation was a possibility.
Meanwhile, Thrashers officials continued business as usual Tuesday with scouting meetings held.
Reed: ‘We will get through it’
Mayor Kasim Reed said Tuesday while it will hurt to lose the Thrashers, the city of Atlanta will move on.
Speaking to reporters, Reed said: “I think any time we lose a major sports franchise it is tough. It’s going to hurt the city, but we are going to withstand it just fine. We will get through it. We have a lot of positive things going on in the sports franchise space that I think we will be announcing pretty soon that will offset it a bit.”
Reed said he has tried to help the team find new ownership willing to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta. He has previously stated there would be no public money used in such an effort.
“The Thrashers, as you know, are in an extraordinary position because of the amount of losses that are associated with the team,” Reed said. “So we have not yet seen a path where we can reverse those losses fast enough. If you talk to the Atlanta Spirit ownership, they will share the same thing. It’s not a lack of the city being willing to step up and do something about it. It is a partner with deep enough pockets to be willing to sustain pretty significant losses. We have not yet had any of the individuals in our community who are prepared to take that on. But it has not been for lack of trying, believe you me.”
A plea: Please folks, let’s keep the commenting above board. I have deleted and banned posters for racist and anti-semitic remarks on other blogs. I will do it again to those posters who step over the line. I understand the passion for this issue, but I know you are capable of carrying on civil discussions. Thank you.
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174 comments Add your comment
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 24th, 2011
1:58 pm
FIRST!!!
Relocation News: All Winnipeg NHL related news Day 5 | Illegal Curve Hockey
May 24th, 2011
1:59 pm
[...] Journal Constitution: Chris Mason speaks out on how players didn’t feel ownership was 100% behind team. We here at IC love how candid Chris Mason is and have enjoyed having him on the show the past [...]
Brayne Varner
May 24th, 2011
1:59 pm
first?
Brayne Varner
May 24th, 2011
2:00 pm
you have made a powerful enemy Puck!
bananahead
May 24th, 2011
2:01 pm
Yeah, right Mayor. After all, we did see you try when you made that public appeal and got the people of Atlanta behind you on… let’s see… what date was that? Hmm… can’t seem to find it…. I know he MUST have said SOMETHING, because he said he was trying, right?
You’re worthless, Mayor. Thanks for nothing.
Me
May 24th, 2011
2:01 pm
“It’s not a lack of the city being willing to step up and do something about it.” That’s not what Glendale Arizona said. That’s not what Pittsburgh said.
ThrasherFan
May 24th, 2011
2:02 pm
If Kasim knew ANYTHING about hockey, I think his opinion would be different.
Tom
May 24th, 2011
2:02 pm
Translating Reed — These cats who are the owners of the Spirit are really connected. I need the Piedmont Driving Club to help me get re-elected so I am not going to mess with them.
Plus, if they still own the Hawks next season I get to go to any game I want…
Just saying
May 24th, 2011
2:03 pm
Couldn’t Reed being saying the same thing about the Hawks? Aren’t they for sale too? I wonder if it has anything to do with the make up of the team?
moriler
May 24th, 2011
2:04 pm
Reed’s such a chump. He might as well have said “I don’t like hockey anyway, so who cares?”
And people wonder why all the northern suburbs are cutting off the feeding tube to Atlanta? Right first try!
Franz Kafka
May 24th, 2011
2:05 pm
Good job being politically correct Mason…that or Thor glared at him for his previously vague comments. We need more of this from our players, limbo or not. The Yote players were vocal about not wanting to go to the frozen dookie pond. Players need to say what’s RIGHT rather than what’s acceptable. Contact with real life will cure everyone, even Winnipegians.
DWTOO
May 24th, 2011
2:05 pm
Might move to the city so I can vote against this worthless sack of cat stuff.
Thrashers27
May 24th, 2011
2:06 pm
Can I get a “DUH5″ on the headline and…
The mayor is an idiot. “Can’t reverse those losses fast enough.” Hey “mayor”, if you knew anything of the situation, you’d understand that the losses are due to the loser owners and if you would get off your lazy butt and stand up for something many of your “constituents” care about we may be able to find a solution and have ownership that cares take over. Glad I didn’t vote for you.
Tom
May 24th, 2011
2:06 pm
I wonder what the economic impact of losing the Thrashers will be to the city of Atlanta. The next time the city steps up and protects an industry or business that will leave the city with a comparable hit to the financial well being of the city can we stand up and call B$ on the mayor?
Brayne Varner
May 24th, 2011
2:06 pm
hey mayor, what about the families of the people who are losing their jobs because the thrashers are leaving? I don’t think they’re going to “withstand it just fine.” Glendale and even Pittsburgh made hockey happen in their respective cities, but your just watching them leave with the rest of us. the only difference is that you can do something about it!
bananahead
May 24th, 2011
2:07 pm
Oh, and by the way, thank you Chris for clarifying something you said earlier. Yes, all NHL players would love to play in front of a sold out crowd every night, and yes, you will get to do that in Winnepeg (at least for a while), but as you said, not at the expense of Atlanta. Thank you also for pointing out where the blame falls… the ownership. It sucks to play in front of small crowds, but I’m sure it sucks more knowing that ownership is creating that condition and that they never planned on improving it.
ATLfan
May 24th, 2011
2:07 pm
How Mayor can give up so quickly? It’s just embarrassing….
Bobby G
May 24th, 2011
2:08 pm
Another reason I will be relocating…
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 24th, 2011
2:09 pm
*drops the gloves*
ATLfan
May 24th, 2011
2:10 pm
Can someone send this forum link to Mayor so he could read what people really think about his statement and himself?
glovesave29
May 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
To the troll on the last blog who does not comprehend average and median…WOW! Really? How can you say how many $$$’s are brought in from a sellout unless you know EXACTLY how many seats are available at EACH price level? To simply take all of the different ticket prices in dollars and divide them by the number of price levels doesn’t work.
On this topic – I feel for Chris. I know he had a miserable season, but this uncertainty has gotta be killing him.
So what sports changes are we to expect soon, Mayor Reed. Are we joining the MLS? Why are you so small minded that we have to “replace” one that is leaving? Why not save that and add a team to the local roster? Be a 5 sports city.
Poot
May 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
I don’t think the mayor could name one player from the Thrashers if asked.
Zombie Steve
May 24th, 2011
2:15 pm
I will not be voting to reelect you, Mr Reed
Steve-o
May 24th, 2011
2:16 pm
Wow, thanks Mayor! It’s nice to see that you’ve been working 24/7 in your attempt to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta…a fanchise that you are already speaking about in the past tense even though no official announcement on the relocation has been made. Umm, could you name one thing you’ve done in your valiant effort to keep the team here?
Brayne Varner
May 24th, 2011
2:16 pm
I bet the sports changes he’s referring to is that the Falcons will be getting a new open air stadium. He’s perfectly willing to help pay for the Falcons but doesn’t care when it comes to the Thrashers.
This Guy Right Here
May 24th, 2011
2:17 pm
Hey Chris Vivlamore: I noticed on Anson Carter’s twitter that his group offered $350 million for the whole package. I know you’ve said all along that the chance of someone buying all 3 entities is a one in a million chance. Is this because you know for a fact that ASG doesn’t want to give up owernship of the Hawks and operating rights to Philips Arena? It almost sounds like they’ve been planning on moving the Thrashers all along. Just doesn’t seem right.
