Anson Carter withdrew interest in Spirit
The following is a statement released by Anson Carter about media reports that circulated Wednesday of his interest in buying the Thrashers.
“ANSON CARTER AND ATLANTA SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WITHDREW INTEREST IN ACQUIRING THE ATLANTA SPIRIT GROUP ASSETS IN EARLY 2011
ATLANTA – (May 26, 2011) – Anson Carter, Principal of Atlanta Sports and Entertainment (ASE), withdrew interest in acquiring the assets of the Atlanta Spirit Group in early 2011. ASE was formed in 2008 with the intent of building a multi-media sports and entertainment company based in Atlanta, with the goal of acquiring the Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena as the centerpiece of the company. Preliminary discussions were held in early 2010 with the Raine Group, representatives for the Atlanta Spirit Group and as a result ASE decided not to proceed. However, ASE is now focusing their interest on other markets.”
As you can see, Mr. Carter withdrew his interest well before the Atlanta Spirit publicly stated it’s ’sense of urgency’ to find a buyer/investor for the Thrashers in February. The AJC investigated Mr. Carter as a potential investor/buyer months ago. It should also be reiterated that talks between Mr. Carter and the Atlanta Spirit never moved past the preliminary stage. According to several people familiar situation, Mr. Carter’s interest never moved past the level of his group supplying it’s financial ability to complete such a purchase.
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149 comments Add your comment
simon hawkley
May 26th, 2011
10:14 pm
keep ‘em coming. Enjoy the AHL.
simon hawkley
May 26th, 2011
10:18 pm
And just when will your “rally” be? We had a jubilant “rally” last week on media speculation. 300 people came.
Figures someone would resort to making fun of my handle because no real arguments hold any validity.
Keep Hockey in Atlanta
May 26th, 2011
10:20 pm
http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-thrashers/2011/5/26/2192516/thrashers-local-investor-lanford-thrashers-buy-sell
Thrashers27
May 26th, 2011
10:21 pm
Not making fun of your handle, just calling you a douchebag. Douchebag. Most Canadians are great people, you…are a douchebag. Douchebag.
Take off ya’ hoser!
Les Habitants
May 26th, 2011
10:24 pm
RDS is the largest all-sports TV channel in French language outside of Europe. It is also one important NHL broadcaster. If you read French, see the link below. It basically says that there is no doubt about Winnipeg getting a team and Thrashers moving. The issue is that Thrashers owners do not really like that $60M will go to the NHL.
http://legrandclub.rds.ca/profils/608456/posts/114346/public
simon hawkley
May 26th, 2011
10:38 pm
Ya… I am a douche bag. I smoked a joint (we can do that here, freely) and realized my douchebaggery. Sucks you guys are losing your team. I have empathy. At least you guys have awesome improv! I hear Dads Garage is quite funny.
Thrashers27
May 26th, 2011
10:41 pm
I know you’re waiting for a reply, you douchebag, so just to put your mind at ease…I’m done with you, douchebag. You can call your mom in to kiss you goodnight and scold you for smoking weed. Get a job, Douchebag!
simon hawkley
May 26th, 2011
10:49 pm
Scolded for smoking weed? That’s a foreign thought.
Thrashers27
May 26th, 2011
10:51 pm
…wait, I’m not quite done with you afterall…
For you to take any kind of pleasure in the fact that folks (many of them fellow Canadians, who appreciate a piece of home in Atlanta.) are about to lose something very near and dear to them, is borderline psychopathetic. Why would you choose to laugh at someone’s loss?.
Hockey is a beautiful thing no matter where it is played.
Reality has just set in and you realize that…yep, you really are a douchebag.
Take off ya’ hoser!
Long live The Thrashers
G52PIM228
May 26th, 2011
10:54 pm
Still no NHL in loserpeg..
SHOCKING!!
G52PIM228
May 26th, 2011
10:55 pm
http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2010/12/8/1536097/nhl-relocation-winnipeg-quebec-city
G52PIM228
May 26th, 2011
10:56 pm
I’m pretty sure Sarah Palin has a better chance of being president than loserpeg has of getting an NHL team..
G52PlM228
May 26th, 2011
11:47 pm
I support Sarah Palin in AZ.
