Update: Thrashers sale not done, still details
After a full day of reporting, there is little new on the sale and relocation of the Thrashers to Winnipeg.
According to multiple sources, the deal between the Atlanta Spirit and True North Sports and Entertainment has not been completed. There are still details to work out. I have also been told by multiple sources that it is “unlikely” a deal will be agreed upon in time for an announcement Thursday.
Of the minor details that still need to be worked out, the sale price is not one of them. The terms remain $170 million with the Atlanta Spirit getting $110 million and the NHL getting $60 million as a relocation fee.
Once the final details are finalized, all that really needs to be done is the official announcement that an agreement of sale has been reached.
I will provide updates if there are any new developments.
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261 comments Add your comment
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
8:52 pm
Yeah, that’s it, m dad who died and is buried in Malden Mass. is one of the ASG owners. Douche bag.
Old Time
May 25th, 2011
8:54 pm
@ Getthepuckouttahere, You do know that players cost is the number 1 expense of any pro sports team (that is why the NFL is locked out and the NBA soon will be). Once again I know facts don’t matter to most people but the payroll gap is $24,814,590. What gives is your dad one of the A$G owners.
why not
May 25th, 2011
9:04 pm
I know this would never happen but…what if the two towns shared the team. Split the home games in half and you would sell out every game in both cities. The NHL could spread it’s brand and be a trail blazer in professional sports. Would having two cities share a team be that crazy of an idea? Two tv contracts, two cites worth of merchandise to sell, and double everything but the gate. Heck you would actually have a hard ticket to buy in both towns and could charge a ransom. Something…anything…this town will never see professional hockey again and it sucks. Go to heck ASG!!!
soonahockeywidow
May 25th, 2011
9:05 pm
To frustated: As a Winnipegger I am wondering that too..so are others…????
Reality rumour rumour reality…blurry blurry blurry
Wolfman Chris
May 25th, 2011
9:08 pm
Bottom line, the loss of the Thrashers to Winnipeg means the NHL is the biggest loser. MLB bent over backwards to keep the Expos in Montreal, yet the they still wound up in Washington. Does that make Montreal a bad sports town? Of course not, just not an MLB town. Atlanta is a great sports town as well as a great city to live and work, just maybe not a good NHL town. Goodbye and good riddence, maybe when the Calgary Flames go belly up Turner could pick them up at yard sale prices…
Old Time
May 25th, 2011
9:08 pm
Maybe I am Douche bag, but you come on this board and spew a bunch of junk with facts you can’t back up and defend A$G like you are one of the owners and or got family involved. There are a lot of people, and I know some, that have spent a lot of time and money one this club (the Thrashers) and they are getting hosed.
OHL
May 25th, 2011
9:09 pm
Sir Hat Trick,
When you ask “When was Time Warner, or AOL Time Warner, ever an “Atlanta-based” Fortune 500 company?” I refer you to Turner Broadcasting, the major cog of TW which even I know is based in Atlanta having seen Ted & Jane at the Braves games.
Sage of Bluesland,
When you claim “OHL believes that attendance figures–alone–are enough to draw a sweeping conclusion. There are many factors and variables, both qualitative and quantitative, to be considered…and to compare Columbus to Atlanta on one factor alone is statistically haphazard and completely indefensible.”
How many times have I referred to Nielsen ratings on this blog? Here, look at this chart and tell me how SportsSouth does with the Thrashers and compare it to Fox Sports Ohio with the Blue Jackets – http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2009/01/20090119/This-Weeks-News/Nhls-Attendance-TV-Ratings-Both-Showing-Increases.aspx
ThrasherFan
May 25th, 2011
9:14 pm
I hate the TV ratings issue as the Thrash have never had all of their games televised, yet alone advertised. I watched every game for every season I could and got pumped when they would be on ESPN. We always seemed to save our best for those games. However, at least 20 games were never televised.
No pregame – no advertising – sometimes bumped for something that was in progress. It’s been a joke…
Billsen
May 25th, 2011
9:15 pm
OHL = JK Sockey.
