Updated: Another suitor for the Thrashers?
In response to a television report that once again named a filmmaker as an interested party in purchasing the Thrashers, team president Don Waddell issued the following statement on Friday afternoon. It indicates that another party this week expressed an interest in the Thrashers to keep the team in Atlanta.
Here is the statement:
“Along with all other groups who have expressed an interest in pursuing an ownership opportunity, which has happened as recently as earlier this week, we have said continuously that ‘until an agreement is signed and approved by the board of governors, it’s never too late but they will have to move very quickly and decisively. Ownership still is committed to selling at a greatly reduced price to anyone committed to Atlanta.’ ”
The potential suitor stepped forward Thursday and would be considered in the preliminary stages of interest. The introduction of the possible suitor to the Spirit may have come from a season-ticket holder. A great deal of work would need to be done, if proven a serious suitor, and time is an issue.
As I reported Friday, negotiations with True North to sell and relocate the Thrashers to Winnipeg continue, but a deal is not done. Should it be completed, it won’t be done before Tuesday following the Memorial Day weekend.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
384 comments Add your comment
almostdone
May 31st, 2011
1:31 am
OMG! Ignorant I swear half of the comments I am reading you people have no clue what you are talking about! YOu really know nothing about winnipeg. Some of the BEST NHL players came from Canada not to mention WINNIPEG also. We lost a team just like Atlanta is now and We know how crappy it feels but It happens and the fact that you all can put down winnipeg when probably half of you have never been here makes me laugh. From what I have heard half the Thrashers actually are looking forward to playing here so just you all watch and see what a small city (according to one of you only good for a truckstop) does for this team and the thousands of support they will be getting when the announcement is made this week, and from then on.
mitch from winnipeg
May 31st, 2011
1:31 am
they where sold to winnipeg we have the jets back so get over it we got a deal also didnt over pay at all
TheAntiMe
May 31st, 2011
2:04 am
the fact that you all can put down winnipeg when probably half of you have never been here makes me laugh.
Well, since you and your fellow no-class trolls are pretty much the most visible criteria that we in Atlanta have to go by then it would stand to reason that Winnipeg is inhabited by a bunch of no-class loser yokel trolls like yourself.
Al
May 31st, 2011
2:25 am
The only thing I have to say is that through reading the comments on this article I have lost a significant amount of respect for the people of Atlanta.
Why are there so many comments attacking the city of Winnipeg and its people, as well as attacking Canada? What did they do other than show support by partying on the street in thousands?
Come on, Atlanta, you are embarrasing yourselves.
sam
May 31st, 2011
2:28 am
TheAntiMe said: “Well, since you and your fellow no-class trolls are pretty much the most visible criteria that we in Atlanta have to go by then it would stand to reason that Winnipeg is inhabited by a bunch of no-class loser yokel trolls like yourself.”
To this, I say that you have just proven yourself a massive hypocrite. Listen to yourself, man, and stop making the people of Atlanta sound like idiots.
TheAntiMe
May 31st, 2011
3:15 am
To this, I say that you have just proven yourself a massive hypocrite. Listen to yourself, man, and stop making the people of Atlanta sound like idiots.
What do you expect, for us to buy you ice cream and cake? I used to think that Phillies fans were the biggest group of idiots in sports but you trolls from Winnipeg make them look like Nobel Prize winners. Either you people from Winnipeg are the most ignorant creatures in the galaxy or you are just plain disingenuous. I tend to lead toward the former since I’m sure that most of you will have to look up what the word “disingenuous” means.
To try and spell it out for you no-class trolls – why are you even here on our ajc.com Thrashers Blog? It’s more than obvious. The only reason you are here is to gloat over someone else’s misfortune. Very classy, to be sure. Just a suggestion, if I say anything at all to hurt you Winnipegger’s no-class troll’s iddy biddy little feelings then you definitely have the option to go do your flaming on someone else’s blog.
Get a freaking clue D-bags. Were the situation reversed, I would never go on your blog and gloat about how you lost your team to us. And in another 7 years or so when you do lose your franchise you will see that I tell the truth. I have never had the displeasure of encountering a more classless group of sports fans than you jerkoffs from Winnipeg and I am actually looking forward to when the deal is done to not have to see any of you no-class losers again. And I mean that sincerely.
Once again, you trolls have left no doubt that the hamlet of Winnipeg is the massive hemorrhoid on the anus of Canada, and the rest of the world.
Sam
May 31st, 2011
5:04 am
TheAntiMe… I’m from Atlanta.
And your attitude is embarrassing my city.
In calling the people of Winnipeg jerkoffs and classless and “the anus of Canada” all you are doing is making the people of Atlanta sound like jerkoffs and classless.