Red Dawg
May 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
WTF?? Are you guys on glue? I’ve seen everybody including the Mayor, the city of Winnipeg, the country of Canada, The NHL, Mason, ASG and even the Governor blamed for this mess. Now it’s Chris Vivlamore next on the hit list? Who’s next? Obama?
Give it up, guys.
G52PlM228
May 26th, 2011
11:53 pm
George Bush deserves some blame. Seriously, C-Viv is NEVER critical of ASG. If I read his material, I would think they (ASG) was doing an adequate to good job and have been equally good to the Thrashers fans.
Red Dawg
May 27th, 2011
12:07 am
1. If you don’t like AJC/Vivlamore, it’s a free market – go somewhere else.
2. I’ve read stuff from Chris Vivlamore that is critical of ASG
3. He moderates this blog where freedom to speak openly and criticize ASG looks to be alive and well.
G52PIM228
May 27th, 2011
12:10 am
“Thrashers President Don Waddell said Wednesday that the deal with True North Sports & Entertainment is “still a work in progress” and refuted The Hockey News report.”
Acer
May 27th, 2011
1:07 am
Thanks Donny “Zhitnik is in our future plans” Waddell. I guess that the deal is close to be being finished.
Acer
May 27th, 2011
1:18 am
Keep Hockey in Atlanta? No problemo: http://www.gwinnettgladiators.com/site/default.asp
ATLThrasher
May 27th, 2011
6:38 am
http://m.nbcsports.com/s/4177/phtDetails?itemUriVal=feca60aabc2e19c856a2bfab5b4c45d2%2F1351131144111015106552141869&view=hdl&itemTitle=Thrashers-to-Winnipeg%20and%20the%20NHL’s%20relocation%20by-laws
NHL will probably violate their own bylaws with the relocation.
The stats I like to point out are:
Georgia unemployment rate: 9.9%
Atlanta 2011 Home Price Appreciation Forecast: -5.5%
Thrashers average attendance down only 1% from last season.
Bad ownership in such an economic climate is obviously contributing to Thrashers minuscule local 0.23 TV rating.
Given the resiliency of Thrasher attendance under the perfect storm of economic calamity and bad ownership gives hope that a new Hockey franchise could work here when economic times are better.
NHL had better make sure they have a plan to keep a Winnipeg franchise going under 1990s Canadian economic conditions with 63 cents Cdn. dollar just in case it happens again.
Duke
May 27th, 2011
7:00 am
One Last Road Trip To Minnesota for Draft!! Voice Your Opinion In Front Of Gary Bettman And All The NHL!!!! You Know Winnipeg Fans Will Be There! Gaaaarrrrrrryyyyyyy….
jason
May 27th, 2011
7:27 am
Anson has showed a sign of having a brain left..Good show to withdraw instrest. Very smart of you…Atlanta can not have a hockey team…People there would rather watch a car turn left for 3 straight hours before a hockey game…Now that is complete stupidity! Bye bye hockey from Atlanta…AGAIN!!!!! LMFAO
jason
May 27th, 2011
7:31 am
Ahhhh ATLthrasher guy…What attendence? The 1000 people that go to a game..Or the 12 people that showed up for a rally? And our dollar is now abouve yours, has been for awhile. 5.5 million people in that city and you can not keep a team…..YIKES!!! And they are not in violation of any of there own bylaws with a relocation..If that is the case, then a team MUST go back to winnepeg and quebec city! And thrashers27…You need some mental help!!!
ppp
May 27th, 2011
9:00 am
If the Thrashers leave town – how will anyone know?
dd
May 27th, 2011
10:03 am
THE THRASHERS OWNERS DO NOT DO NOT WANT TO KEEP THE TEAM HERE all interested buyers don’t waste your time. The OWNERS are money hungry men and they are toooooo busy in lawsuits with one another. There day will come when they will be begging for a chance to do good but time is running out for them (IN GOD WE TRUST). I hope their money runs out and they need to find a job and maybe the Braves or Falcons can hire them to clean toilets, because that is all ATLANTA cares about is there baseball and football. ATLANTA is awful they can’t keep sports for nothing first tennis was taken than the second nascar race now hockey. Oh yes lets get some soccer at phillips. My last time at Phillips was for Bon Jovi and that will be my last time giving the owners my money, I will not go to any events at Phillips, Falcons or the braves can’t wait for the economy to get better so I can leave ATL and go to a real city who cares for there people.