Angela: Chris Mason Fan
May 24th, 2011
2:18 pm
CORRECTON:
“…me AND the rest of the Thrashers STH Base are collectively….”
Deport the Mayor
May 24th, 2011
2:18 pm
GTFO.
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 24th, 2011
2:21 pm
Between the Mayor’s comments and the Beckhams considering naming their daughter “Atlanta,” it’s looking like Atlanta really is FINALLY getting a Major League Soccer team!
Please don’t give it a stupid name (like Generals or Legion), and PLEASE market it wisely (unlike the Silverbacks and, yes, Thrashers).
CatThrasher
May 24th, 2011
2:21 pm
Yep time to relocate…if I can find a buyer for my condo…No hockey=no life :*(
david
May 24th, 2011
2:22 pm
If the hawks were going to move he would try to stop them. Sorry, but it’s a typical Atlanta black, white issue
steve brown
May 24th, 2011
2:22 pm
After living and loving in Atlanta I feel for the “Brothers” the Thrashers brought in and their future “Hot” Winnipeg.
glovesave29
May 24th, 2011
2:23 pm
Puck – the Georgia Generals…I had forgotten about them!
If MLS comes to Atlanta…Chiefs is the way to go.
da' boomer
May 24th, 2011
2:27 pm
Mr Reed and the rest of the city council is as useless as the ASG clowns. While the city of Phoenix was able to round up the cash to help keep the Coyotes, our’s does absolutely nothing. And if anyone does not think there are racial factors that drive the ‘lack of action’ they are sadly mistaken. If this were the Hawks old Kasim would be leading the parade…
chris
May 24th, 2011
2:28 pm
If the MLS comes to Georgia, the team will play at KSU.
Sam
May 24th, 2011
2:28 pm
THANK YOU TO CHRIS MASON!!! REALLY APPRCIATE HIM STEPPING UP AND ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE LACK OF FAN SUPPORT IS NOT THE PROBLEM IN ATLANTA.
The fans are just the collateral damage as this deal with kickbacks to Bettman and profits to Levenson drive the process. It’s never been about a “covenant” to ATL’s fans, or any consideration to the team ,or to the staff who will lose their jobs when relocation happens. Money and power.
And thanks Mayor Reed FOR NOTHING. Wonder what his attitude would be if it were the Hawks being relocated?
Sam
May 24th, 2011
2:29 pm
Also heard that Chris Thorburn had said something similar in a TV interview, so thanks to Thorbs, too!
Erf
May 24th, 2011
2:29 pm
Thanks so much for all the help in keeping the team here Kasim Reed, you too Nathan Deal…
way to step up for the team both of you… really… no.. no… really.
*tongue planted firmly in cheek”
Sharon Massey
May 24th, 2011
2:29 pm
It would be nice to hear from Gov Deal on this topic. Maybe he could arrange for some of that state swag that Delta got to “stay in Atlanta”????????? The Atlanta Spirit owns the Thrashers for the same reason the Smith family owned the Falcons-to have a business loss to offset profits from other ventures. Notice that the Falcons did not become anything other than a league joke until the team was sold to an owner who wanted to own a WINNER and then the team became a winning team. It also helps when ownership does not allow team management to “live out a dream” by pretending they can coach. How can NHL think the ownership is serious when they allow the team president to “coach” for a season after firing a Stanley Cup winner 6 games into a season. That’s when I knew we were going to be losing our SECOND NHL team. Tired of the NHL allowing Atlanta a franchise only to move it once it’s got a name for itself to a city that doesn’t have a team. If this team leaves I’m DONE with the NHL & hockey as I’m tired of being treated like I don’t matter
glovesave29
May 24th, 2011
2:30 pm
BV – am I the only person that thinks there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with the Georgia Dome? They have kept it up waaaaaay better than Philips. All the Dome needs is the roof removed and do the facade in brick and glass instead of those silly color panels.
Tucker T
May 24th, 2011
2:31 pm
Most of you people are crazy. Reed is right. No city funds should be used to fund the Thrashers and who wants to buy a team that is losing significant money? Maybe if Ted Turner stepped up but besides him who has deep enough pockets to take that on. Not even Blank has that kind of money. It’s a tough economy, even the rich guys are losing money. They are still rich but not willing to take on a huge risk. Don’t make Reed the bad guy here.
Viking
May 24th, 2011
2:31 pm
Reed said: “We have a lot of positive things going on in the sports franchise space that I think we will be announcing pretty soon that will offset it a bit.”
I guess he is talking about lost revenue for the city and that “bit” must be tiny for whatever it is compared to an NHL team.
While I personally as an European would welcome soccer and attend a game or two per year if that’s it, but right now I can not imagine what a hockey-less Atlanta will do to my sport interests.
Kovy's Agent
May 24th, 2011
2:36 pm
Total neglect, just total neglect from those in positions of responsibility. What irks me the most, however, is these ASG clowns will still walk away making a bundle after this complete cluster. I think they always knew some desparate Canadian investor group would bail them out at some opportune tme so why spend anymore than absolutely necessary over the years and that’s what happened. The bad guys won and that just doesn’t sit well.
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 24th, 2011
2:37 pm
KSU/Beat Stadium is gorgeous, but it’s too small for MLS. If they did play there, I wouldn’t mind though. Great place to watch a match. I’d still prefer downtown, especially if Artie gets his new stadium near Allen Plaza.
DAVID
May 24th, 2011
2:38 pm
WHAT A TRIP THE SOUTH IS SUPPOSED TO BE AGAINST ALL GOVT HELP BUT MANY CHASTISE THE MAYOR for not givin a bailout to a hockey team that no one wants to see..lol..including the road cities…dispite having the 8th largest market your tv ratings were terrible only 6000 tv sets turned on…so the market size issue is a joke…google it….you dont deserve a hockey team!!! and im not canadian..
Deport TurnerSouth, again
May 24th, 2011
2:40 pm
Please cease with mentioning of Ted as a savior. He forgot the name of the Thrashers during an interview..about the Thrashers.
This Guy Right Here
May 24th, 2011
2:40 pm
DAVID, no one is asking for financial support from the gov’t. We’re only asking the mayor to put some pressure on ASG to actually make an effort to keep the team local.
Thrashers27
May 24th, 2011
2:40 pm
If Carter’s group did offer $350M, I would think that’s a more than fair deal and that Bettman should force ASG into taking it. As a matter of fact, as a penance for their sins against hockey Bettman should be able to force them to pay a new owner $100M just to take the team off of their hands. We all know that ain’t gonna happen, but seriously, $350M is enough. Make the deal, ASG, you freakin’ losers.
glovesave29
May 24th, 2011
2:40 pm
TT – Who asked for city funds to save the team? All someone merely did was point out that Glendale had done that. I love hockey – its the Mayors job to assist in any way to help to keep an asset in the city…but no one has asked for tax dollars to be used. What Glendale is doing is irresponsible to the public good and political suicide.
Thrashers27
May 24th, 2011
2:41 pm
David,
The difference is “expecting” a bailout. I don’t think anyone here “expects” it to happen, we’d just like to hear more concern from the mayor. He is demonstrating that he clearly doesn’t give a “bleep”.
PureEvil
May 24th, 2011
2:43 pm
I wonder what the economic impact of losing the Thrashers will be to the city of Atlanta.
