Thrashers deal may continue into next week
Negotiations on a sale agreement between the Atlanta Spirit and True North Sports and Entertainment that would result in the relocation of the Thrashers to Winnipeg, Manitoba continue to move slowly and now may not be completed until next week.
Two people familiar with the negotiations who asked not to be identified because the sensitivity of the talks told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday progress continues to be made. “All parties are moving slowly,” said one on the people familiar with the situation.
A sales agreement has not been completed with details described as “consent, owner approval, proof of financial information, etc.” still to be worked through.
“There are complex issues that take time to work through,” the AJC was told.
In typical sales involving a professional sports franchise, a Consent Agreement is negotiated between the league and the negotiating parties. It contains language on the relationship between the league and team and the rules for operation.
“I would be shocked if it happened by Memorial Day weekend,” the AJC was told.
One of the details not in question is the sales price and how it will be divided. According to one of the people familiar with the negotiations, the $170 million price tag – with $110 million going to the Atlanta Spirit and $60 million going to the NHL as a relocation fee are and have been firmly in place.
While the final details are still being worked out, members of the Atlanta Spirit organization met this week to discuss the details of an announcement when an agreement is finalized.
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138 comments Add your comment
2mins
May 26th, 2011
11:34 am
So ASG is now meeting to figure out how to break the news, officially.
MJC
May 26th, 2011
11:35 am
Chris, what are your thoughts on the supposed Anson Carter offer?
What about...
May 26th, 2011
11:37 am
What about Anson Carter?
What about...
May 26th, 2011
11:37 am
Jinx.
Relocation News: All Winnipeg NHL related news Day 7 – No end in sight! | Illegal Curve Hockey
May 26th, 2011
11:38 am
[...] Journal Constitution: Talks on Thrashers sale may go into next week. As much as people want/need this done 72 hours ago, we need to understand that there are a [...]
Steve
May 26th, 2011
11:39 am
I can’t for the life of me figure out why the AJC can’t do INVESTIGATIVE reporting on this, the NHL bylaws, why the Mayor can’t at least speak to promote the Thrashers (I agree with not providing taxpayer subsidy), and why the Chamber of Commerce is silent. This makes both the City of Atlanta and the AJC look terrible.
kovy
May 26th, 2011
11:43 am
but for the crying, it is all over now.
Steve
May 26th, 2011
11:43 am
This whole situation with the ASG and NHL, Phoenix and Winnipeg/TNSE – - – something is really wrong here, and it’s obvious to just about everybody. Where are our journalists and investigative reporters from sports radio, TV and the AJC? It’s shameful to be unable and/or unwilling to dig to get to the bottom of all of this before it’s too late.
MJC
May 26th, 2011
11:45 am
http://www.11alive.com/news/article/192249/8/Hockey-News-Thrashers-deal-done-team-moving-to-Winnipeg
glovesave29
May 26th, 2011
11:46 am
Yup Steve – gotta agree. Why do we have to wait? Imagine if Woodward and Bernstein has decided to come forward AFTER Nixon was out of office. If there are devious workings afoot (with ASG / NHL – not TNSE) why not expose it now?
Penske Truck Rental
May 26th, 2011
11:47 am
Let’s
Go,
Thrashers!
pegger 36
May 26th, 2011
11:47 am
Announcement of move to be made tomorrow(Saturday)
I.C. Wiener
May 26th, 2011
11:48 am
Deal could move into next … year?
Mac
May 26th, 2011
11:49 am
Last Friday, you wrote how it was “Down to one group currently negotiating to keep Thrashers in Atlanta”. Are these negotiations still ongoing? Don’t the NHL By-laws favor a buyer that wants to keep the team local?
pegger 36
May 26th, 2011
11:50 am
oops should read day after tommorow
Nathan
May 26th, 2011
11:50 am
I’m not much into conspiracy theories but bottom line is this, Atlanta could care less about the Thrashers and ASG could care less about the city, Thrasher fans for the team itself. Finally, it has been pretty clear since day 1 that C. ViV. also would like to see the franchise move so he can cover something more than the red-headed stepchild of the city.
The real culprit in all of this? Ted Turner and TIme Warner. Why? Time Warner breached the exclusivity negotiation agreement with David McDavid so the franchises could be sold to fledling millionaires that includes who? Rutherford Seydel, hey btw guess who’s son-in-law that is? Yep, Ted Turners. BTW as an accountant and an attorney (and former collegiate hockey player), I can tell you with certainty that all of the Hawks losses if any have also been placed with the Thrashers. More over if ASG actually opened their books you’d see a as good a book cooking BBQ since Enron. Thrashers you never had a chance, I wish it weren’t so…..
schmeckdawg
May 26th, 2011
11:51 am
Shsssssssh. Can y’all hear that? It’s the fat lady singing!!!!!!
pegger 36
May 26th, 2011
11:53 am
announcement of move to be made day after tomorrow (saturday)
VivlaPeg
May 26th, 2011
11:54 am
So the ASG can’t agree on how to blame fans for not supporting their indifferent penny pinching strategy of how NOT to run a pro hockey team they never wanted. That should be a fun announcement. Pleas let DW be on tv and tell us about his 5 year plan again as well and how hard he tried to find a local owner! Bring Bettman to the party, he’s always good for telling lies too!!
Disgusted 10-Year Thrashers Season Ticket Holder
May 26th, 2011
11:54 am
Don’t let the US-Canadian Border hit you in the @$$ on the way to Winnipeg, Thrashers.
Eat Excrement in the Fire Pits in the Kingdom of the Horned One with Jesse Jackson for All Eternity, Levenson, Gearon and Atlanta Spirit Group!
I.C. Wiener
May 26th, 2011
11:54 am
Mmmm, BBQ.
Doh!
Steve
May 26th, 2011
11:54 am
What also doesn’t make sense is why the NHL wouldn’t sell the Phoenix team to TNSE ($25 million payment from Glendale taxpayers likely not enough to offset their losses), get the $60M relocation fee, buy time for ASG to find a local buyer for a market far bigger than Phoenix.
Buy Chris V a one way ticket to Winnipeg
May 26th, 2011
11:56 am
Hey Chris.. don’t you get tired of being the mouthpiece for ASG ?