Not saying they are the same guy, but they deserve equal respect – which is to say NONE at all.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
9:20 pm
SB Nation…Red it and Weep!!!
Atlanta Thrashers Sale Complete As Final Obstacles Are Overcome, Report Says
May
25
4:16p
by Travis Hughes
At last, the Atlanta Thrashers sale is complete. That’s according to a report from Ken Campbell of The Hockey News, who says that the only step left is an official announcement that the team has been sold and will be relocated the Winnipeg.
The hold up had been caused by a fight between the NHL and Atlanta Spirit, the current owner of the Thrashers. Campbell reported last week that Gary Bettman and the league wanted the full $60 million relocation fee, as well as a chunk of the $110 million sale price, at the expense of Atlanta Spirit.
According to Campbell, that’s been resolved, and Bettman hasn’t won.
In fact, one source close to the situation said the final obstacle holding up the sale – how the $170 million purchase price would be split between the NHL and Atlanta Spirit – has finally been overcome.
And it appears to have favored the Atlanta Spirit and owner Bruce Levenson, who will reportedly receive $20 million of the $60 million relocation fee that is included in the purchase price.
Campbell also reports that there’s a bit of in-fighting at the NHL on when to make the announcement about the team moving to the ‘Peg. Some want it to come between the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals, while others believe it should come after the Finals and before the Draft, as not to take away from the NHL’s championship round.
Whenever the announcement is made, it seems like everything’s wrapped up now.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
9:20 pm
READ IT AND WEEP!
Billsen
May 25th, 2011
9:20 pm
I also wonder this – if the south is so bad for hockey, why is Tampa Bay still playing?
Sir Hat Trick
May 25th, 2011
9:21 pm
OHL,
Since you tend to specialize in splitting hairs, here is a counter-argument using your own logic. The team never was locally owned. True, it fell under the Turner umbrella, but the ultimate owner of title was Time Warner. And then AOL. Neither of which were “Atlanta-based”.
Thanks for taking the bait, Frenchie.
Sage of Bluesland
May 25th, 2011
9:22 pm
That’s but one…one…of a quantifiable element. Now, I look forward to how you quantify the qualitative factors involved regarding:
1. The cities themselves;
2. The demographics;
3. The ownership situations;
4. The opportunity costs of alternative options;
Etc.
Looking forward to more of your “analysis”. Until a respectable equation is presented which even begins to consider all of the complex factors involved, I will consider it a statistically invalid and, thus, unsupported, conclusion.
(That means “ignorant”, in case you’re wondering)
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
9:22 pm
EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES!!!!
Billsen
May 25th, 2011
9:24 pm
@Getthepuckouttahere – I read that same news in the Toronto Globe and Mail last week. Funny, the Thrashers are still in Atlanta. Why don’t you go and do your beer-chugging jig on Portage and Main?
(Psst – You might could do with a few other intersections up there – sources tell me that’s all ya got.)
OHL
May 25th, 2011
9:25 pm
goose,
Thanks for the reply. But to make that formula work (18545 capacity, 17206 average, 38 sellouts) that would mean the 3 non sellout games would only have 250 at each game. We both know that’s just not true.
So it’s got to be something in between. To have an average of say 15,500 for your non-sellout games (in order to pull the average down to 17,206) you would’ve only had 23 sellouts. I have to think you couldn’t have much less than 15,500 average given the number of season tickets you were required to have the first year and just normal walk-ups on any given night.
But still, only 23 sellouts then your first year? At most you could play with the numbers and get it up to 30 sellouts max given the numbers we already have. If you did have 30 sellouts that would mean your non-sellouts would be 11 games of 13,550. There’s no way you can have a lower non-sellout average lower than that.
So definitely 30 sellouts or less for your first year for a 41 home game season. That’s not good, I’m sorry.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
9:26 pm
Good comeback Billsen. Another who I’d have a psychological battle with, but you come to the table so unarmed it’s just not fair. BOO HOO…Thrashers go to the Peg!!!
Old Time
May 25th, 2011
9:26 pm
Hey Getthepuckouttahere now who is the Douche bag!