G52PIM228
May 27th, 2011
11:22 am
How could you losers let a team go to Loserpeg?
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 27th, 2011
11:39 am
It’s over! ASG is basically evicting this money losing franchise from Philips Arena. I think the bigger question now becomes how much money do True North lose in the tiny MTS Centre and very poor Winnipeg in their first season there. I think True the losses in 2011-2012 will be around $15 Million in Canuck money.
Winnipeg Rocks
May 27th, 2011
12:12 pm
That’s right… I guess we’ll how it goes. We’ll do okay with our significantly lower crime rate, stronger economy, healthier population (by ANY index of population health). Now that all this is over, Poverty, it is time for you to try to find some work so you can have some hope of reclaiming your home from the bank. Until then, go brush your tooth before going out to bet on that dog fight. Deliverance was a documentary, banjo picker
Les Habitants
May 27th, 2011
12:36 pm
Winnipeg = Poverty,
By $15 million in Canadian money, you mean around USD 27 million, right? With the way the rate is slipping, it might be the value in 2012.
Nathan
May 27th, 2011
12:52 pm
@ C -Viv,
If some of our comments out of frustration have gotten under your skin or been less than professional (mine especially) I will apologize. That being said, it certainly does not change my opinion of what I have written because the Anson Carter story while it may not been anything but preliminary talks, I certainly think that you are in the “know” enough to realize that this has been a long time coming (i.e. the ASG pulling out) and could have created a bit of buzz that could have forced the ASG to be a little more forthcoming.
Also, have you considered attempting to get some sources on the inside to truly figure out what is going on with the ASG’s books? I don’t mean that comment as an attack but a real legit question. I realize that is all confidential but I would hope that there is maybe someone with the organization willing to be an anonymous source for you that could help shed some light on ASG’s accounting methods. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated.
@ Everyone
Lets keep it above-board here folks, its not Winnipeg’s fault that we are losing this team it falls squarely on the shoulders of ASG and Bettman.
Krust
May 27th, 2011
12:53 pm
Hey Winnipeg Rocks,
Are you going to pony up $75.00 a seat to sit in the lower bowl of the MTS Centre for 42 regular season games and 3 games that don’t matter. If you can add that is $3,375.00. I have for 11 seasons for a pair of tickets. That total would be $74,250.00. So Mr. Hockey are you ready to spend your money. Because I can bet that True North is in this to make money. And just remember what Mr. Bettman said Wednesday on Tampa Radio There is no deal yet and there may never be. All thrashers fans and Canada want to rain on Gary Bettman as worm and he may be, but he holds the last say so. I have heard all the rumors the deal was done months ago. Then whats the hold up get it over with. I smell a rat.
Winnipeg Rocks
May 27th, 2011
1:39 pm
I’ll see your $75.00 ticket and raise you. My family’s seats will be a little more than $75.00. I’ve got it covered – thanks for your financial advice but I’m doing alright.
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 27th, 2011
1:42 pm
The big hockey fans from Canada who are posting here are the ones that you can bet never purchase a ticket. Have you noticed that most of these Canadians feel some sort of need to compare non-NHL related stuff like economy, crime etc…etc… I guess when you are raised and live in Canada the envy of not being born an American is something that just eats away at you every day. As Rick Moranis once said on David Letterman ” Being born a Canadian living next to the United States is like being brought up in a shack”.
Winnipeg Rocks
May 27th, 2011
2:09 pm
Have you noticed that Winnipeg = Poverty doesn’t understand the inherent hypocrisy as he has an issue with people commenting on the economy while he uses his moniker? Yes, we are all in mourning that we can’t be American.
When Canadians travel, we do as Canadians. While in Europe and Asia, I met countless Americans who wore the maple leaf so people would think they were Canadian. I guess they are not proudly American enough to travel as Americans. Look around the world to see how well loved you are.