Please, for the sake of the impression you are giving of our city, stop talking.
Thank you.
Let NONE In
May 31st, 2011
5:54 am
Any update on the sale? Per Canada media, deal was supposed to be announced last night. Riot police and a hotel were supposed to be on call.
Let NONE In
May 31st, 2011
6:15 am
Talk about talking in circles and saying nothing. LOL. Canada media full of hacks.
By THE CANADIAN PRESS
Tue, May 31 – 4:54 AM
WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg NHL watch continues with reports that the Atlanta Thrashers’ sale could be complete this week, possibly as early as today.
The Thrashers’ owners are in negotiations with True North Sports and Entertainment, which wants to move the team to Winnipeg.
While reports suggested the news might come sooner rather than later, those in the know chose their words carefully Monday afternoon.
True North spokesman Scott Brown told The Canadian Press that “no press conference has been scheduled.”
And NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email that “there is nothing done as of now.”
The Stanley Cup final between Boston and Vancouver begins Wednesday. The NHL would likely prefer the Thrashers’ sale is announced on a day there is no hockey.
Still, Daly told The Associated Press on Monday there is no strict rule against releasing big news during the final.
Daly said he couldn’t say if the sale could be announced as soon as today, but “it’s certainly possible something will be finalized this week.”
Let NONE In
May 31st, 2011
6:18 am
Sources say the deal was done months ago. The only issues are purchase price and allocation of purchase price. By the way, the two most important componants of any deal.
TheAntiMe
May 31st, 2011
6:40 am
TheAntiMe… I’m from Atlanta.
And your attitude is embarrassing my city.
Oh really, Sam? Anyone who looks at the context of your previous post can easily see that not only are you a no-class troll but are also a total prevaricator.
Way to represent Winnipeg, bud. I have nothing at all against Canada so I won’t blame them for their hemorrhoids such as yourself. Just go back to your Winnipeg site and leave us the hell alone.
pegcityguy
May 31st, 2011
6:50 am
I feel sorry for the thrashers fans……………………all two of em
What We Learned: Old Man Mark Recchi’s astonishing longevity | Boston Local Me.me
May 31st, 2011
7:10 am
[...] Thrashers: Another possible buyer for the Thrashers? Yeah, it’s a guy with a fake-looking mustache calling himself Tim [...]
ASG
May 31st, 2011
7:13 am
This story is complete BS. Just wanted to get everyones hopes up and then squash them again.
I’ve been to Winnipeg. Twice. Meh!! Nothing good to say about.
Egghead
May 31st, 2011
7:13 am
Atlanta = Excellent City TheAntiMe = Monkey Spunk G52 = Delusional Gongdale resident. Too bad it was not the Yotes moving then Mr. or Miss G52 would not be so smug. Hey little fellar got a news flash for you, next year when the NHL comes with hand out looking for your dumb azz mayor to cover their loss’s again, and she does that will suit the NHL just fine. They need another 2 years from now for Quebec to finish an arena and then the Yotes are toast. Glendale is hands down the clown town of the NHL. Gee lets just rent the team since no one is stupid enough to throw in their own money. Yotes = Complete financial disaster Atlanta fans deserved much better no doubt!!
Real Hockey Fan
May 31st, 2011
7:38 am
All you idiots who claimed it wasn’t going to happen look even dumber today. Announcement coming at 11 am Winnipeg time. Finally the Thrashers will get to play in a real hockey city with real hockey fans and get the support the deserve. As for Atlanta you guys can go back to being the joke that you are, 2 time failures of the NHL.
Anfe
May 31st, 2011
7:49 am
Finally new owners.
Moe
May 31st, 2011
8:20 am
TNSE has called a press conference for 11:00am today. It looks like it’s all over.
@G52PIM228
May 31st, 2011
8:21 am
@G52PIM228 – is that the number of games and penalty minutes you got in peewee?
Here’s a story for ya…
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=367433
True North Sports and Entertainment has called a news conference for Noon et/11am ct today where they are expected to address their negotiations with Atlanta Spirit Group on the sale and relocation of the Thrashers to Winnipeg.
The Atlanta Thrashers-to-Winnipeg situation has been an ongoing negotiation and the legal teams involved with True North, the Atlanta Spirit and the National Hockey League spent Monday night and early Tuesday morning combing over what should be the framework of an agreement.
Lawyers on the Winnipeg side signed off on the deal on Monday afternoon and the Atlanta legal team was left to do their due diligence. Once they sign off on the deal, the sale will go through pending league approval.
Once an agreement has been reached, True North is expected to launch a season ticket drive.
Details to follow.
Jackmeller
May 31st, 2011
8:24 am
True North Sports and Entertainment has confirmed they will host a media conference at 11:00 this morning at MTS Centre.
Stay tuned to CJOB and http://www.cjob.com for live coverage.
Big Red
May 31st, 2011
8:31 am
Press conference in Winnipeg to announce Thrashers sale at 12 pm ET
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/
Looks like all that’s left is the crying..that makes 2 teams that left the home of fried chicken and watermelon
Ugh
May 31st, 2011
8:45 am
Well G52, this news will undoubtedly make your blood boil. Read my words very carefully and let it sink in.
“Official Announcement and news conference of the sale of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg set for 11 am CDT.”
So, now what are you going to do with your time?
Rich T
May 31st, 2011
8:46 am
Enjoy the Thrashers, Winnipeg. Congratulations on getting another opportunity.
Anders Hedberg
May 31st, 2011
8:53 am
“@G52PIM228 – is that the number of games and penalty minutes you got in peewee?”
Are you kidding, like others who subsist in Arizona, G52 first heard of hockey a couple of years ago. He doesn’t care about the game. He spends all of his time on the AZ Republic and AJC websites.
Congratulations Winnipeg. For everybody who said this would never happen, it’s happening.
Responsible Journalist
May 31st, 2011
8:55 am
It’s over. I curse the ASG, Canada and the NHL.
Stan Drulia
May 31st, 2011
8:56 am
Getthepuckouttahere is a sad little boy. Go back to Blake’s on the park and spend hours and hours writing your high school blog loser. I like how you try to call out people for using screen names. So your first name is Getthe? You are a loser and everyone in this chat is laughing at you for spending so much of your life getting worked up about something that has no effect on your life whatsoever. Haha – your writers attended colleges????!@!!! That’s so impressive???!!!!! Boston sucks…. go back there.
PMC
May 31st, 2011
9:00 am
This Waddell guy, he just can’t help himself can he?
Anders Hedberg
May 31st, 2011
9:04 am
Congratulations Winnipeg!
Next:
After the city of Glendale throws another $25M into the Coyotes sinkhole for another year or two, it will be just enough time for the team to move to Quebec – their new arena will be completed soon. Then what’s next, Hamilton? Somewhere here in Southern Ontario I would think. London maybe?
Anders Hedberg
May 31st, 2011
9:06 am
@PMC
Are you referring to the “other suitor” because I am sure we were all wondering the same thing? Was this all an effort for them to be able to say that they REALLY DID exhaust everything locally before the announcement that he had to know was coming today?
Anders Hedberg
May 31st, 2011
9:11 am
To the true Atlanta Thrashers Fans – the people of Winnipeg, Quebec, Minnesota and Hartford know your frustration and pain. The Winnipeg/TNSE approach might be looked upon as a model to obtain a franchise and it may be worth taking a look at. Definitely worked better than the Balsillie approach. A third time may be hard to picture but who knows what could happen.
Hotrod
May 31st, 2011
9:20 am
Bye Thrashers. Its a little painful, but glad its over.
We will watch you on the tube.
Big Daddy (formerly waffleboy)
May 31st, 2011
9:23 am
A sad, sad day for us Thrasher fans. I know no one cares, but the NHL has lost one fan for life. The way this affair has been handled over the last six months was disgusting. Nothing against the fine people of Winnipeg, but this is no way for a team to leave a city. The NHL and Gary Bettman conspired with TNSE and ASG to put this deal through and that’s my problem. The Thrashers were never given an opportunity to succeed and everyone familiar with the situation knows it. Ultimately, the only ones hurt are the players who signed long-term deals because of the team staying in ATL and the fans who have been lied to since the day ASG bought the team.
As well, the NHL is doing itself a great disservice by moving teams away from an expanding market into a saturated market. Yes, Winnipeg will support the team just fine, but there is no growth for the league there. All the people in Winnipeg are already NHL fans, so they gain nothing. This hurts the NHL as they search for a better TV contract as well. If PHX is next, as it seems likely, the NHL will continue to be a niche league and not a serious competitor to the Big Three. Which is a shame, because hockey is an exciting sport that could expand if marketed right.
While the deal makes sense today because of the value of the Canadian dollar versus the US dollar, we all know that won’t last forever and the NHL is going to be forced to contract the league.
Nothender
May 31st, 2011
9:25 am
15 years ago when the Jets left I lost interest in the NHL..now today I’m a fan again…can hardly wait for next season
Nothender
May 31st, 2011
9:30 am
Winnipegers really do understand how the Thrasher fans feel today..its like a death in the family;y