Thrashers fans want answers from team owners
If you take a look outside, you’ll see the sun shining and the sky a brilliant shade of blue. We here in north Georgia and in other areas of the south are enjoying some very fine weather, even though it’s just a tease of what awaits us this spring.
However, there is also a dark, menacing cloud that remains camped above Thrasherville. It’s been there since the turn of the New Years and has cast a shadow of misery over hockey fans throughout the city.
Obviously, some of this stems from the current slide that the Thrashers have been on for the better part of a month and a half now…one that has seen them play to a 6-12-5 record since the 20th of December last year. However, Thrashers fans are quite used to the feeling that normally accompanies watching the team fall off the edge of the playoff table ‘round about this time of year. It’s almost a routine in these parts…a time honored ritual that serves as a rite of passage. You can’t really be a Thrashers fan, it seems, unless you’ve suffered through this kind of slump come mid-to-late winter.
But this particular cloud is much darker than those in years past. This one brings with it an additional spirit of gloom and despair that even the most longsuffering and emotionally scarred Thrashers fan is accustomed.
Almost since the day the A.S., LLC purchased this franchise, dark clouds began to hover over Thrasherville: L-R Steven Belkin, Todd Foreman, Ed Peskowitz, J. Rutherford Seydel,II, J Micheal Gearon, Sr., Bruce Levenson, Michael Gearon, Jr., Dominique Wilkins and Bernie Mullin. March 31, 2004 (AJC staff photo)
This year’s cloud that blankets the sky comes with the recent revelation that those who own the team, the group that make up the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, have for some time been trying to sell off the Thrashers. This particular piece of 411 came in the form of yet another lawsuit entered into by the Spirit Boys and contradicts the countless denials put forth by Bruce Levenson, the Spirit Boys and their mouthpiece Don Waddell.
Now for most of us, this little info-bomb dropped on Thrasherville a few weeks back came less as a surprise and more of an insult. For six years we’ve suspected that this bunch have looked upon the Thrashers as their unwanted stepchild and were less-than-caring for their well-being. But to have our suspicions confirmed in such a cold, callus fashion…reading for ourselves the legal filings that stated how they wished to “dispose” of the team…came as yet another slap to the face for the paying customers.
Here’s the latest, as reported by AJC Thrashers beat writer Chris Vivlamore:
“Atlanta Spirit co-owner Michael Gearon said there is now a “sense of urgency” to find additional investors or a buyer willing to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta. If the ownership group does not get additional financial help in the near future the franchise could be sold and moved to another city.”
(Update: AJC sports blogger Mark Bradley just filed his reaction to the story.)
I guess this is just another thing we are supposed to “deal with”, eh Bruce?
As stated above, fans in Thrasherville are also “dealing with” this team making its annual March From The Playoffs. Even though this team has shown a certain degree of improvement this season, they are clearly in need of some help if they’re to make a serious run. Help that comes by way of a trade to shore up the roster.
Unfortunately, these same fans also understand that any such deal may increase payroll over the last several weeks of the season. And given how the franchise has conducted its business, right at the league minimum for the last few years, it’s understandable why many doubt ownership would authorize any such increase in spending.
Also, this is the time of year that season ticket holders are beginning to receive their invitations to renew once again. While I’m certain that each and everyone of them are tickled pink blue that they’ve once again been considered worthy of such an invite, I’m confident that more than a handful of them are considering whether or not this team is still a viable choice for their entertainment dollar.
Oh, it’s not that the hockey market here is not what some had thought it’d be a decade and a half ago when the league returned to this area…quite the contrary, in fact. Atlanta is home to a great number of hard-core hockey fans that love the sport and enjoy it live and in person. But the fans here are now “dealing with” the fact that the same people who have lied to their faces are now sticking their hands out and asking for more of their money.
That’s putting the nice folks in the ticket office at quite a disadvantage, if you ask me.
In light of this…and I’ll speak directly to Mr. Levenson…you and/or any other member of the AS, LLC need to join forces with Waddell and hold one of the other time-honored traditions in Thrasherville, the always much-anticipated, highly entertaining, informative and spirited Town Hall Meeting.
This needs to be done and done soon, because quite frankly Brucie… you got some ‘splainin’ to do.
Yes, Levenson and the boys owe these fans an explanation…an accounting of just what they intend for the team that they love and support so much.