The Thrashers played 41 home games. So that means there’s 41 new dates open at Philips Arena for some kick a$% concerts.
Thrashers27
May 24th, 2011
2:43 pm
…oh yeah. Soccer sucks.
Just saying
May 24th, 2011
2:44 pm
We are “allowed” to say that we feel if this were the Hawks instead of the Thrashers, Mayor Reed may feel differently. That is not racism C-Viv.
DAVID
May 24th, 2011
2:45 pm
GUYS,,THAT POST WAS A TAD HARSH…so i will step back…but you have to understand there are no local buyers….no one is willing ot take that chance,,and for those of you whoare as passionate as i am about hockey i feel for you!!!!..but there are not enough of you..
PureEvil
May 24th, 2011
2:54 pm
If the city isn’t willing to help the Falcons build a new stadium why does anyone think they would help the Thrashers stay? Most people in Atlanta don’t care about Hockey. The people in Atlanta would be pissed off if the city helped the team financially.
don
May 24th, 2011
2:56 pm
owers were not going spen money to get a winner coaches or players,might not make money.over paided joe johnson.
Chris
May 24th, 2011
2:59 pm
If this were the hawks this clown would break his back to help out. I will go out of state to attend concerts and such. The city of Atlanta does not want my money unless I give it on the corner to the drunk “homeless person”. FU Mayor and ASG.
glovesave29
May 24th, 2011
3:03 pm
Hey T27 – don’t hate on soccer. One of the problems in sports today is that kids don’t play all of the different sports. I can’t tell you how much playing baseball, football and soccer helped me with my hockey. I think there’d be fewer injuries if people would play other sports that exercise other muscle groups.
Dave
May 24th, 2011
3:05 pm
The KSU stadium can be expand to the regulation attendance for a MLS stadium. For the person who said Ted should buy the team back, he lost most of his money on the AOL crash. He has stated many time if had enough money, he would 1st buy CNN back.
For some reason the Hawks have a major buy out of they break the contract with Phillips Arena. Why was the same type of buy out set up for the Thrashers?
Angela: Chris Mason Fan
May 24th, 2011
3:10 pm
Couldn’t the Thrashers play at the Georgia Dome, as the Hawks did for a couple years while Philips was being constructed, so that the new LOCAL ownership wouldn’t have to deal with Atlanta Spirit?
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 24th, 2011
3:11 pm
Expanding KSU Stadium is already in the works for their football team, now that I think of it, so that sounds like a winner. I hope they can accommodate the parking needs though. That’s the only sports venue outside of downtown that I’m willing to drive so far to (major league sports are worth the trip).
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 24th, 2011
3:13 pm
The Georgia Dome would cost *way* more to cool for a hockey game, but soccer could work there short term…
ATLhockeyBlues
May 24th, 2011
3:17 pm
“Reed said he has tried to help the team find new ownership willing to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta. ”
Exactly what did he do? What did any of them do? I really would like specifics. What companies did they solicit? What press releases did they issue? http://www.keepthethrashers.com//videokeepthrashersreally.html
Red Light
May 24th, 2011
3:18 pm
If Carter’s group did offer $350 million for the mess the ASG created, then the white coats will be after them all soon.
Buck Fettman
May 24th, 2011
3:19 pm
Mayor is just showing his true colors.
ATLhockeyBlues
May 24th, 2011
3:19 pm
In addition, that’s 44 nights that parking attendants won’t make money. That’s 44 more nights that downtown will be a ghost town. That’s 44 more nights that MARTA will have no riders. That’s 44 more nights that cab drivers will have no fares. That’s 44 more night’s where Omni International businesses will lose even more money. Will we really get past this? Will really move? Some will, but more than many won’t
Joyaman
May 24th, 2011
3:25 pm
Let’s see. Bettman and the NHL owners spend several years and some of their own money attempting to save hockey in the desert, then Bettman takes about 15 minutes to declare the Thrashers situation hopeless and has the nerve to imply that it’s all about us fans not buying the snake oil that ASG pitchman Waddell has been trotting out for a decade.
Atlanta has more than enough true NHL fans that are willing to support ownership that’s honestly trying to field a contending club (see Arthur Blank and Ted Turner). The problem is that ASG was feeding everyone BS for years while secretly trying to sell off a team they never wanted to own, and to which they didn’t even hold clear title until last December. Those of us who actually understood what was really going on and weren’t willing to enable ASG’s sham are now being punished for being knowledgable and rational. This crap makes the whole Glenn Ford rumour that circulated just before the Flames left for Calgary seem legitimate by comparison.
Meanwhile back at City Hall, Mayor Reed seems to think that the only difference between hockey and soccer is skates and boots. It pisses me off to no end that the fate of NHL hockey in this town is being determined such an assortment of clowns and imbacilles, none of whom could tell you who Maurice Richard was or explain what icing is – unless it’s on a cake.
two faced Chris
May 24th, 2011
3:26 pm
Hey Chris Mason. Funny you were drooling about the chance to go to Winnipeg and play in the frozen tundra when you were on several Canadian radio shows. Stop talking out of both sides of your mouth. YOU TOLD THEM YOU HATED THE SILENCE and it wasn’t fun down here. Go play with your Star Wars action figures.
NHLFan
May 24th, 2011
3:27 pm
I think that the issue is an interesting contrast to the situation in Phoenix. Atlanta has the advantage of a basketball team that plays and draws fans so there is no black eye to the NHL for abandoning the team in Atlanta. Unfortunate, but also transparently bad management by the league. I can not believe there is a relocation fee as part of the sale (does this sound like a way to finance the losses in the desert?).
And why not Portland or Seattle? Why go back to a place that has failed before (sorry Atlanta).
EA
May 24th, 2011
3:34 pm
I was pretty upset with Chris Mason for his comments to the Canadien media. However, I will give him credit for perhaps thinking about the siutaion for a while and realizing what an injustice he was doing to the Atlanta fans.
Barry
May 24th, 2011
3:37 pm
Wow not only has ASG and Gary Bettman given up on us, but the Mayor of Atlanta has as well. And people wonder why hockey doesn’t seem to work down here…because the people at the top don’t give a crap!!!
Random Thoughts
May 24th, 2011
3:49 pm
The ASG has the ability to screw things so if the deals falls through don’t be surprised.
Nice job with mason….it’s refreshing to hear some honesty and don’t think for a minute that players don’t understand how ASG are the most unorganized and greedy owners, perhaps of all time.
Long live the thrashers in atl
PureEvil
May 24th, 2011
4:06 pm
And people wonder why hockey doesn’t seem to work down here
It’s hard to argue with the fact that now 2 NHL franchises have left Atlanta. It’s very doubtful we ever get another.
jimcee
May 24th, 2011
4:07 pm
Incredibly weak commentary from the mayor of such a major city.However,to fans in other cities that are thinking about cutting their nose to spite their face this serves as a sad lesson.As poor as ownership has performed you are either a fan or you aren’t.What if the Thrashers had made the playoffs and were on a Cup run? I have a feeling most fans would forget about the owners and get behind the team.Still can’t believe no one stepped forward locally to save this team…makes Atlanta look pretty bad next to Nashville,Tampa,Buffalo,Pittsburgh,Florida (Miami) and Dallas.And to people who say it’s a college football town…yeah so what? 99.9% of all NCAA football players won’t make the NFL or CFL…they are not good enough! You have the BEST professional hockey players in the world playing in and visiting Atlanta playing to rows of empty seats,disgruntled fans and all the mayor can say is it’s too bad…unbelievable.