Krust
May 27th, 2011
3:01 pm
Winnipeg Rocks,
Your so European
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 27th, 2011
3:58 pm
“Look around the world to see how well loved you are” Another oldie but goodie from terribly insecure Canadians. United States of America is the center of the planet while Canada is an unknown place that few around the world care to visit and even fewer wish to live there. I think all U.S. Universities and Colleges should ban Canadians from attending, I wonder how this would be received in Canuck land. I’d bet Canadian women would be crossing the border to have their kids born in U.S. hospitals, so in the future they could still be able attend the greatest higher education system in the world.
Winnipeg Rocks
May 27th, 2011
3:58 pm
Já ég er. Oui, je suis. Ja, ik ben. Sì, sono. Ναι, είμαι
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 27th, 2011
4:04 pm
@ Winnipeg Rocks But there are only 30 million Canuckleheads compared to 300 million strong and brave Americans, maybe the federal government in Ottawa needs to take out ads in all the world’s newspapers to get those numbers up. Forget about the evil U.S and come and immigrate to Canada and yes it do have weather that most of you won’t like but the fishing is good.
Winnipeg Rocks
May 27th, 2011
4:15 pm
I always find buying another nearly bankrupt US company helps soothe my insecurities.
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 27th, 2011
4:19 pm
Following the leader again Eh? Lose money in U.S. then lose money in Canada. Canadians are only followers in the world and never leaders.
Winnipeg Rocks
May 27th, 2011
4:52 pm
Follow the leader? Good God, man, we’re buying your country.
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 27th, 2011
4:53 pm
I’ll bet that when the Canadian Prime Minister attends world leader events. he’s known mostly as “whose that guy” and “why is he wearing a name tag upside down” and if he happens to forget that name tag he’ll be asked to fill up the water glasses again.
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 27th, 2011
4:58 pm
“We’re buying your country” Ever heard of buyer beware!!! Chinese are also buying up stuff in America does that mean that China and Canada are being set up for a future economic fall? Maybe a C.I.A. plan to get rid of deep woven world socialism.
G52PIM228
May 27th, 2011
5:49 pm
Canada = America’s little side kick..
illputitoncspan
May 27th, 2011
11:39 pm
Are you kidding me?!!! Anson Carter doesn’t have the money to buy an NHL team. Heck, he doesn’t have the money to buy an AHL team. Hey Anson, do us a favor and become Boston Sports and Entertainment. People in Boston know who you are. People here in the South don’t and could care less. Let’s see, we are land locked, we have terrible traffic and tons of violent crime… yeah, that move makes sense. Keep following the crowds and buying into the hype Anson. It’s like the scene out of Animal House, where at the end of the movie the band keeps walking into the wall at the end of the alley. Yep, that’s Atlanta now. I’m sorry, I mean the ATL! ATL, ATL, ATL, ATL, ATL…
illputitoncspan
May 27th, 2011
11:43 pm
To the loser posting as “Winnipeg=Poverty”… Dude are you kidding me?… You are taking shots at Winnipeg and Canada regarding education. Have you seen the crappy education the Atlanta Public Schools put out and the zeroes who run the schools… Not to mention DeKalb and Clayton and…
Winnipeg Rocks
May 28th, 2011
2:11 am
This Winnipeg = Poverty guy is not very bright. Keeps setting himself up and it’s not even a fair fight but if he insists, here we go:
1. While blogging from his economically depressed country, with double digit unemployment and record levels of foreclosed homes and personal bankruptcy, he takes shots at another country’s “poverty”.
2. He comments on the healthcare system of another country while every major indicator of population health in his country (incl infant mortality rates, life expectancy) lags behind Canada and the rest of the developed world.
3. While living in a country with an embarrassingly high illiteracy rate and educational indicators that don’t compare well with the developed world, he starts a commentary on another country’s education system.
4. The best one of them all though is the commentary on another country’s head of state. This from a man whose country elected George W Bush for not one, but TWO terms.
What’s next on your list of insults? That Canada has a problem with gun crime?
Ferns
May 28th, 2011
9:14 am
Enter your comments here
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 28th, 2011
12:07 pm
Here’s a list of world recognized great leaders from the country of Canada: