Archive for May, 2011

There is currently just one group in active negotiations with the Atlanta Spirit interested in purchasing the Thrashers and keeping the franchise in Atlanta.

The group, not from Atlanta, is working with team president Don Waddell. A deal is not imminent, according to Waddell.

“My job is to try to find a buyer who will keep the team in Atlanta,” Waddell told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “As long as they keep taking my phone calls, I’ll keep working.”

Earlier this month, Waddell was dealing with two prospective buyers, neither local, to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta.

Negotiations also continue between Atlanta Spirit officials and True North Sports and Entertainment on a deal to purchase the Thrashers and relocate to Winnipeg. Such a deal is also not imminent, however an agreement would likely need to be reached in the near future to accommodate relocation.

An exclusive negotiating agreement has not been signed allowing multiple on-going negotiations.

“As has …

Continue reading Down to one group currently negotiating to keep Thrashers in Atlanta »

The AJC’s Melissa Ruggieri spoke to Lil Jon for another story this weekend. While she was at it, Melissa asked about Lil Jon’s rumored interest in buying the Thrashers.

Here is what he had to say:

“I love the Thrashers, but I’m not investing in them. The one good thing about that rumor is that it’s stirring up a lot of people talking and saying we gotta keep them here, it brings awareness to it. But I’m not investing. That’s a lot of money to buy a professional hockey team! I’ll help then out with some awareness, though.”

Continue reading Lil Jon happy to spread word, but not investing in Thrashers »

Here are the details, as provided to me the Thrashers fan club, for an event to be held Saturday to support the Thrashers remaining in Atlanta. It will be held in the Gulch by Philips Arena.

Continue reading Thrashers fans schedule event »

In case you missed it, here is Tim Tucker’s story about the latest developments in the Atlanta Spirit ownership. The AJC continues to report the story and we will let you know of any new developments.

The Thrashers aren’t the only team that the Atlanta Spirit ownership group is discussing selling.

The Spirit, in the process of negotiating a deal that would send the hockey team to Winnipeg, also is in talks about a possible separate sale of the basketball Hawks, who would remain in Atlanta.

Two people familiar with the situation, both of whom asked not to be identified because of the ongoing talks, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the Spirit and outgoing San Diego Padres owner John Moores are in an exclusive negotiating period regarding the Hawks and the Philips Arena operating rights. Both people said a deal is not close and that it’s far from assured one will get done.

The exclusive negotiating period means the owners agreed not to pursue the sale of the Hawks …

Continue reading Spirit in negotiations about Hawks, arena rights »

CineSport’s Noah Coslov turns to the AJC’s Chris Vivlamore to get the latest on the possible sale and move of the Atlanta Thrashers.

Continue reading Video blog: Thrashers moving to Winnipeg? »

Sorry folks. Got so caught up in my news story about Atlanta Spirit and True North negotiating about a possible sale that I didn’t give you a place to comment.

Here is the start of the story, if you are late to the news.

The Atlanta Spirit are in negotiations with True North Sports and Entertainment on the sale of the Thrashers, which would result in relocation to Winnipeg, according to a person familiar with the NHL’s sale process.

A deal has not been completed and the parties have not entered into an exclusive negotiating agreement. It is also not known how long the two sides have been negotiating. However, the fact that talks are on-going could mean the Thrashers would relocate to Manitoba perhaps as soon as next season.

“I have never confirmed nor denied specific parties we have been talking to in regards to a possible sale of the Thrashers,” Atlanta Spirit co-owner Bruce Levenson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday.

Typically, confidentiality …

Continue reading Spirit, True North have begun talks »

While the Atlanta Spirit is looking to sell the Thrashers – with relocation a possibility – could the other NHL owners play a part in keeping the franchise in Atlanta?

It is possible.

Currently, there has not been a potential buyer – willing and/or able – that has taken more than the preliminary step to purchase the franchise with the intention of keeping the Thrashers in Atlanta. The search continues with ownership making several pleas for interested parties to step forward. True North Sports and Entertainment has the money and the arena in place to bring the NHL back to Winnipeg. The group first wanted to bring the Coyotes, a team owned by the league, back to Manitoba. When the City of Glendale voted to pay $25 million to keep the team it appeared that situation was settled. The Thrashers, very moveable, were next on the target list with an ownership group willing to sell.

However, is the Coyotes situation really settled? The NHL owners, who have already footed a large …

Continue reading An analysis: Could NHL’s other owners save the Thrashers? »

It is unclear this morning if the Thrashers have been granted  permission by the NHL to begin negotiations with True North Sports and Entertainment, the entity that would purchase the franchise and move it to Winnipeg, or if those talks have already begun.

However, it does appear the situation is headed in that direction. All attempts to find a buyer with the intention – and wherewithal – to keep the franchise in Atlanta have not moved past the preliminary stage. After signing a non-disclosure agreement for an initial look at team financial records, a prospective buyer must provide proof of the financial assets to complete a sale. No interested party has done so to this point. Time is running out.

As I was told and reported this week, things could move quickly in regard to a sale and relocation. Although, contrary to reports, it won’t get done by this weekend.

There is also no timetable on the possible completion of a deal with True North. It is also not known if such an …

Continue reading No word whether Spirit, True North are in negotiations »

Ben Maxwell was acquired by the Thrashers in a trade with the Canadiens on Feb. 24. The forward played 12 games and finished with a goal and an assist, both coming March 27 against the Senators.

Maxwell is a restricted free agent this summer.

In the final of a series of interviews with Thrashers players following the 2010-11 season, here is some of what Maxwell said about getting a chance to play in Atlanta and what coaches told him to work on in the offseason.

Q. What did the coaches say to you in your end-of-season meeting?

A. It went pretty well. In the short time I was here things went a little bit more smoothly than I expected. It was a bit of a scramble in the last six weeks for me. I have never been traded before. That was a bit of a different experience but it was fun. It was fun to play.

They told me to work on the compete-level and the penalty kill. And winning battles along the walls. It was pretty positive. They told me to watch the NHL playoffs and see how guys do …

Continue reading Five Questions With … Ben Maxwell »

Below is the story from yesterday’s AJC on the Thrashers ownership situation. There is nothing different than the story that appeared online and in print, I just wanted you give you a place to comment.

So have at it. Our team will continue reporting this story and will update any developments.

A day after the future of the NHL franchise in Phoenix was decided, the fate of the one in Atlanta remained uncertain, with a spokesman for Mayor Kasim Reed acknowledging the Thrashers “may leave” the city.

Thrashers and NHL officials were not saying much Wednesday, following the vote late Tuesday night by the Glendale, Ariz., city council to pay the league $25 million to keep the Phoenix Coyotes in Arizona for another season. The Coyotes had been targeted by a Winnipeg group interested in purchasing the franchise and moving it to Manitoba. With the Coyotes staying put, the Winnipeg group likely will turn its sole focus to the Thrashers.

Reese McCranie, spokesman for Reed, said …

Continue reading Chance to comment on latest in Thrashers ownership situation »