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
9:26 pm
Your mother, that’s who!!
bwahahahaha
OHL
May 25th, 2011
9:29 pm
Sage of Bluesland,
Atlanta – 5.3 million people
Columbus – 1.8 million people
Do you really want to bring demographics into this argument why you didn’t perform as well as Columbus?
Ownership – you were owned by TBS, local giant that won the World Series with the Braves. During that time TBS owned the team you were bottoms in the league in attendance while Columbus was in the top 12.
Do you really want to continue this analysis?
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
9:30 pm
11 Alive NEWS http://www.11alive.com/news/article/192249/3/Hockey-News-Thrashers-deal-done-team-says-its-not
Who is the Douche bag now? And I don’t care what the team says, they just don’t want to announce the inevitable.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
9:32 pm
If you’re ASG why would you WANT to announce the sale, you’ve all said they’re the bad guy. They’ll let the league announce it. Think about it.
Old Time
May 25th, 2011
9:32 pm
Hey, Getthepuckouttahere my mother died less than two years ago so by your logic and mine you are a real Douche bag!
OHL = EOB
May 25th, 2011
9:32 pm
same turd, new initials
OHL
May 25th, 2011
9:33 pm
Sir Hat Trick,
If TBS or TNT are not “Atlanta-based” then why are all your basketball studios in Atlanta? Doesn’t Barkley have to live there for a few months a year? Keep calling me Frenchie too, that’s hilarious.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
9:34 pm
No…now that I think about it, YOU’RE THE DOUCHE BAG just for opening the door about MY DAD. Typical Atlantan…pass the buck, pass the buck, it’s the other guys fault. IDIOT!
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
9:42 pm
No, I was right…you’re a douche bag. And I have facts you’re completely blind too…this is not a hockey town, the Thrashers are leaving, and none of you are bright enough to see the writing on the wall. Or are you going to tell me that there will be a local buyer, the team isn’t moving to Winnipeg and I’ll also grow hair on my palms?
Old Time
May 25th, 2011
9:43 pm
Hey Getthepuckouttahere,
So, you the d**kless wonder who comes on a Atlanta Thrashers message board and start saying crap about stuff you had no facts to back up and then YOU brought up your dead Dad. Then when I call you out for being a Douche Bag for doing the same thing with the mom comment, you call me am idiot. I might be an idiot, but your still a Douche Bag!
glovesave29
May 25th, 2011
9:45 pm
Hillman – y’know, the same thing crossed my mind this afternoon. If only Hosea were alive today…he’d be out raising cain!
Sitting here with my two little daughters watching the Idol finale. Lil Jon came out – and I was hoping against hope to see our logo, or some sorta shout-out to save the Thrashers.
Sage of Bluesland
May 25th, 2011
9:46 pm
This “TBS ownership equals great ownership” argument is laughably silly. It is amateurishly presented as a simplistic fait-accompli, but is actually steeped in utter ignorance.
Please provide an in-depth analysis of the expenditures and infrastructure provided for each of the sporting interests.
That’s just a start.
I have more variables for you before you can even begin to present a comprehensive case that the people of Atlanta failed the franchise.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
9:50 pm
That’s it…Lil John will be the local Saviour! Boy you folks are digging deep into the bottom of the barrel. It’s entertaining though, I’ll give you that.
Old Time
May 25th, 2011
9:54 pm
Hey, Getthepuckouttahere you win you have proven you are the bigger Douche Bag, so I am going to let you get back to Trolling Thrasher message boards and watching the Soap Opera channel, while I have the third period of Bruins @ Lighting to watch.
ATLThrasher
May 25th, 2011
9:56 pm
Does the Peg have a lot of Sunshine Girls like Krista Erickson of Sun News Network, preferably single, to help out all the Thrashers players that are going to get divorced when they get moved to Winter-Peg?
Interesting trivia tidbit from the Flames move to Calgary is that the divorce rate amongst the player went up dramatically after they were move from the ATL to CowTown.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
9:58 pm
I didn’t win, I just proved you are a docuhe bag, and you won’t admit and you fail to accept the fact this team is leaving. Btw, it’s intermission in the game, I’m watching it. unlike you I can do two things at the same time. Nice chatting with you though.