Bruce Levenson, right, owes Thrashers fans an explanation. He should do so face to face and not via a carefully crafted corporate memo (Curtis Compton)
In that meeting, Bruce…or whichever one of the Spiriteers possess the wherewithal to do so…should look these people square in the eye and explain why they have repeatedly misled them about their intention to “dispose” of this team. After all, it’s one thing to lie to a person…multiple times…but it’s quite another to insult their intelligence by remaining silent as if no one ever noticed.
Also, Bruce needs to outline to those assembled whether or not he thinks additional help is needed to seriously make a postseason drive…or whether or not he feels the roster is good enough to do the job in it’s current condition.
That is, of course, if he actually cares enough to formulate any such opinion.
Oh sure, sure. To do this right now would place Bruce in quite an uncomfortable spot as he would undoubtedly have to endure the verbal slings and arrows that would be lobbed his way. I’m sure even he understands that there are some mighty peeved residents of Thrasherville. But an owner with any ounce of integrity…any sense of honor and decency…any shred of common courtesy for those forking over good money on tickets…would do so given the circumstances.
Meeting face to face with Thrashers fans is the one and only way he and the Spirit Boys can even come close to regaining any of the credibility needed to once more ask these fine people to pony up the funds required to remain members in good standing of the Thrashers Season Ticket Holders Club. And that’s a club which, as a direct result of the current ownership group’s influence, is becoming more and more exclusive by the day.
Certainly no one expects any of them to delve in depth as to the issues surrounding this current round of legal action. Everyone understands that when a case is pending it’s wise for all parties to say as little as possible. But what the good people of Thrasherville should expect is a certain level of intestinal and testicular fortitude to be shown by their team’s ownership group…especially in regards to their commitment level to the team they continue asking you to commit money towards.
To date, such fortitude has been sorely lacking. But now would be as good a time as any for these guys to start showing some.
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295 comments Add your comment
Ebenezer Scrooge
February 15th, 2011
3:02 pm
Stiff upper lip, Mr. Levenson! Ignore the pathetic whines of the bill-paying riff-raff! If I could work my will every idiot who goes about with ‘Go Thrashers’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a blue vuvuzela through his heart.
Smoothie
February 15th, 2011
3:10 pm
Great, we can put Nikki Z on a line with Bergy and Pevs and watch them ice-skate their way to a -15 in 20 games.
DWTOO
February 15th, 2011
3:24 pm
Smoothie – Will they wear figure skates? Skating with the Stars?
Russian
February 15th, 2011
3:29 pm
**to Smoothie**
“we can put Nikki Z on a line with Bergy and Pevs”
It will be better line than Bolt-Pever-Thorburn. I like to see it, but I heard that Capitals will take him as soon as he come to vaiwer.
Blueland Buddha
February 15th, 2011
3:31 pm
Keep the voices loud, Thrasherville! Let’s get the media calling for words from Levenson/Waddell as well. Eventually, the pressure will mount and they will have to say SOMETHING…ANYTHING!
Tom Lysiak
February 15th, 2011
3:32 pm
Badger Bob – thanks! I guess I was saying that they are more screwed than the fans are if they didn’t do their due diligence.
Also, I guess I need to proofread or learn how to spell “desperate” next time….
Smoothie
February 15th, 2011
3:44 pm
Russian – at least we might be able to lose games 5 to 4 instead of 3 to 2 if we had Zherdev, Pevs and Bergy figure skating on a line together. Might not be a bad 2nd line if we had a better defense!
R. Stroz
February 15th, 2011
3:45 pm
I’d take Zherdev in a second. Yes, Zherdev is soft but he can FINISH.
Russian – The Thrashers would have to pass on the opportunity to get Zherdev before the Caps could lay claim to him.
Alan R.
February 15th, 2011
3:46 pm
Russian – Since we sit below Washington in the standings, we’ll have first shot at him.
Not to say we’ll take him, just saying we can before Washington does.
R. Stroz
February 15th, 2011
3:47 pm
I’d be willing to bet the Devils would grab Zherdev for Kovy before the Thrashers could get him.
ThrasherTim
February 15th, 2011
3:50 pm
No thanks on Zherdev. He is not the kind of player that Duds or Rammer wants. We need to stick with the plan of creating an identity, not adding more guys who don’t want to make the sacrifices.
Alan R.
February 15th, 2011
3:51 pm
Byfuglien re-signed! Woohoo!
fes
February 15th, 2011
3:58 pm
for multiple years too! wow. a rfa voluntarily staying a while.
Thrashers27
February 15th, 2011
4:01 pm
Woohoo!!! Hopefully, Buff goes on a tear now!
Alan R.
February 15th, 2011
4:01 pm
Enter your comments here
Alan R.