PureEvil
May 24th, 2011
4:13 pm
If this was any other team in Atlanta this blog would be 50 pages long by now. Hell the Braves blog regularly goes 20 pages just for 1 game.
EA
May 24th, 2011
4:16 pm
PureEvil-we have had several pages on 4 different blogs for weeks.
PureEvil
May 24th, 2011
4:28 pm
EA- All I’m saying is the Thrashers moving doesn’t generate near as much fan fare as it would if any other team in Atlanta was moving. It’s barely even front page of the sports section material. Which is unfortunate but true.
R. Stroz
May 24th, 2011
4:29 pm
Kasim Reed is too ignorant to “understand” how those losses are “created” by the ASG. BTW, Mr. Reed, according to the ASG, the Hawks are “losing” money as well.
The mayor cites the ASG as a source to validate his point. What a useless tool!
Hopefully, the city of Atlanta can “withstand” the impending boycotts and backlash by vendors left “out in the cold’ by his abject poverty in the intelligence department.
PureEvil
May 24th, 2011
4:30 pm
Gwinnett county is nearly broke.
Dana Blankenhorn
May 24th, 2011
4:32 pm
I’m not interested in having my tax money go to a bunch of billionaires. Period. If Gwinnett County is so hot-up for hockey, why haven’t I heard word one from their county commissioners about paying the $25 m and putting the Thrashers in the Gwinnett Arena for a year, pending a sale to a suburban consortium?
It’s because suburban taxpayers aren’t chumps, either.
David F
May 24th, 2011
4:54 pm
As excited as we in Winnipeg are to be getting the Thrashers, everyone i know take no happiness of this being at your expense. Business can suck sometimes and we have been on this road before, so we know well how this feels for the Thrasher fans. For the record, we will embrace this team with open arms, sell out every game, and remember where this team came from.
MikeJ
May 24th, 2011
4:58 pm
What’s helping seal the deal (imho) is that this is all private money willing to pay for the Thrashers to move to Winnipeg. No government handouts required. Remember the CA$ and US$ are around par now and the Canadian economy said, basically, “what recession?”. No foreclosures, low unemployment.. WIll be good for a few years anyhow.
EA
May 24th, 2011
5:01 pm
David, if you all are still selling out after 11 years with no playoff wins, then your city really does want to go to hockey games above all else. Thanks for the kind words. We appreciate the Canadien fans that do understand this is a loss for us.
Athrasherfan13
May 24th, 2011
5:12 pm
Everybody and their brother has had something to say or offered viewpoints and potential solutions about the sale of the Thrashers. Hell, John Kincade kept up his farce for well over three months….as misplaced as it was he at least did something. Neither Kasim Reed nor any of his administration have done anything to keep this franchise in Atlanta. It is my guess that the ASG has pledged a number of season seats to the less-than- honorable Mayor in exchange for his NOT rocking the boat with regard to the Thrashers. Mayor Reed, stop blowing smoke up everyone rear end…..personally I’ve had enough.
AGTFan
May 24th, 2011
5:25 pm
Boycott the NHL. Boycott anyone who sponsors the NHL. Put the blame where the blame belongs. ASG and the NHL.
charliedawg
May 24th, 2011
5:34 pm
Thanks for the sentiment David F. ASG buying the Hawks/Thrashers was a case of nepotism anyway when Time Warner sold them, Ted’s son-in-law basically came in at the last minute and stole the purchase from David McDavid. Anyone remember him? Sued Time Warner and won, maybe things would have been much better Ted hadn’t been a softie with his daughter’s husband……..
FrustratedThrasherFan
May 24th, 2011
5:48 pm
Thanks Chris and Thor,
The real losers in this will be the wives and children of the players who have established roots here in ATL, especially the children. The average temperature year round in Winnipeg is 35F. It is the windiest Canadian city (which goes nicely with the temp) AND it the Homicide capitol of Canada.
Unfortunately, I think the deal is done but I will cheer for you Thrasher players on the team right now wherever you go; will try to get to Nashville and Tampa to see you. I think we ended the season with a great team, great coaches, and a great GM in Rick Dudley. We would have made it to the playoffs next year. This is a true tragedy for all us who care about the Thrashers.
G52PlM228
May 24th, 2011
5:49 pm
What did I say
R. Stroz
May 24th, 2011
6:06 pm
Add Kasim Reed to the list of individuals who have inhaled the ASG’s appendage of procreation.
jw
May 24th, 2011
6:13 pm
just wish the commissioner of the NHL would come out and say it’s a planned deal with behind the scenes negotiating from the NHL instead of telling everyone (straight faced, too!) that it’s an attendance and fan issue. When your players discuss the ineptitude of management, how can you stand in front of America and make this a fan issue? We know the time is near – just be honest about what the NHL is doing to keep a promise to Winnipeg.
soonahockeywidow
May 24th, 2011
6:18 pm
Frustrated thrasher fan: FYI 39 murders in Winnipeg 2006…Atlanta 110 in 2006
we promise not to let your thrasher wives and children get murdered….as for the temp we have about 70 temperature range from our coldest temps in winter to warmest temps in summer
soonahockeywidow
May 24th, 2011
6:19 pm
that’s a 70 degree temp range
FrustratedThrasherFan
May 24th, 2011
6:51 pm
soonahockeywidow: By your name apparently you are not a Hockey fan. Yuh, 70 degree temp swing from below zero up to 60 maybe. Don’t forget to factor in your windchill to drive that below zero temp even lower. I’m sure the Thrasher wives and children are relieved that you’ll protect them. Say what you will you’ll find out soon enough just how unhappy the Thrasher players are about being ‘forced’ to move to Winnipeg.
EA
May 24th, 2011
6:52 pm
I am waiting for Bryan Little to clarify his remarks–while he did say Atlanta has some die hard fans–he then said, “maybe it is for the best, they have a hard time selling tickets there”–. What a slap in the face to Thrasher fans.
audit needed
May 24th, 2011
7:00 pm
Why does everyone keep taking the ASG at their word about these supposed “losses”? Have they shown anyone proof?
kickback
May 24th, 2011
7:06 pm
Hey Reed,
Stop kissing ASG butt just so you can get free Hawks tickets. Thanks.
EA
May 24th, 2011
7:29 pm
Mayor Reed’s comments have been picked up by all of the Canadien newspapers. How embarassing.
colga87
May 24th, 2011
7:43 pm
It’s not the fans that is the cause of the likely move, it’s the lack of fans. I understand that there are many reasons why people stopped showing up or never attended a game. I’ve lived in a city that lost more than two teams (not NHL) and it was always primarily because of a lack of support from the community. I feel bad for the fans that stuck it out, it’s not your fault.
nice going Bettman
May 24th, 2011
7:49 pm
How did the ASG ever get approved by the NHL to buy the Thrashers in the first place?
Atlanta is no different than many other NHL cities
May 24th, 2011
7:58 pm
The Predators, Hurricanes, Lightning, Panthers, Stars, Ducks, and Sharks would have all been bought and moved to another city if they were purchased by the ASG after year 3. And you can possibly add the Avalanche and Blue Jackets to that list too.
soonahockeywidow
May 24th, 2011
8:02 pm
ToFrustrated: No one wants a transfer. I am sure the move will be hard on some players. If a team magically dropped out of the sky available to the people of winnipeg great…but not gunna happen. Even If it did, you would still have a team in Atlanta with terrible ownership, no new financial backers on the horizon,and sadly a city mayor who doesn’t seem to care. That’s not Winnipeg’s fault. Direct your anger at the right place!!!
By the way summer temps run 95 degrees
Hey wasn’t that you I saw at the fan rally in ATL?
Astonished
May 24th, 2011
8:06 pm
Has anybody been writing to David McDavid now that he should have his $281 Million settlement from Time Warner over the breach of contract when Spirit bought all the properties? Who could be better to save the Thrashers now that Spirit wants to sell it all? He might even be able to buy at less than the cost in 2003 when you figure in his lawsuit winnings!
Let McDavid know the fans will support him if he buys the Thrash, Hawks and Philips Arena and gets them away from Spirit! Spread the word and email, write and call David McDavid today!!!! It’s late in the game but he’s from Dallas: The Mavs’ cause looked hopeless in OKC Monday night, but they still pulled out a win in overtime!
http://www.mcdavidcompanies.com/contact.php
Mr David McDavid
Chairman/CEO
McDavid Companies
17120 N. Dallas Parkway Suite 235
Dallas, TX 75248
T. 972.716.0300
F. 972.250.1715
Mayor McCheese
May 24th, 2011
8:07 pm
Can somebody please tell me what in the mayor’s powers he has to coerce a private entity on how to act when it comes to their own business matters? There’s no kickbacks, no black mayor doesn’t care about white sports, no he’s on the ASG payroll. He simply realizes that it’s not worth his time to fight it because he know he can’t win.
NoDawgsAllowed
May 24th, 2011
8:22 pm
LOL at the mayor & the offset comment. At least he’s proven good for a laugh once in a while, I was starting to think he was completely useless & wouldn’t even provide unintentional comedy value.
Puck Headlines: Mayor talks losing Thrashers; Red Wings’ D options | | sportsport
May 24th, 2011
8:27 pm
[...] • Atlanta Thrashers goalie Chris Mason on not knowing where the team will play in 2011-12: "It’s unnerving. You don’t know what’s going on and you can only wait and see how it all plays out. … You’ve got guys sitting here not know what is going on. The people getting shafted are the fans. No matter how much they want to keep the team, they don’t have a say in it." [AJC] [...]
MrBill
May 24th, 2011
8:28 pm
Hey don’t give up see a recent poll that the majority of Winnipegers don’t believe a deal will happen right now 27% don’t believe it will happen.
When do you think the announcement of the NHL returning to Winnipeg will happen?
Wednesday 12%
Thursday 18%
Friday 21%
Next week 20%
Never 27%
Total Votes: 607
CanadianCanuck
May 24th, 2011
8:31 pm
How was a team ever going to survive in Atlanta? The town is all black, and the Hawks barely draw decent crowds. No way a hockey team was going to.
Get Out Of Atlanta
May 24th, 2011
8:39 pm
Don’t blame Reed a bit for not wanting to put any backing in the Thrashers……why back a losing deal? So they go away – big freaking deal – the world is not going to end. So Good Riddance….
Pegger8
May 24th, 2011
8:44 pm
Deal is now done! So we can stop the guessing game – Thrashers to the Peg!
Pegger8
May 24th, 2011
8:44 pm
HUGE party at Portage and Main tonight!
Billsen
May 24th, 2011
8:48 pm
Since “only 200″ Islander fans showed up to show support for a new arena on Long Island, I wonder how long it will be before they lose their team to Winnipeg?
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/coliseum-advocates-build-it-now-1.2895712?qr=1
Pegger8
May 24th, 2011
8:49 pm
And “done” for real this time… Sorry to Atlanta, and the true hockey fans in that town, we know the feeling.
FrustratedThrasherFan
May 24th, 2011
8:57 pm
to: soonahockeywidow: I couldn’t agree more with you about the mayor. Apparently he has no concern about the people that will be out of work directly and indirectly. The problem here is ASG.
They disenheartened the fans and the players. I was envious of the Sabres when they were bought by an enthusiastic owner. Hockey can make it here. I’m a transplant from Boston and play in a league that plays on the Thrasher ice. There are a lot of us and a lot of the GA natives have taken the game up. It’s gotten huge with the leagues for children here.
All I can say is the Winnepeg fans better be ready to lay out some cash to go along with the enthusiasm if the Franchise is to succeed there. Good luck with it.
KLS1
May 24th, 2011
9:05 pm
This ASG group is so screwed up that Jesus himself couldn’t rescue this team. They need to leave town immediately.
I don’t blame anyone but them for this issue, just wish the NHL would force them to sell local and not let them profit for running a team into the ground and then selling to the highest bidder.
The precedent has been set…don’t think other owners aren’t watching and thinking relocation could pad their pockets.
Keep Hockey in Atlanta
May 24th, 2011
9:16 pm
@Pegger
Where you getting your news from?
Dan
May 24th, 2011
9:30 pm
When Winnipeg previously had a hockey team they averaged less people per game than the Thrashers are averaging now. Their entire metro population is only around 700,000 people compared to Atlanta being around 5.3 million people. Also, I bet the Reed will waste millions of dollars on building the Falcons a new stadium that is not even needed. The GA Dome is just fine.
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 24th, 2011
9:38 pm
Chris Mason: http://tinyurl.com/6z7ljer
A Rat's Posterior - From Whom?
May 24th, 2011
9:41 pm
OK – First of all. Why does anyone care about a sport that can only muster enough support to appear on the Outdoor Hunting, Four-Wheeling and Frog Digging Channel! The World’s Womens Ultimate Arm Flabbing Championship would draw more viewers than an Atlanta Thashers game. I was at a bar a few months ago and the bartender turned the channel to the Thrashers. A couple of patrons got irritated and asked the bartender if she could turn the channel back to the informercial for the Dice Em-Slice Em Vegomatic they were watching. They said it was more interesting. I agree.
Keep Hockey in Atlanta
May 24th, 2011
9:44 pm
The Dome may be fine but football should be played outside(especially in the south).
Pegger8
May 24th, 2011
10:05 pm
I can’t say where, but people with a connection to Chipman. The Winnipeg Sun also has the story now (Tom Brodbeck – he has the same connection). Not saying it to gloat or rub salt in the wounds, as I said we went through this 15 years ago. Rather just to put an end to the speculation. But I think everyone knew it was close. BoG approval is all that is needed now apparently, but that I don’t know for sure. Take it for what its worth, but I trust this source. Sorry again to Atlanta hockey fans, we are ecstatic in the Peg, but we don’t feel like we “won” by any stretch. Real hockey fans in this town (which is most) won’t forget this teams history and roots.
Red Wings Fan
May 24th, 2011
10:22 pm
Just came to this blog to see what you guys were saying about Bettman. Looks like you guys are seeing what we have felt for years. He sits behind his litle desk and pulls the strings on his little League. This guy is the most arrogant manipulator in sports history. Every Wings fan can’t stand him. Sorry, Atlanta. You deserve better.
Thanks
May 24th, 2011
10:27 pm
@Pegger8 Thanks for stopping by to gloat!!!
Brian powdertown
May 24th, 2011
10:49 pm
Boycott honda first do not buy a honda.