.
May 26th, 2011
11:57 am
“The group led by Carter made a preliminary, non-binding offered to buy the Atlanta Thrashers, The Atlanta Hawks and the rights to Philips Arena from Atlanta Spirit. The group intended to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta and had serious financial backing, Pearl’s source said.”
http://www.11alive.com/news/article/192249/8/Hockey-News-Thrashers-deal-done-team-moving-to-Winnipeg
pegger 36
May 26th, 2011
11:58 am
announcement of move to be made day after tomorrow (saturday)
Nathan
May 26th, 2011
11:58 am
If this is true regarding Anson Carter, then that is just another thorn in the side of Thrasher fans. Honestly, a teams fan base has not been treated like this since Art Model and the Cleveland Browns. Unbelievable….
VivlaPeg
May 26th, 2011
12:00 pm
@Announcement of move to be made tomorrow(Saturday
Canadian media hard at work. According to them Atlanta and Phoenix have both been playing in Canada for 2 years and Kovalchuk was traded to the Leafs.
philbot2020
May 26th, 2011
12:00 pm
ASG has met to plan how to announce the sale and move? Hopefully they will invite all season ticket holders down to Philips to meet with them privately.
I’ll bring the tar, who’s got the feathers?
jb
May 26th, 2011
12:00 pm
does it really effing matter how they make the announcement at this point? let’s decide how to get everyone to the lifeboats in an orderly fashion after the titanic has already smashed into the ocean floor.
Steve
May 26th, 2011
12:00 pm
Best humorous line I’ve read about all this: “Now that Winnipeg’s getting a team, Toronto’s going to want one.”
Kovy's Agent
May 26th, 2011
12:01 pm
As the Lord is my witness I will never darken the door of Philips Arena as long as it’s in the hands of these jack-offs. A pox on all their houses.
MJC
May 26th, 2011
12:02 pm
If this is true about Anson Carter, then a sale to TNSE could possibly violate NHL By-law 36
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rr3LY5pGCWOmZCciRgPDAnz1iDibd0MZQe-c0XQKzXo/edit?hl=en_US#
http://www.11alive.com/news/article/192249/8/Hockey-News-Thrashers-deal-done-team-moving-to-Winnipeg
Nathan
May 26th, 2011
12:04 pm
BTW kudos to C. VIV on his awesome reporting since it was 11 ALIVE that announces this Anson Carter Offer. Had it actually been brought up before it may have at least gotten enough legs to keep Bettman from lying to us as well as ASG that no serious offers have otherwise been made.
Egghead
May 26th, 2011
12:04 pm
The Yotes were Bettman’s most pressing issue since the NHL owned the team and lost 40 million last year and they don’t want to own a team.. They needed to put that to bed first because the Thrashers are owned privately and bettman and the BOG don’t care how much money the Thrashers owners lose. They were looking out for the majority which is the BOG. Throw in a small time clown of a mayor in Gongdale and they rent the team for another year or 2 until Quebec builds an arena and it will be adios Yotes.
Nathan
May 26th, 2011
12:05 pm
Any season ticket holder that is an attorney that wants to file an injunction against the sale on behalf of all season ticket holders? Could at least make a stir? I would but I won’t have standing as a non-season ticket holder. Anyone who wants to I think it could at least be fun.
George
May 26th, 2011
12:05 pm
NHL had two teams up for sale and only one buyer. They put Glendale in the corner getting them cover losses for one more year. That way they can sell Thrashers to TNSE. In the meantime they wait for Quebec to get things ready, and they’ll move Coyotes there.
VivlaPeg
May 26th, 2011
12:05 pm
These sale announcements were imminent weeks ago and again, according to Canada, already happened. Can’t imagine why all of a sudden..it’s taking more time with complex small details still needed to be worked out. And why is the ASG big on an announcement? They’ve cowardly hid all this time, why come out of their cave when it’s finally over? to show us dirty Canadian money in their corrupt pockets or Bettmans lipstick on their faces? We wanted them out of Atlanta, not the team.
Egghead
May 26th, 2011
12:06 pm
Theres nothing dirty about Canadian money or TNSE. They gave the BOG a presentation years back and have waited patiently for a team to come available. Only dirty here are the present owners of the Thrashers
VivlaPeg
May 26th, 2011
12:11 pm
Nathan, Winnipegs own, C-Viv prefers the Winnipeg perspective. Notice the vast majority of articles are about Winnipegs side, not anything local as they only mentioned the Balkan in shooting it down. Kinda strange. No interviews with Glavine and only a micro interview with Lil’ Jon as if anyone belived that anyway. Viv is on Winnipeg radio as we type.
Emi in Montreal...
May 26th, 2011
12:11 pm
what’s all the fuss about… you’re trying to save a team now that the deal is almost complete…Obviously no one in Atlanta wants a team that made no profit… and forget about Carter trying to buy the team “now” …let’s face it, the deal to sell the thrashers is in it’s final stages…. so stop whinning… suck it up and move on without the thrashers…. geez..
schmeckdawg
May 26th, 2011
12:13 pm
VivlaPeg
I’m with you. ESPN reported this last Saturday. Oh the humanity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
schmeckdawg
May 26th, 2011
12:16 pm
Nathan
To me, the real culprit is having a crappy team for 10 out of the 11 years that they have been here!
Tommy
May 26th, 2011
12:17 pm
The endgame to all of this is plainly obvious. . .
1) ASG uses their windfall from the Thrashers sale to make a few big signings for the Hawks. Then, later this fall:
2) It turns out that the much of the Thrashers’ reported losses, due to a ‘bookkeeping error’, actually belonged to the Hawks. Now, with their heavy contract obligations, ASG cannot cover it all, so they announce that they will listen to ‘all offers’ for the Hawks, including those outside the city (although the Phillips lease says they can’t leave, they’ll make up something). After that:
3) Mayor Reed, who couldn’t care less about the Thrashers leaving town, trips over himself running up to the podium to announce a ’save the Hawks’ campaign, which includes some sort of assistance for the Hawks. The General Assembly will reluctantly OK it, because we all know that anyone who doesn’t like basketball is a racist. ESPN said so.
So in the end, we not only lose our hockey team due to ASG, but we’ll end up subsidizing their basketball team as well. Call me naive, but I thought this was all somehow illegal
Mike Vick
May 26th, 2011
12:21 pm
Wow.
You know I treated my dogs way better than that Bruce Levenson treats his paying customers.
Tommy
May 26th, 2011
12:22 pm
Another thing. . this whole sale hinges on the financial loss issue. A lawyer who files on behalf of season ticket holders could end up forcing ASG to open the books. Make them prove their point.
If it turns out the losses are exaggerated, it could at least encourage another buyer to step in, willing to the keep the team in the city.
I.C. Wiener
May 26th, 2011
12:24 pm
ASG will use the proceeds from the Thrashers sale to sign Dwight Howard to a 1-year contract.
G52PlM228
May 26th, 2011
12:25 pm
aUH nO Deal was closed last Tuesday per Toronto newspaper. A very credible writer who checks and double checks his sources. A true journalist. As expected per the same article Bettman made the announcement in Winnipeg on Tuesday.
KS
May 26th, 2011
12:27 pm
Really? You dont know? The Thrashers are gone…have been for a long time. In the Thrashers best season they lost millions and had to dump their stars. Why would anyone want to keep them here, including the NHL?
ATLANTA IS NOT A HOCKEY CITY. Its barely a sports city. It is a royal pain in the ass to get to any of the sports that have weekday games, including the Hawks and Braves. If the Braves fans dont start showing up they could be next. The Hawks are stuck until 2028. Maybe Artur Blank needs to buy them all because he sure as hell knows what he is doing.
Steve
May 26th, 2011
11:39 am
I can’t for the life of me figure out why the AJC can’t do INVESTIGATIVE reporting on this, the NHL bylaws, why the Mayor can’t at least speak to promote the Thrashers (I agree with not providing taxpayer subsidy), and why the Chamber of Commerce is silent. This makes both the City of Atlanta and the AJC look terrible
G52PlM228
May 26th, 2011
12:28 pm
TMZ is more credible than the Canada media. Sources close to the story indicate.
Brett
May 26th, 2011
12:31 pm
anyone ever see “the human centipede”? if that operation in the movie could be performed involving ASG, Bettman, and select AJC staff members, that would be fantastic. Thanks in advance.
Nathan
May 26th, 2011
12:32 pm
Tommy,
I fully agree. Problem is that really only a Season Ticket holder would have standing to do so. I think the filing fee would be about $125.00 or so for the initial complaint and injunction motion. Has to be a passionate hockey lover out there that is an attorney and season ticket holder. BTW registered agent would be the only person that would be need to be served and as an LLC, that means the person would be on the Georgia Corp. website.
Schmeckdawg, I agree, but you cannot convince me otherwise that in 90% of all sports franchises, success is directly linked to solid, stable, competent and willing ownership.
Emi in Montreal, please do not make un-educated comments you know very little about. The ASG since day 1 has been a thorn in the side of Thrashers fans. Please check the attendance rates for the first 5 seasons. A fan base can only do so much. The only reason this is happening is because of ASG, that is all. If you can give me 1 concrete example of an NHL franchise that has been as poorly run as the Thrashers because of ownership and the attendance did not suffer I will be happy to send you a check for $100.00 today.
clark kent
May 26th, 2011
12:32 pm
Still playing a good lapdog CViv?
Nathan
May 26th, 2011
12:39 pm
Seriously, everything comes down to ownership, anyone that doesn’t realize that has their head in the sand. If a place like Minnesota (i.e. North Stars), Colorado (i.e. Rockies, or Hartford can lose a team or any team in Canada for that matter (who BTW would you even have an NHL without America?) then guess what? Anyone can!
Also, anyone know where the Pirates (MLB) have ranked in attendance last couple years? Oh yeah at the bottom, and guess who turned a profit all those years???? Oh yeah, them. Guess what? People lie, cheat, and steal especially millionaires and again it would come as no surprise that ASG does what all people do with Corporations, hide any and all losses they can in the corporation.
Nathan
May 26th, 2011
12:40 pm
BTW how has hockey survived in Carolina, Tampa Bay, San Jose, LA, Anaheim, or Nashville? Oh thats right, they actually win and attempt to put quality products on the ice. Interesting…………I think Bettman should have looked into that before he and the BOG allowed ASG to buy the Thrashers.
schmeckdawg
May 26th, 2011
12:41 pm
Tommy
Regarding your paragraph 3…not to hard to figure that one out!
Barry
May 26th, 2011
12:44 pm
Hey any chance us fans could get some of this “relocation fee” money for paying for a product not fully supported and properly invested in by the owners that stole our money for the last 11 seasons?
Keep Hockey in Atlanta
May 26th, 2011
12:50 pm
Canadian media may start to look less credible than one Harold Camping…………
consumed
May 26th, 2011
12:54 pm
Re: “members of the Atlanta Spirit organization have met this week to discuss how such an announcement will be made when the agreement is finalized.” Since ain’t none of them talking, me thinks they should just ask Mayor Reed to make an impromptu statement . . . seemed to work earlier this week.
2mins
May 26th, 2011
12:55 pm
Barry…. NOPE!
You pays your money, and you takes your chances. That’s sports.
OHL
May 26th, 2011
12:57 pm
Steve,
This doesn’t end with the relocation of the Thrashers. So it’s not an Atlanta vs. Phoenix scenario as you seem to be putting it in your posts above (like deciding which of the two, why not take the $25 million AND $60 million from Phoenix). The fact is that NBC and Comcast just handed over billions for US TV rights. So I don’t think Bettman is going to be so quick to promote the southern expansion anymore. I don’t have proof of this but the reason I follow this story so much is because I think a few franchises are on the move in the next 5 years. They won’t fall like dominoes but now that Bettman has his US TV deal for billions, he doesn’t need to prop up some places and he is going to pocket that $25 million, but once that deal is up, look for Phoenix to be on the move as well. All Phoenix is doing is buying a couple years. I’m just watching closely to see not if a franchise is moving, but how many.
Keep Hockey in Atlanta
May 26th, 2011
1:01 pm
Anyway to possibly derail this? Start nasty rumors on Twitter about TNSE and blame it on the AS LLC or vice-versa? Anyone on the inside willing to accidentally shred some documents?
Sammy
May 26th, 2011
1:05 pm
Bye Bye Birdie!
cable guy
May 26th, 2011
1:05 pm
The ASG have screwed up everything they touch, maybe TNSE grows frustrated with their ongoing stupidity and they screw up this deal too.
George
May 26th, 2011
1:07 pm
@OHL
Bettman can’t pocket that $25 million, Coyotes are putting the NHL in a hole. NHL owns the coyotes, that $25 mil is to cover losses. The coyotes lost some $36 mil last year. Glendale covered the first $25 mil, the league is on the hook for the rest.
Nile Uno
May 26th, 2011
1:09 pm
I think that Anson Carter Offer for all three teams was legit, and if that is the case then ASG need to get out of sport business ASAP or they are going to pay for it dearly.
Also it looks like John Moores is still trying to go for the Hawks and Phillps Arena.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/2011/05/23/20110523phoenix-coyotes-open-house-glendale.html
May 26th, 2011
1:12 pm
May.25.2011
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/
COYOTES
Phoenix Coyotes open house set for Glendale
Coyotes Fans Trash Atlanta fans for having a money loosing team and insist Atlanta loosing it’s team is required to support the teams loses and help the NHL recover waht it lost last year, near the 37 million mark. in Glendale Arizona.
Winnipeg #33
May 26th, 2011
1:13 pm
No sense in stirring the pot regarding TNSE, they are not your enemy, nor is the city of Winnipeg. We lost a team once as well. And we were jerked around in the same way. TNSE set out on a multi-year plan to obtain a team for WPG starting with the acquisition and growth of the most successful AHL franchise. Winnipeg has paid it’s dues and finally is getting a team back. It’s a shame that team has to be your’s and I am sorry about that. But getting pissed off at Winnipeg, TNSE or Canada (really?) is not the answer.
The NHL is not favouring Winnipeg here either, they made us work to get a team back and even now are reluctant to admit the deal is done.
The reality is an Atlanta hockey team is a money loosing business for the second time (re: Atlanta Flames). No one locally wants to pay money to run a business that looses money. Would you? the ASG’s main concern is return on investment. They haven’t gotten that for many years, and all potential local buyers recognize that.
Does that mean the fans lets the team down? No. The fans were local, the problem is there wasn’t enough or they weren’t paying enough to fund a very expensive business.
Its a crap situation, and Winnipeg understands 100% your sentiments. We will take very good care of your team. That I can promise.
cable guy
May 26th, 2011
1:15 pm
I like the idea of a Lawyer/season ticket holder litigating this thing in a court of law. There has to be one brave soul who will do so on behalf of Thrasher fans. You could only end up looking like a hero for trying! The ASG only understand legalese anyway.
OHL
May 26th, 2011
1:15 pm
George,
I agree with you, I think we are actually saying the same thing. When the NHL takes that $$ to cover losses as you say, they are “pocketing it” as I say. Gary’s keeping that money, we both agree on that. I’m just saying that if Glendale/Phoenix can’t come up with another $25 mil, look for the ‘yotes to be on the move again or that franchise is going to really have to somehow turn profitable.
Keep Hockey in Atlanta
May 26th, 2011
1:18 pm
@ Winnipeg #33
So then why couldn’t TNSE push for an expansion team? They clearly have the money to do so and also why didn’t Winnipeg support the Moose better? What was the average attendance for the Moose over the past few seasons?
@winnipeg33
May 26th, 2011
1:20 pm
Go back assinbone park, or is that boneinass park?
Coyote Fans Trash Atlanta
May 26th, 2011
1:25 pm
May.26.2011
Coyote fans continue to say atlanta cannot support an NHL team and the Coyotes should be subsidized for keeping thier team., “They beleive the NHL should continue thier bailout of the Coyotes and Atlanta is just not a sports town.”
Please Login to leave your comments at:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/2011/05/23/20110523phoenix-coyotes-open-house-glendale.html
Random Thoughts
May 26th, 2011
1:26 pm
Chris
Keep digging….how motivated have ASG been to really keep it here…..there are rumblings from people in the know that they have put cold water on all local deals
Thanks
@random thoughts
May 26th, 2011
1:31 pm
To tell Chris to “keep digging” would imply that he has done some digging thus far. If he has it has been with a garden trowell…
Kelly
May 26th, 2011
1:35 pm
Keep Hockey in Atlanta: Ummm, the Moose have been very, very profitable for TNSE. That’s where a good chunk of this money is coming from. The Moose have sold out their luxury suites, rake in vast sums of money in advertising and sponsorship revenue and run one of the Top 10 busiest entertainment venues in North America. As for pushing for an expansion team, why? Why is it in Winnipeg’s interests to pay more for an expansion team when there are so many teetering on the brink of financial ruin at greatly reduced prices. Would you pay twice the price for something you can get at a fire sale? Besides, the NHL talent pool is already watered down. Expansion would only water that down more. In terms of on-ice product, contraction is the answer, not expansion.
BIG BUFF
May 26th, 2011
1:36 pm
Yo Pegger — Finally was able to use your canadian typewriter to get your correct thoughts out!! Congrats….Third times a charm, ya idiot.
MJC
May 26th, 2011
1:36 pm
[i]-PolicyFrog
“(the last 9 expansion teams all lose money).”[/i]
[citation needed]
PolicyFrog
May 26th, 2011
1:37 pm
@Keep Hockey in Atlanta
The last thing the NHL needs is expansion. Contraction would actually make for a better product and a stronger league (the last 9 expansion teams all lose money).
As for your question about support fro the Moose, the team had the second-highest attendance in the AHL this past season.
Rodzilla87
May 26th, 2011
1:43 pm
The Thrashers’ move is another example why Atlanta is not a major city that can really play with the big boys, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia… But then again, Tampa and Raleigh still have their teams, don’t they? Poor marketing of the team. Poor organization. Sure, ‘world’s busiest airport’, but so far behind in many other ways, like real transportation, a true sports fan base, etc. Not surprised that this is happening.
Keep Hockey in Atlanta
May 26th, 2011
1:55 pm
The Moose while coming in 2nd in attendance for the 2010-2011 season averaging 8,404 or just a measly 56%. Why can’t the Winnipeggers pack the house? In 6 playoff games this year the Moose averaged just 7,520 or just barely 50%. And we’re lead to believe that somehow they will pack the house for NHL games?
Guffman
May 26th, 2011
1:58 pm
“Another thing. . this whole sale hinges on the financial loss issue. A lawyer who files on behalf of season ticket holders could end up forcing ASG to open the books. Make them prove their point.”
ASG does not have to prove anything to anyone. There is no legal basis for a lawsuit. They are a private entity and the only parties that are legally entitled to accurate statements of income and loss are the tax authorities and lenders.
Heck, ASG could sell the team even if they were making money. When prospective buyers analyze the books, they are well aware of the accounting procedures used, so if ASG was artificially inflating hockey losses, a buyer would realize that and factor that fact in.
This suggestion is just not valid.
Stan Drulia
May 26th, 2011
2:00 pm
Bring Back the Knights!
jw
May 26th, 2011
2:03 pm
All that is left is where the members are going to deposit the money – and where the new Bentley’s are going to go!
What a mess – as moronic as this ownership is, they will probably mess it up, cause the deal to go sour and force the team to stay in ATL one more year – let’s hope for that to happen – a keystone kops deal!!!!!!!
jw
May 26th, 2011
2:07 pm
Then the team would be so underfunded that there would be furlough nights for players – that way the team could at least show up and play. They may be waiting for Bettman to get his head dislodged from this hind flanks, too! That comment about the fans came from deep within his bowels – may need a gastro guy to extract it.
Section119
May 26th, 2011
2:08 pm
Nathan -
I have a Georgia sub s corp and will pay the $125. Not an attorney and no longer a season ticketholder (was for 9 years).
@Guffman
May 26th, 2011
2:09 pm
The suggestion of a lawsuit was in response to the piece linked below challenging the legality of a relocation based on the NHL bylaws…not just to prove if the Thrash ever made any money.
http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-thrashers/2011/5/26/2190276/atlanta-thrashers-sale-nhl-bylaws-news
Guffman
May 26th, 2011
2:13 pm
Someone asked why did Winnipeg not pursue an expansion team instead of an existing team? That is something that the NHL controls. If there are more sellers than buyers, then franchise value starts to decrease. Awarding an expansion franchise would in that kind of market dilute the franchise values further.
If Winnipeg got an expansion this year, what would Atlanta be worth now? Certainly not $170M. In the end, the NHL represents the owners, and keeping franchise value high is a primary goal.
Regarding attendance in Winnipeg for its AHL games, they had the second highest league attendence. It is minor league hockey, so it’s kinda silly to expect professional league attendence levels.
For example, I wouldn’t expect a local choir to ave the same level of attendence as a Rolling Stones concert.
jw
May 26th, 2011
2:15 pm
Why litigation? The problem is the ownership – they will never sell to an Atlanta based group. That would be too big a hit to their ego. So, why slow down the obvious – let them go and every Georgian that sees these guys in public should remind each and every one of them of the damage they have done to the ATL sports market – or better yet, ask for some cab fare home -
@JW
May 26th, 2011
2:20 pm
Litigation is all the ASG know. If a court case delayed the move, TNSE might get a different team. I’d rather live in an NHL city than not. Why Kasim Reed and Nathan Deal won’t publicly decry this sham of a move is beyond me. The fans and city deserve better, and we’d support it.
Joe Friday
May 26th, 2011
2:27 pm
The deal would have been announced today if the Bruins had won last night. All they’re waiting for is the timing, this thing has been done for months, it’s been clear since Bill Daly’s comments last fall on WPG radio
die
May 26th, 2011
2:28 pm
Burn in hell ASG.
Guffman
May 26th, 2011
2:34 pm
“The suggestion of a lawsuit was in response to the piece linked below challenging the legality of a relocation based on the NHL bylaws…not just to prove if the Thrash ever made any money.
http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-thrashers/2011/5/26/2190276/atlanta-thrashers-sale-nhl-bylaws-news”
Thanks for the link. It was an interesting read. Remember though that these are INTERNAL GUIDELINES.
When an owner wants to tranfer out of a market, and the league is fine with it, then they will place little emphasis on some of the questionable points within the bylaws. Since the league and the seller are on the same page, they are cool doing that.
If the league wanted to stay in Atlana, they could use the bylaw guidance to deny the seller on numerous points. I suppose ASG could sue the league in that situation if they felt that the league was not faithfully adhering to the bylaws.
I really view the internal bylaws as something the NHL can use to prevent transfers that they do not like if they have reasonable basis for it.
I don’t see how an external party can sue based on an agreement that he’s not entitled to.
But I will retract one of my earlier points… if the Thrashers were profitabe, they would not be able to relocate. Best for the owners to tank the team for a few years, which is what they did.
tartnutrient52
May 26th, 2011
2:39 pm
I paid $32.67 for a XBOX 360 and my mom got a 17 inch Toshiba laptop for $94.83 being delivered to our house tomorrow by FedEX. I will never again pay expensive retail prices at stores. I even sold a 46 inch HDTV to my boss for $650 and it only cost me $52.78 to get. Here is the website we using to get all this stuff, http://BidsWork.com
Michael Gearon, Jr.
May 26th, 2011
2:39 pm
I can guarantee that we did everything we could to keep the team here. If you don’t believe me, kiss my a$$. You ruined the franchise, not us.
average joe
May 26th, 2011
2:44 pm
Hey Mikey,
Watch your back.
Huddie
May 26th, 2011
2:46 pm
Rodzilla87,
Terrible logic. Raleigh’s ONLY team is the hockey team and Tampa has no NBA team and is in danger of losing their MLB team. Piss-poor comparison.
Then in your same post, you talk about how poorly run the organization was. Well, which is it? Did this happen b/c the organization was poorly run or b/c Atlanta is such a terrible city?
Atlanta’s not in the same “pro sports town” category as Chicago or Philly…but who else is? Boston is the only other city I would put in that category. Not even New York (although they would probably be #4).