February 15th, 2011
4:02 pm
Ack. Didn’t mean to do that.
Anyway, as per Custance:
@CraigCustance Told the Byfuglien deal is for 5-years in the $5 million per year range.
Iron League 13
February 15th, 2011
4:03 pm
Fellow posters, a question…
It’s not that I don’t like reading this blog, posting my own opinions, seeing what other fans have to say or even communicating with you all, but I come on here a few dozen times a day from about mid morning up til the early evening TO SEE IF WE MADE A MOVE. How many of you are this desperate for even the slightest bit of (hopefully) productive office activity?
Blueland Buddha
February 15th, 2011
4:05 pm
The Buff signing is GREAT news- supposedly 5 years! Finally a long term signing! Please ASG, come out and say something about this being a part of the long term plan on building something in Atlanta post-Belkin. I can even help write the press release if you need it.
Joe Friday
February 15th, 2011
4:07 pm
That’s tremendous news. Now they don’t have to kiss his rear anymore and stick him back at forward (I kid!, kind of . . . )
kracker
February 15th, 2011
4:08 pm
Just heard about the Buff deal!! Sweet!!
Red Light
February 15th, 2011
4:09 pm
5 years and $26 million. Nice.
Ebenezer Scrooge
February 15th, 2011
4:13 pm
Bah, humbug! Last time I give you advice, Brucie…
Red Light
February 15th, 2011
4:15 pm
Cap Hit = $5.2 million
Joe Friday
February 15th, 2011
4:17 pm
How bout tomorrow announcing a 5 year $21m deal for Ladd?
Mr. Heat Miser
February 15th, 2011
4:20 pm
As much as I would love to be at a Town Hall with the ‘tards in charge, they would just spin and lie again. And besides I’d probably get kicked out anyways……..
FormerIslesFan
February 15th, 2011
4:23 pm
Red Light: Although the Thrashers’ FB page has announced the multi-year extension, I can’t find a source for the length/amount. Can you point me somewhere??
glovesave29
February 15th, 2011
4:24 pm
Mr. Lysiak – pro athletes are proud people. I am sure Duds thought he could succeed where everyone else failed. You can study up all you want on a prospective employer, but there are certain conclusions that can only be come to by being on the inside for a while. I hope I am wrong – I think we finally have good people in Hockey Ops, but I just keep getting that gnawing feeling in my gut.
Good news on Buff. Now lets make the playoffs and let him spend the summer recruiting others to come here.
Commish Bettman
February 15th, 2011
4:26 pm
I don’t have time to deal with this. I ‘m too busy taking care of Crosby’s concussion
Associated Press Reporting
February 15th, 2011
4:26 pm
HELL HAS FROZEN OVER.
Zoomo
February 15th, 2011
4:27 pm
Gotta say that I’m somewhat shocked this got done givent the state of affairs. Good on Duds.
Red Light
February 15th, 2011
4:27 pm
Got this from multiple sources via Twitter… @ajcthrashers, @TSNMcKenzie, etc.
Smoothie
February 15th, 2011
4:28 pm
Well, Dudley choked $26 M out of these tight-fisted misers so I guess he thinks he can make this work afterall. Now if we could just get some re-assurance from Bettman, as well as the ownership, so we can shut Sage up for good. Speaking of which, what do you think of this news? Or will you hide in your basement and call Dustin Byfuglien a mindless sheep who doesn’t realize Atlanta is a lost cause as a hockey market?
Red Light
February 15th, 2011
4:29 pm
This market has more going for it than any other in the Southeast, and always has had!
1. Upon its inception, the Atlanta Thrashers had several things that no other Southeast-based NHL team had (except for Nashville). They had a ready-to-go, new state-of-the-art arena, for their first-ever game. Carolina played in Greensboro for two seasons, Florida in the Miami Arena for five seasons, and the Lightning in Expo Hall for one and the Suncoast Dome for three seasons.
2. Atlanta had the highest first-year attendance (17,206) of all five Southeast teams. Upon return from the lockout, their attendance was behind the Lightning, who had won the Cup prior to the lockout, and an average of only 46 fans per game fewer than that year’s Cup champs, the Hurricanes.
3. Atlanta had two No. 1 overall picks, two No. 2 overall picks and the No. 8 in their first five draft years. Tampa and Florida had the No. 1 overall pick just once in their first five drafts, but neither Nashville nor Carolina had a No. 1 overall pick.
4. Except for a goalie, the Thrashers Patrik Stefan played the fewest number of NHL games (455) of any former No. 1 overall pick in the draft since the Bruins selected Gord Kluzak (299 games) in the 1982 draft.