Billsen
May 24th, 2011
10:58 pm
CHRIS!!!! Anson Carter says he had made a $350 Million offer to ASG last spring, and was rejected – why no coverage of this? https://twitter.com/#!/AnsonCarterLA
Anders Hedberg
May 24th, 2011
11:27 pm
@Dan
Yes – Winnipeg is small – Winnipeg and the surrounding area have about 800, 000 and yes the entire Atlanta area is about 5.5 million. What is your point? There are still more hockey fans in Winnipeg. Hockey is what MOST people in Winnipeg talk about. Dan, there are well over 1 billion people in each of China and India. If numbers meant everything, the next expansion teams should be in Beijing and Mumbai.
The NHL has tried to force a square peg into a round hole with markets like Atlanta, Phoenix and Miami. It didn’t really work out the way Bettman thought it would. To make matters worse, in some of these markets, there have been some pretty shady people with very shady financial arrangements. Because the NHL had been in such a rush, motivated by what they saw as the future, they actually did business with guys like Boots Del Biaggio and Bruce McNall without due diligence. This obviously made things even worse. On top of this, the NHL has over the past 15 years, turned its back on its true core fans in Canada and the Northern US. So the push to turn the NHL into another NBA failed and even risked turning away the diehard fans who had played and followed the game all of their lives.
The NHL will never be the NBA or the NFL or MLB. Why? Because the vast majority of what is still the biggest consumer market in the world doesn’t care a lot about hockey. That’s it. So, the NHL will thrive in original six markets and in Canadian markets but it will not in many parts of the US where it is just not part of the culture. Yes, that means it will be perpetually a smaller league than NBA/NFL/MLB and that is life.
This experiment with ice hockey played in places where most people don’t care about hockey hasn’t worked out too well.
thrasherdawg
May 25th, 2011
12:37 am
Kasim Reed is a joke!
If the facts are correct, the Thrashers bring in somewhere between $30 & $40 million dollars in revenue for the city of Atlanta each year. If the mayor thought like a business man instead of a politician, the city could offer a $20 million dollar bond (covering one year of the shorfall / losses) that would keep the Thrashers here one more year. This would give a reasonable time to find an owner ( not 4 weeks). This gives the fans a chance to show up to the games. The $20 million dollar bond would cost the taxpayer less in taxes than the shortfall of the 30 to 40 million dollars the city is no receiving. Thus the taxpayers are actually better off.
I know many will assume it’s not true but if that is your position, you don’t understand finance. Do the math.
You can’t sale a house in a month but you can sell a 110 million dollar NHL franchise in 10 days.
Bettman is pathetic…he is putting a short term fix…MONEY…. ahead of integrity and what is best for the long term success of the sport. Must be the new NHL.
In closing, I’m not saying Winnipeg shouldn’t get a franchise….Just let them pay the 90 million dollars for the franchise fee and everyone is happy.
I can’t wait till the Falcon’s leave the city. Wish they could take the Braves with them.
Les Habitants
May 25th, 2011
12:47 am
Anders,
Spot on. While Atlanta metro has 7 times the population of Winnipeg metro, the product offered by the Thrashers is not necessarily what the market wants. In marketing terms, the product has too many competitors and the market puts it lower in its preference.
Atlanta metro: Falcons, Braves, Hawks, Panthers, Yellow Jackets.
Winnipeg metro: Blue Bombers, Moose, Bisons.
However, Bombers are in a smaller league and CIS is not held in such high profile as NCAA. Moose would likely move when the old Thrashers move in.
Therefore, the market for an NHL team is actually larger in Winnipeg than it is in Atlanta. The fact that current median household income in Winnipeg is higher than it is in Atlanta helps too.
Anders Hedberg
May 25th, 2011
1:45 am
@Les Habitants,
Thanks for your comments. For the reasons outlined in my post above, Quebec City is next. The NHL MUST include Quebec City. Then another team in Southern Ontario. And that is just a start of returning these teams to the cities that love hockey. Where will all these teams come from? I guess we will see over the next few years…
Paddy
May 25th, 2011
6:50 am
For the ASG to admit that it takes additional owners with deeper pockets to continue is not truthful. As reported by the AJC, they have been trying to sell the team as soon as they bought the team. Why would you want the team now, after big loses, and you didn’t want the team when you firtst purchased it? Can’t this group ever tell the truth!
Dingdong
May 25th, 2011
7:09 am
@rats
Imagine Thrashers hockey being so dull and useless to you that you felt compelled to comment a blog about it. That makes a lot of sense. What a good story about the bar also, drunks sure know what is best for them, I actually pictured you all drinking Zima’s, no wonder you were bored.
South_Armagh
May 25th, 2011
7:28 am
Moose Hedberg gets it, thanks to the former Thrasher for the kind words about the situation in Atlanta involving frauds, money and power.
Felonious
May 25th, 2011
8:37 am
If Kazam thinks that Atlanta is going to come out of this unscathed he is sadly mistaken. I feel bad for the fans.
jimcee
May 25th, 2011
9:50 am
Anders is 100% correct.If one googles the world’s most popular team sports, ice hockey is dwarfed by soccer,cricket,rugby,field hockey,basketball,American football,baseball etc.There are 7 billion people on the planet and perhaps 10-20 million play ice hockey…most of them in the Big Seven Hockey Nations of Canada,Russia,USA,Sweden,Finland,Czech Republic,Slovakia and to a much lesser extent Switzerland,Germany,Norway,Denmark and Austria.
Krust
May 25th, 2011
10:17 am
How Can we call the mayors office?
FormerIslesFan
May 25th, 2011
10:23 am
C-Viv,
I saw the same tweet from Anson Carter as well and was wondering the same thing. Would you please put your investigative journalism skills to this rabbit hole (if you have not already) and see what the deal is behind it? My understanding of the NHL bylaws is that a relocation cannot be made if there is a good-faith offer/interest that exists. If this is true, and I would love to know if it is true, this is something that needs to be looked into, no?
http://twitter.com/#!/ansoncarterla Look specifically at the second-to-last tweet from May 23.
Birdman
May 25th, 2011
10:44 am
Sherman, Petrino and now Spirit LLC. Who’s the next person or group to take a dump on Atlanta? I hope these spineless less than human worms get what they deserve.
rob
May 25th, 2011
10:50 am
Atlanta is probably the best southern city where hockey actually could succeed if done right. There is a pretty good interest in the northern burbs, not just for the Thrashers, but for the sport itself. A lot of kids are getting into the sport, which begins to build your base moving into the future. I am from Buffalo originally so understand hockey. My kids (4&6) have gotten hooked and are skating and playing now. Their aunts, uncles, and grandparents, all born/raised here all wanted to go to games next year now that the kids are into it and went regularly. Winnipeg and Quebec are already hockey places. The interest is here, just look at attendance before ASG took over. Taking the team now spoils hockey here for good, which, long term, is bad for the league. There has to be a better way. A solid team here would be a boon for the whole league. A solid team in Winnipeg or Quebec, where hockey is already the holy grail…….not so much. I guess I will just deal with life without hockey, enjoyed all the games, even when the on ice product wasn’t good, it was still better than any other sport on Earth. Sad that the league, the ASG, and the City are so short sighted.
Keep Hockey in Atlanta
May 25th, 2011
11:12 am
I agree with FormerIslesfan this Anson Carter thing needs to be investigated. If the ASG really did turn down an offer of $350 million i’m sure they could be sued for not acting in good faith.