Old Time
May 25th, 2011
9:59 pm
Never said the team wasn’t leaving, it going to happen, still doesn’t change the fact that A$G is a lying bunch of A-holes, that you don’t know s**t and you are a multi-tasking douchebag troll.
OHL
May 25th, 2011
10:00 pm
Sage of Bluesland,
So TBS can win with the Braves but they were bottoms in the league with the Thrashers, and again it’s not the fans fault. Why would I have to “provide an in-depth analysis of the expenditures and infrastructure provided for each of the sporting interests”? Can you say why they were bad owners? Stop blaming everyone else. Stop making all these arguments. The more analysis you make me do the facts I come up with why it was the FANS that failed.
Before tonight I had no idea that you sold out so few games your first season. But someone made some claims, I looked at the facts, and now after running the numbers I can conclude that you couldn’t have sold out more than 30 games for your first 41 home game season in the league. How is that the owner’s fault? How is that management’s fault? Why do you need someone to show you TBS’s financials to see that you guys didn’t show up to the games your very first year in the league?
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
10:05 pm
Funny, that’s not what your sister is telling me.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
10:06 pm
Ooo, you think of that all by yourself? You’re really quick for a redneck.
TJ
May 25th, 2011
10:06 pm
Thrashers franchise leaves town, pro hockey is dead to me. ASG should be run out of town.
Old Time
May 25th, 2011
10:07 pm
Well if I had a sister, I think that is more like you, your dog and a jar of peanut butter, douchebag troll
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
10:12 pm
2 franchises come to town, 2 franchises leave town…this isnt’ a hockey town it’s a death wish for a franchise…a fate worse than death.
Billy Bob
May 25th, 2011
10:13 pm
Peg deal not done yet. Bettman still wants thrashers in Atlanta. 11th hour Atlanta group starting to get together. May meet with Bettman soon.
Thrashers27
May 25th, 2011
10:18 pm
Sir Hat Trick,
The Thrashers were owned initially by Turner Broadcasting, which was locally owned before the AOL merger. Then it was AOL/Time Warner. So, actually, once upon a time the team was locally owned. TNT and TBS are HQd in Atlanta.
Wolfman Chris
May 25th, 2011
10:18 pm
NHL=Not Here Long!
Wolfman Chris
May 25th, 2011
10:22 pm
The NHL will never be more than a cable channel league outdrawn by WWE wrestling…
ThrasherFan
May 25th, 2011
10:25 pm
These trolls are seriously annoying. I bet they are 13 and don’t even remember the Jets.
Moving on now – have to watch a southern team who doesn’t belong in the NHL destroy Boston.
thrasherdawg
May 25th, 2011
10:25 pm
Even though a deal gets done doesn’t mean the team is moving.
A buyer…which I hear is on the horizen…can still come in after the fact and keep the team in Atlanta. NHL says so. Take a guess to who it is.
Furthermore, if the A. Carter group is inclined, they could file a suit against the ASG & the NHL and get an “injuction” which could put this situation in absolute turmoil.
Bettman was only allowing this whole process to happen to cover his a*# …to get the 60 million, now it’s down to 40 million (that ASG is something). Maybe before it’s over, the NHL will get nothing…how classic. Bettman, a word of advice, never make deals with the devil.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
10:29 pm
That’s the best you morons have…Boston gets destroyed? I’ll do you one better – Next season Boston has a hockey team, sellout crowds and you won’t have either!! Put that in your pipe and smoke it Billy Ray Jim Bob! Btw…there’s 7 games in a series, but how would you know that, you’ got swept in your only playoff appearance by the frickin Rangers! Talk to me again when you’ve got better than Boston getting destroyed while your team is in the process of packing and leaving…for the SECOND TIME>>>> Losers.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 25th, 2011
10:33 pm
oh, and it’s 5-4…DESTROYED? You must have gone to Ga. Public Schools.