@ Huddie & Rodzilla
May 26th, 2011
2:53 pm
Phillie? Really? They have a good baseball team, after that it’s underachievers on the field, court & ice and d-bags in the stands….
Einstein
May 26th, 2011
3:06 pm
What a bunch of crybabies, trying to figure who dissed whom. Give me a freaking break! News flash to all you transplanted yankees living in the south: WE DON”T LIKE HOCKEY!!! How many more pro hockey teams does Atlanta have to endure before you guys get it? (two, so far). Go experience a Tech or Georgia Football game and then remind me again why hockey is so great. Buh-bye Thrashers.
Huddie
May 26th, 2011
3:08 pm
Absolutely. Their passion for their 4 pro sports teams rivals Chicago and Boston. No other cities come close.
nopester
May 26th, 2011
3:10 pm
Hey Einstein, the Tech football experience is borderline awful. Your credibility is shot. If you want to be taken seriously, do not include that again. Thanks.
George
May 26th, 2011
3:44 pm
If the owners and league are ok with the team being sold to move then it’s gone. But if the league is against it then they can stop it with a lawsuit. Which is what happened when Jim Balsillie tried buying the coyotes and moving them to Hamilton. The league stepped in to stop it, team declares bankruptcy and NHL is forced to buy it.
Get Out Of Atlanta
May 26th, 2011
3:48 pm
So glad to see them go!!!!! They never have been anything but losers…..we don’t need any more loser teams……we have the choking Braves……will be so glad to see the Thrashers gone!!!!!
Bluelander
May 26th, 2011
3:58 pm
Chris, why do you continually take ASG at their word and refuse to take them to task? Why is it that Jeff and Mark are the only ones being critical and asking questions of them and Bettman? You are a good reporter. It is painfully obvious that ASG has done a whole lot of stuff behind the scenes to prevent the Thrashers from being sold to someone who will keep them here. Why not question them about the offers on all 3 properties and whether the Hawks and Arena rights are truly for sale, or the curious timing of the Moore’s exclusivity agreement? C’mon man, ask some questions!
Einstein
May 26th, 2011
4:23 pm
Sorry nopester. I’m a die-hard dawg through and through. I was just trying to make the Techies feel better about themselves since they can’t ever beat us.
Ilya Kovalchuk
May 26th, 2011
4:31 pm
Now you see why I left. Not only the owners suck but, the press does as well.
OHL
May 26th, 2011
5:02 pm
George,
The league doesn’t even need to go to the courts, they are their own company. The BoG put the kibosh on Balsille, not the courts. And it was Nashville he did that with. But your point still stands, if they want to block it, they can, and they are not making an effort to block this.
letsnotgetexcited71
May 26th, 2011
7:40 pm
It’s fascinating how a great game like hockey can bring out the stupid in everyone. The fact of the matter is both Winnipeg and Atlanta fans are both getting beaten and whipped like an old mule. This deal is probably done and the NHL will take there sweet time annoucing this thing. So lets all agree lets sit and wait and just ignore CBC,TSN, ESPN, AJC and whoever else speaks about this and lets wait for TSNE and ASG to finish and annouce this thng. After all at the end of the day they are the ones doing this deal. Buy the way the upper deck was never opened for moose games get your facts straight
MrBill
May 26th, 2011
7:55 pm
This is getting exhausting all this going back and forth and I am betting a $1000.00 with anybody out their that time is running out and this deal will not happen for this year but will hang over or heads next season. They still have to do a test sale of season tickets in Winnipeg and next week is June and I’m sure Winnipegers have there summer plans and money allocated for vacations and what not and did not plan on buying hockey tickets so we maybe lucky.
letsnotgetexcited71
May 26th, 2011
8:20 pm
Mrbill quick and simple this will get done because ASG does not want to right paper anymore, and as for WINNIPEGERS they will be there trust me on that.
MrBill
May 26th, 2011
8:41 pm
Time will tell and Gary Bettmen just said in on Tsn sports time is getting short and I think this won’t get done in time and I think the Stanley cup playoffs and finals are in the way at this point and Bettmen dosen’t liike bad press. If this was going to be done then it would already have happened and don’t forget you have a draft coming up. The new team has to get people in place like scouts and winnipeg won’t know who to draft our scouts have been doing all the scouting indications are they won’t keep Dudley and Ramsey so they would to hire a staff pretty quickly. I believe this deal will fall apart soon and the Thrashers will be back next season and we will have our best season ever and attendance will be way up there. Be positive Atlanta !!!!
OHL
May 26th, 2011
9:10 pm
letsnotgetexcited71/MrBill,
I heard that TNSE wants to announce on a Monday because it would give them a full business week to sell and ride the buzz whereas any other day you have that much less time. If you do it on a Friday it may almost be useless compared to a Monday. Anyday in between is just that much less than Monday.
What is also interesting is that the Stanley Cup Finals will start next Friday, a full week after tomorrow’s Game 7. I can’t remember how it has always been historically, but it didn’t seem like that long. But it would make sense that if Gary wanted there to be dead time and not have the press interfere with the playoffs, this is exactly what he would do. No one knows for sure but that makes a lot of sense if they were to announce next Monday. And of course we have heard it a thousand times already that they couldn’t do it this past Monday due to the holiday.
Kelly
May 26th, 2011
9:30 pm
MrBill: Just because the last i hasn’t been dotted and last t crossed doesn’t mean that all parties aren’t already preparing for the deal to go through. The NHL has already drawn up a schedule with Winnipeg on it, TNSE is already working on who would be the executive and Winnipeggers are already lining up their pennies for season tickets. If it falls apart now it will only be because some insurmountable issue cropped up, not because of artificial timing issues.
hockeyguru
May 26th, 2011
9:56 pm
regarding the so-called “attendance” fans not coming issue–the Chicago Blackhawks went through a long stretch where there were 3,000 people a game and the team was deep in the red–and there was no talk about moving the team (I know, they’re an Original Six, but if this was the criteria, they would have been gone.) No, the issue is the ASG were/are not committed to the team..