Stop Embarrassing Us
May 25th, 2011
11:41 am
So this is where the racists come huh? You sound like a bunch of idiot rednecks. It’s one black guys fault? Not the white people who own the team and not the white fans who won’t go and support the team. Nobody in this city has $110 million? You guys want Arthur Blank to do everything, buy every sports team so that you can watch them on TV.
You’re the same people who wanted the Spirit instead of McDavid. The irony… Why isn’t the state stepping in? Face it, if you’re a fan you have to go because if not, THE TEAM MAY LEAVE.
How many of you guys posted that the problem was the AJC? Read the posts here if you want to know why NOBODY in hockey is standing up for Atlanta. Times are too tight to just give ticket money away to guys who don’t care about hockey at all. I understand that but how many excuses can one town have for low attendance for all sporting events?
I have been in that building for hockey when I know that there were fewer than 7,000 people there. Minnesota lost a hockey team and they supported them. Yeah, we got screwed. Grow up, that’s life.
DawgDad
May 25th, 2011
11:57 am
MLS is going to offset the loss of the Thrashers??? HA HA HA HA HA HA . . .
Good riddance. Get them out of here already.
OHL
May 25th, 2011
12:15 pm
This argument of “Atlanta is a big city and Winnipeg is small” has got to stop. Think of it this way. Atlanta has 5+ million people. Calgary has 900+ thousand. But Calgary has been #6 in NHL attendance the last 5 years, had no problem holding onto Jarome Iginla when he was last a free agent, and lured the #1 free agent Jay Bouwmeester out of sunny South Florida and into freezing cold Alberta. Looking at all that, who would believe that the Flames aren’t doing just fine where they are right now?
buckhead resident
May 25th, 2011
12:25 pm
On a good note, the San Jose Sharks and Dany Heatley were eliminated from the playoffs.
Egghead
May 25th, 2011
12:35 pm
Well have to say sorry to all the true fans down there. Been thru this 16 years ago when the Jets split.Yeah sounds like the thrasher owners thru in the towel and Bettman is the biggest worm going. Never trust that guy. Man his mother probaly hates him. It looked like the Coyotes were toast until their stupid mayor ponied up another 25 million to “rent” the team another year. Lets face it, hockey in Arizona is a total disaster. They have tried to sell team, for several years and no ones touching it. Why? because other then the 14 fans they have no one cares to watch hockey and no one is dumb enough to invest their own bread. I imagine they will be toast as soon as Quebec builds an arena. All this rental did was buy the NHL time. If Glendale did not pony up another 25 they would have been gone pronto to Winnipeg.The reason Bettman has put 100 times more effort into the Yotes situation is that the NHL owns that team. Now that their dumb azz mayor ponied up some rental money its all good. If not Yotes to the Peg and Atlanta would continue to be where it is albeit losing money. Bettman took care of the BOG first. He doesn’t give a rats tail if Atlanta owners lose money every year. No concern to him what so ever. I keep hearing from fans how much Bettman cares about them. One word for that midget. WORM Sincerly sorry for you true Thrashers fans.
EA
May 25th, 2011
1:02 pm
ADD Moose Hedberg to the growing list of personnel calling out this ownership group. He tells the NJ Devils Fire and Ice blog that the fans never had a chance with this group. He said Atlanta has strong fans and would be a good hockey city with the right ownership. He also calls the situation SAD.
Jill Mitchell
May 25th, 2011
1:17 pm
I think at least Winnipeg will fill their stands. Is there even snow in Atlanta?
Puckface
May 25th, 2011
1:23 pm
Hockey may have fans in Atlanta but it has as many fans as roller derby or high school girls lacross, whose fans I’m sure are very passionate as are Thrashers fans, but don’t warrant losing millions of dollars nor trying to build a ‘fan base’. Go Thrashers, get the hell outta here. You tried.
JKS
May 25th, 2011
1:58 pm
I thought collusion was against the law….
da' boomer
May 25th, 2011
2:14 pm
Great article from Bleacher Report:
http://tinyurl.com/43qteph
I truly hate each and everyone of those ass clowns
da' boomer
May 25th, 2011
2:17 pm
PuckFace & Jill Mitchell – you both should shut up..that way no one would know how really stupid and ignorant your really are…read the article I just posted…of course I am making a big assumption.
Did the Mayor Really Make an Effort?
May 25th, 2011
2:23 pm
Despite pleas for help over 90 days ago, the Mayor has done next to nothing – we are not asking for public funds – we are asking for leadership to protect a community asset:
http://www.keepthethrashers.com/videokeepthrashersATL.html
colga87
May 25th, 2011
3:17 pm
I was thrilled to watch Vancouver win. I have family there. After, I looked forward to seeing the Worm present the trophy. I knew he would not be received in a civil manner. He disappointed me by not showing up with his worthless butt.
audette28
May 25th, 2011
3:49 pm
hawks have a clause that they must play in philips until bond deal is over– that is 2028. Thrashers have no such clause.
Mayor Reed probably did little, but it has little to do with black or white– it’s about green.
G52 is a Coyote BumbNuts Fan
May 25th, 2011
3:51 pm
NEWS: MAY.25th.Arizona Central: Sources: (google it)
G52 – See my posts everywhere on your site – ( a contributor to the AJC Blog) recently stated,from an Arizona blog in LOOSERGLEN ARIZONA, That he will come out of the closet after he continues to attack Atlanta fans after his team the, the Failed Coyotes, being propped up by the NHL’S G Bettman.to the sum of 37 million last year and 25 million this season. He insists Atlanta is a LOOSER TEAM and says” Atlanta Fans lose is the Coyotes Savior, as the CITY of GLENDALE is paying for the teams 15 yrs of losses in the desert.
Although G52 has been reported to suffer mental ilness, he continues to bash Atlanta Fans. To comment on his hockey posts, please vist AZ Central…Glendale / Sports / Coyotes .
D. Morgan
May 25th, 2011
3:52 pm
Is the NFL lockout over yet?
Atlanta Shortsighted $ Grab, LLC
May 25th, 2011
4:02 pm
Enjoy your NBA lockout fools!!
G52PIM228
May 25th, 2011
6:10 pm
I have driven you insane, how funny..
WPG Jets 2011
May 25th, 2011
6:20 pm
To the Winnipeggers making comments about attendace, please look at the situation more closely. Atlanta was getting 13-14000 fans to their games, a solid fan base and more than enough to make a serious go of a franchise there. Phoenix was getting anywhere from 5-8000 most nights and Bettman will fight to the death to keep that franchise, yet Atlanta did not get the same benefit from him or the NHL. I hate to see real fans lose their team, when Phoenix, who has practically no fan base, and from what I can tell no real passion in whatever base they have, get to keep theirs and have the commissioner allow the loss of millions and millions of dollars – when nobody there seems to care about that team. You have to admit, something doesn’t smell right about this. As bad as ownership is with the Thrashers, they got zero assistance from Bettman or the league when you compare to Phoenix.
OHL
May 25th, 2011
6:26 pm
WPG Jets 2011,
The problem with what you said is that Phx was not getting 5-8000 fans per night as you say, rather it was in the same neighborhood of Atlanta of say 14,000 per night. So they had equal fan bases. The next thing that comes up is that Glendale put up $25 million, Atlanta didn’t. Advantage: Phoenix. Now you know why things are happening the way they are with Bettman’s support. Phoenix put up millions of $$ for their team, Atlanta didn’t.
WPG Jets 2011
May 25th, 2011
6:31 pm
OHL
Agreed, but Bettman spent far more time trying to find ownership for Phoenix, and other franchises as well I know that the Atlanta franchise was tied in with the Arena and the Hawks, but there seems to have been no effort on Bettmans part to help this franchise, especially when he talks of how the NHL’s policy is to not have any franchise move. I’m just saying from the outside looking in (I’m in Winnipeg) it doesn’t appear that Bettman gave as much attention to the ownership situation here as he has done in several other cities.
WPG Jets 2011
May 25th, 2011
6:39 pm
OHL
Forgot to address attedence. According to http://www.mynhltraderumors.com/2011/01/19/nhl-attendance-for-each-team-after-20-home-games/ Coyotes had 2010/11 averaged 10.400 (many people agree however that these figures included 2 for 1 and give aways) Atlanta according to same source was 12,400 – so I don’t think there attendance figures are that close at all.
OHL
May 25th, 2011
6:49 pm
WPG Jets 2011,
1) The site you sourced has Phoenix at 10,840, not the 10,400 that you quoted above. I know it’s picky but it shows you are not factually correct when you quote sources.
2) Both 10,400 and 10,840 are far above the 5-8000 that you quoted earlier.
3) Your source is only for 20 games, not the 41 that are played in a full season
3) Phoenix actually averaged 12,188 for the full season which again is far above the 5-8000 number you quoted. My source can be verified right here – http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance
Please get your facts straight as some others have said. Your numbers are way off. 5-8000 when they were actually over 12,000? That’s just flat out lying, not just being a little off.
WPG Jets 2011
May 25th, 2011
6:57 pm
OHL
Sorry but first, I don’t lie, second your source or mine doesn’t matter, Phoenix’s own media says that half that arena is papered and those attendance figures are not right. Atlanta doesn’t give tickets away. Not sure why you are so enamored with the Phoenix franchise, but they should be in Winnipeg and the Thrashers should be in Atlanta – good talking to you
OHL
May 25th, 2011
6:57 pm
WPG Jets 2011,
Phoenix put up $25 million. The fact is that Bettman should not be looking for a new owner for Phoenix OR Atlanta. He should be looking for a new owner for Columbus. They put up decent numbers the entire time before the strike, repeatedly in the top 12 in NHL attendance. Even this year and 2 years ago, they are in the top 10 tv markets for national hockey events when their team is not involved, things like the Stanley Cup Finals or Winter Classic. Columbus also ranks very high for local tv numbers for Blue Jacket games getting beat out by only the traditional markets like Detroit, Buffalo, Boston, etc.
I support NHL expansion in the US, I just see that the Columbus market is far superior than the Atlanta, Phoenix or Miami market for that matter.
OHL
May 25th, 2011
7:08 pm
WPG Jets 2011,
You say that “Atlanta doesn’t give tickets away” but a number of people have referred to Atlanta having BOGO tickets. Now I could be wrong and that can refer to some promotion done by/with/for Zach Bogosian. But in the context that it was said, I think BOGO means Buy One Get One. That meaning buy one get one FREE. Thus, Atlanta was giving many tickets away for free.
While not on these blogs, I have seen many reports in other outlets that Atlanta leads the league in free tickets, followed by #2 Dallas. That would then only be more evidence that Atlanta certianly does give away free tickets.
WPG Jets 2011
May 25th, 2011
7:11 pm
OHL
I agree with a lot of what you say, but I don’t think Atlanta belongs with Phoenix or Miami – Atlanta has had s**t management for 11 years, yet they still get a decent crowd – give them some good owners that at least try to put a competitive product on the ice, and that franchise is fine. Phoenix had 99 points this year and still struggling at the gate and has lost millions of dollars for 15 years. Miami I have not followed. But Atlanta has a lot of passionate fans, Phoenix doesn’t have even knowledgeable fans.
OHL
May 25th, 2011
7:33 pm
WPG Jets 2011,
The reason I point out Atlanta so much is when I look at them compared to Columbus. I had no idea Columbus was so supportive. But it’s a great apples to apples look. Thus, I say find Columbus a new owner, not Atlanta.
Phoenix just got $25 million, so that makes it apples to oranges when looking at Atlanta. To me that’s what it all comes down to. $25 million can help one team break even for a few years while another keeps losing $$.
Now Miami, if you want to make the argument that they should be moved to Winnipeg and not Miami, I won’t stand in your way. The fact that they have owners might, but I won’t.
OHL
May 25th, 2011
7:45 pm
eh, I meant if you want to make the argument that Miami should be moved to Winnipeg and not Atlanta that I won’t stand in your way. The fact that the Panthers have owners might, but I probably won’t if you can make a rational argument.
Det känns helt öppet | NHL och stjärnorna
May 26th, 2011
2:15 am
[...] Atlantas målvakt Chris Mason har inte känt ett 100-procentigt stöd från klubbens ägare >> [...]
WPG Jets 2011
May 26th, 2011
2:17 am
OHL
I would take either team, but I don’t feel too good about taking somebody else’s team if they really didn’t get a chance to succeed like Atlanta. The team I wanted was Phoenix because that is the Winnipeg Jets franchise and I want our original franchise with all the history back, it doesn’t belong in Phoenix anymore – they’ve had 15 years and the people don’t care about that team.
mike w
May 27th, 2011
11:54 am
your city, like a couple others, should have never been granted a franchise in the first place.
WPG Jets 2011
May 27th, 2011
6:12 pm
If its gonna just fail again, then maybe it shouldn’t have.
jon
May 28th, 2011
2:07 pm
hate to say it but atlanta has what? 5 million people living there? all of 12000 of that 5 million show up to games? i think what your mayor is doing is speaking for the majority of atlantans who dont give 2 craps about the thrashers.
Douglas
May 29th, 2011
12:55 am
announcement that will ease the pain? I know Arthur Blank and Atlanta own the rights to an MLS franchise, and that’s the only sport we don’t have (well that and lacrosse). But that’s not going to fill that void (the cross over between Hockey and Soccer fans is very minimal).
Perhaps funding for a new Football stadium. Talk about waste of money, no significant expansion in seating numbers, no sound advantage (a dome is the only way to gain an advantage over opponents, the north has weather, and our humidity will only affect pre-season games), and all studies show that there is no long-term or short-term benefits to state/city-funded sports venues.
Yeah we’ll get over it (obviously the world doesn’t end when a team moves), but its still going to suck and there is virtually no chance we’ll ever get another shot short of buying a franchise and moving them here (if the NHL ever expands to an modified NFL divisional format (4 divisions w/4 teams each, division winners make the playoffs along with 4 wildcard teams) and add 2 teams, they’re gonna be in Canada and Seattle). Once you hit 32 the only other viable option without unbalanced divisions is 36 (3 divisions w/ 6 teams) then 40 (4 divisions w/ 5 teams, this is why the NFL will likely never grow (try naming 8 cities where an NFL franchise would actually be viable, with a maximum of 2 being in California)
tj
May 29th, 2011
11:54 am
who cares if winnipeg is the homicide capital of canada? rich athletes wont be exposed to that. and besides its canada, where there is 10 times less crime so being the worst isnt as bad. im sad atlanta isnt given a proper owner/chance…but i do think the nhl should not be in glendale and fort lauderdale.