MrBill
May 26th, 2011
10:28 pm
Monday is holiday here in the US and the banks are closed I bet a week from now there will still be no deal and Winnipegers have to pass a test of buying season tickets for three years to see if they can support this. I don’t believe it will happen. Here come the Atlanta Thrashers in Phillips arena this fall and letsnotgetexcited71 you are from Canada and there will no NHL in Winnipeg this year.
Kelly
May 26th, 2011
11:08 pm
I’m curious as to why anyone is accusing Winnipeg of ‘poaching’ the Thrashers.
Your owners put up the “for sale” sign and our guys responded. How is that poaching any more than if you listed your house for sale and received offers?
MrBill: I wouldn’t be buying those Thrasher tickets just yet. Word from a number of sources is that none of the issues outstanding are at all deal-breakers, merely details that must be worked out. Your mayor has even read the eulogy already. Sorry, dude. I know it sucks to lose a team.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 27th, 2011
12:06 am
If the Thrasher’s are being poached then what Michael Gearon says in this interview done today isn’t representitive of that…read it and weep!
Earlier today, I spent about an hour in a one-on-one conversation with Atlanta Thrashers co-owner, Michael Gearon – getting his side of the story on how exactly we’ve gotten to this point in the whole “Thrashers relocation saga.” It was his side of the story, mind you. But there was no pretending that there was still a chance the team would remain. It’s not going to happen. In fact, he offered that the deal to sell the Thrashers is “about 80-percent complete.” However, an announcement may not come until next week – maybe. Gearon said that there are still mounds of paperwork to take care of.
Mounds of paperwork, but this deal is moving on and will get done. Unless of course they decide to use one idiot’s idea on these boards, and split the season in half with Winnipeg. I’ve never in my life heard anything nearly as stupid as that. But in Atlanta you can’t ever say you’ve heard it all, there’s always some dope who wll top the previous Billy Ray Jim Bob!
Getthepuckouttahere
May 27th, 2011
12:13 am
Winnipeg doesn’t have to pass a test. What’s wrong with you people, can’t you read? Are you really in that much denial? The league will make the announcement, you don’t think for a minute that ASG is going to hold some sort of press conference to tell all of you they sold the team do you? It’s over, a done deal, they’re doing paper work, the team is moving. Get on with your life, you lost another franchise, you won’t be getting another one. Atlanta isn’t a hockey town, this is pretty clear isn’t it? If it was this team wouldn’t be moving. I can’t believe how many of you think there’s going to be some 11th hour heroics, some guy will walk into Thrasher HQ with a check to buy the team and keep them here. Unbelievable!
Getthepuckouttahere
May 27th, 2011
12:14 am
Mr. Bill is obviously one who doesn’t know how to read or doesn’t get out of mommy’s basement much. Test sales? Where do you come up with this crap? READ the interivew on FOX Atlanta you dope with the owner, he said it right there, the sale is 80% done, they’re doing paperwork, the team is leaving town.
The only testing that needs to be done is in your head. What an idiot.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 27th, 2011
12:25 am
Here’s the problem you dopes, you’ve sat here and relied on all the news of this sale from a guy who has to find a job since the Thrasher’s are leaving. Why not try moving out of this so-called blog, hit Fox Atlanta or Google and see what else is out there, there’s plenty. If you’d rather hang on to the little bits of info this guy is tossing at you, like he’s got some sort of inside info you’ll be here until next season’s all star break. It’s over, done. CViv is laughing his butt off, he’s been stringing you along, he’s got nothing but second hand news. At least Fox had the berries to knock on the Thrasher’s door and interview someone who knows wtf their talking about…the owner. Here, read it for yourself…it’s more than you’ll get from this moron.
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/atlanta-thrashers-owner-talks-to-fox-5%27s-ken-rodriguez-20110526-tm
Andrew51
May 27th, 2011
12:32 am
@Nathan
An injunction on what grounds?
Getthepuckouttahere
May 27th, 2011
12:48 am
By the way Mr. Bill, I’ll take that $1,000 bet and raise it another $5,000. You on? You that sure they’re staying?
PT Barnum…A sucker born every minute. Now go cash those welfare checks Bill, and I only take cash!
Crazy Diamond
May 27th, 2011
12:49 am
Cooked books? At Atlanta Spirit? Those guys don’t know the recepie for ice cubes! They could spoil a serving of cold cereal. No cooking there.
Its been prooven twice – NHL in Atlanta is a loser. No need to cook the books.
Andrew51
May 27th, 2011
12:57 am
@MrBill
Denial – it’s not just a river in Egypt anymore huh?
What the majority of people don’t realize is that sources have confirmed that this deal has been in place for months and all things hockey are already in the process of transition North. Sorry. They are ready to go in Winnipeg.
letsnotgetexcited71
May 27th, 2011
10:24 am
Sorry I took so long to answer doing a little work but taking a break. Mr Bill I mean no disrespect to anybody in the Atlanta market as we in Winnipeg can tell you this sucks and everybody on both sides of the ledger feel the strain. The fact is all the wishing and hoping isn’t going to change the fact that this is taking time and when it is done then it is done. I don’t disagree with you on the fact that I think this announcement will run on NHL time maybe Tuesday or early Wednesday next week because I believe game 1 starts Wednesday and Winnipeg is only a 3 hour flight from Vancouver so Mr Bettman could make this. Plus this would probably not take anything away from the Stanley cup finals anyway just maybe in Winnipeg. Guys never let this get personnel it’s just two business entities doing a deal, it just happens to effect people who I believe on both sides to be passionate hockey fans.
Nathan
May 27th, 2011
12:37 pm
@Andrews 51,
Just thinking out loud based on the previously posted NHL bylaws link. And trust me injunctions have been granted on a great deal less than this.
@All Winnipeg Supporters
Guys, I sincerely hope that you don’t think my negativity or anyone elses is directed at you bc its not. If I was a winnipeg native I’d be hoping, praying, scratching, and clawing for a team and I’m glad you are getting one, I just wish it wasn’t mine. The bottom line is that Atlanta has gotten the shaft since day 1 because we were never truly given an honest shot to compete with this ownership. We have literally been lied to, me personally as I have had actual face to face contact with one of the ASG and it was nothing short of someone literally talking to me like I was mentally handicapped. It is unfortunate how insulting this whole process has been.
letsnotgetexcited71
May 27th, 2011
1:39 pm
Nathan
I think being from Winnipeg we do forget what is happening in this process considering it happened to us not so long ago. Looking at the Atlanta Thrashers from afar I believe ownership was a problem, but management was more the culprit, Don Wadell is a idiot. I never blame people who live in a non traditional market to not show up if the team doesn’t look like it is trying to get better from a management position. It’s tougher now because this team does look like it is close to being a winner, so to the fans of Atlanta and I’m seriuos when I write this I truly do feel for you. Guys it truly looks like there is some passion for hockey down there and this canadian respects the hell out of you for that.
Stan Drulia
May 27th, 2011
4:44 pm
Hahaha! Getthepuckouttahere tells us to get out of this chat and read somthing else… this as he posts four lengthy posts at once and for days has posted things proving what a stupid canadian rube he is. Good show aye?!?! I’m going swimming this weekend at a cookout… I guess you will be digging your driveway out of snow. Canadian idiot.
MrBill
May 27th, 2011
11:28 pm
Stanley Cup Finals begin wed june 1st with the Canucks and Bruins,Winnipegers will be caught in that since the Moose is the farm team of the Canucks and Bettman and the league of Governors will all caught in that. If a deal is not annouced on Tuesday than I think time will run out for the completion of this deal and True North still has to see how Winnipeg will support this team with Test ticket drive to see if the can sell 3 yrs of season tickets, Gary Bettman doesn’t want distractions during this time he will be busy going back and forth from Vancouver and Boston opposite ends of the country. Alot of things have to be done to get a team in place in Winnipeg for next season like a team name, uniforms, advertisers, a staff, sales people and a whole lot more. I don’t think this will happen. The Last thing Bettman wants is to put a team in Winnipeg that is completely disorganized with a couple of months to go for traning camps set to open and also a draft coming up Winnipeg has nothing in place and they haven’t been scouting out players. It would be very chaotic I’m sure. Just think for an expansion it takes a couple of years to get things in place before they even start to play. So hold on Atlanta time may just save us.
G52PIM228
May 28th, 2011
3:11 pm
I just really love penis. Thought everyone should know that. Plus Atlanta can lick the underside of my sweaty, hairy, and wrinkly nut-sack.
G52PIM228
May 28th, 2011
3:14 pm
Wow, what are the dozens of hockey fans in Atlanta going to do now without an NHL team. Probably have sex with their cousins I presume. Bunch of inbred hicks.
Jets4ever
May 28th, 2011
3:17 pm
Tells you all you need to know about the difference in the fan base. Atlanta is on the verge of losing their team and a hundred or so show up for a small “rally”. A premature report in the evening from the Globe and Mail and a thousand people flock to the streets of Winnipeg for an impromptu street hockey game and celebration. Go Jets Go!!!!!!
Jets4ever
May 28th, 2011
3:26 pm
Wow, Atlanta fans have been clinging to hope that a retired MLB or NHL player may buy the thrashers. They were even hoping a two-bit rapper may buy the team. How much are they willing to sell the team for to keep it in Atlanta???? $8,000????? What’s next, a retired janitor from the ajc is going to come forward?????? Brutal!!!!! Go Jets Go!!!!!
Jetsrock
May 28th, 2011
3:33 pm
Sorry mr bill you are mistaken. Winnipeg will retain the services of the current staff including the gm and scouts and will be fully prepared for the draft and training camp. And true north will already have ideas for a team name and jerseys prepared. No concern there. A ticket drive is not a necessity for the NHL to approve the sale and the owners have already tested the market and are satisfied it will work or they wouldn’t have gone this far. Thomson isn’t a billionaire 25 times over because he makes stupid business decisions. This is happening. deal with it. Go Jets Go!!!!!
MrBill
May 29th, 2011
11:22 pm
Mr Bill
May 29th, 2011
11:10 pm
To late for Thrashers to move if you think about it, just think of everything that has to go on in Winnipeg to get ready for season thats only a few months away. Training camp starts in September, they have to get a team name uniforms but before that you have free agency and Atlanta has some free agents also you have a draft coming up plus they have to get a staff in place looks like they won’t keep Dudley or Ramsey also a test ticket drive has to be done to see if Winnipegers will committ to three years of Season Tickets also the NHL needs to consider they have an arena that will hold 15000 and we averaged just over 13000 this season. Just think they are trying to fill up about 1500-2000 more seats not that big of a deal. They need an Arena that will hold atleast 18000 or 19000, also lets say you have 15000 a game that is still average and its not a sell out compared to other arenas. Even if you get 15000 a game and there are another 3-4000 who want to get in well they won’t be able to. That means they lose money. If I were True North I would seriously consider walking away from this because they won’t be able to get good quality players and the end result they will be left out in the cold a financial melt down. If I were them I would have that arena expanded so it could sit more people because its the NHL and not the AHL and right now its not NHL ready, I don’t care what they say.
Getthepuckouttahere
May 30th, 2011
10:21 pm
A letter to the Thrasher Fans posted on my website – Yougabsports.com.
Read it and enjoy…it puts in perspectiv what Thrasher fasn are…dreamers!!!!
http://yougabsports.com/pt/A-Letter-To-Thrasher-Fans/blog.htm
Getthepuckouttahere
May 30th, 2011
10:22 pm
A letter to the Thrasher Fans posted on my website – Yougabsports.com.
Read it and enjoy…it puts in perspective what Thrasher fans are…dreamers!!!!
http://yougabsports.com/pt/A-Letter-To-Thrasher-Fans/blog.htm
YOUGABSPORTS.COM
May 30th, 2011
11:21 pm
Wow CViv…you really keep going out on a limb ith these updates don’t you?
A letter to the Thrasher Fans posted on my website – Yougabsports.com.
Read it and enjoy…it puts in perspectiv what Thrasher fasn are…dreamers!!!!
http://yougabsports.com/pt/A-Letter-To-Thrasher-Fans/blog.htm
Ray Ferraro's Bobble Head Doll
May 31st, 2011
7:36 am
2 pm presser in Winnipeg?