5. Florida hasn’t made the playoffs since Atlanta’s first year in the league, yet they outdrew the Thrashers in seven of 11 of those seasons.
6. Tampa Bay has had eight head coaches, seven general managers and five owners. Florida has had 10 head coaches, nine general managers and three owners.
7. Since 1999-2000, only the Hurricanes and Lightning have won at least one playoff series. Playoff series records since that season. Nashville: 0-5, Florida and Atlanta 0-1; Tampa Bay 5-3; Carolina: 9-3.
da' boomer
February 15th, 2011
4:35 pm
http://thrashers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=552839&navid=DL|ATL|home
big buff for the long haul…good sign
everyone off the ledges
Don Waddie
February 15th, 2011
4:39 pm
Why waste your time/$$ on these worthless idiots.
Go to the Gladiators, they want your $$.
Red Light
February 15th, 2011
4:39 pm
Kevin Allen and others report that Big Buff’s salary escalates during the term: $4.25 million, $4.25 million, $5.75 million, $5.75 million and $6 million.
Tom
February 15th, 2011
4:40 pm
via Kevin Allen on Twitter: Byfuglien’s yearly salaries under his new deal in Atlanta: $4.25 million, $4.25 million, $5.75 million $5.75 million and $6 million
World Be Free
February 15th, 2011
4:41 pm
Red Light-it should also be noted that Gord Kluzak’s career was cut short by knee injuries. Gordie would hacve played for 20 years if it were not for the knees.
Red Light
February 15th, 2011
4:47 pm
Duly noted World Be Free.
SomaAtl95
February 15th, 2011
4:48 pm
A Long term signing by the A$G? Getting Buff makes a lot of ¢ents for this team. Hopefully the revolving door of RFA’s was just shut for a while.
But with Atlanta, anythings possible.
Sage of Bluesland
February 15th, 2011
4:52 pm
“…Speaking of which, what do you think of this news? Or will you hide in your basement and call Dustin Byfuglien a mindless sheep who doesn’t realize Atlanta is a lost cause as a hockey market?”
Since you asked so “professionally”, I will respond. Why can’t I get all that excited over it? Is Buff all ‘that’? Has he made that big of a difference so far this year?
It’s going to take more than a single long-term contract with an above-average player (if that) to convince me this is a new day in Thrashersland.
Wait a minute, are YOU of the belief that this was the long-awaited sign that the ownership group will now set ‘winning the Cup’ and doing whatever it takes to as its goal?
(Please don’t tell me you’re that naive….I won’t hold my breath on that one, so don’t worry…)
I don’t think anyone else out there would pay that much for big buff to begin with…Color-me-as-still-ever-cautious-and-highly-skeptical…
Associated Press Reporting
February 15th, 2011
4:53 pm
Numerous sources are reporting individuals thoughout the Atlanta area wearing swirly bird clothing have fallen to the ground speechless.
Stan Drulia
February 15th, 2011
4:58 pm
Cliff Fletcher everybody…. always an insightfull thought.
Iron League 13
February 15th, 2011
5:01 pm
That’s swell news. Let’s hope Ladd does the same as there may not be any urgency to replace him if he doesn’t.
Smoothie
February 15th, 2011
5:03 pm
“Has he made that big of a difference so far this year?”
Yeah, one goal shy of the NHL record for GWG for a defenseman is not really much of an impact. Why would anyone pay close to market value for a blueline capable of scoring 20+ goals?
“I don’t think anyone else out there would pay that much for big buff to begin with…Color-me-as-still-ever-cautious-and-highly-skeptical”
Do you honestly believe that other GM’s wouldn’t jump at the chance to have him for $5 M / year? Cuz scoring blueliners are a dime a dozen. This makes the Brian Campbell deal look quite sensible.
And you think we’re naive and ignorant. Okay, keep up your charade and I’ll keep laughing at you behind your back with the fine Thrashers fans I’ve come to know from this blog and otherwise.
Zombie Steve
February 15th, 2011
5:06 pm
Now I can buy a Buff sweater.
Concerning the Octodouches- I don’t want them to say anything. I want them to leave and never come back.
Spud Webb
February 15th, 2011
5:10 pm
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Hell yea! Buff is here for a while! NICE.
Interesting reads today for sure. I’m interested to see IF the dwarf bettman does a d&mn thing about our situation???
Sterling, Stapelton, we’ve seen a hundreds (maybe 20) guys like these come through our system, enough, a body is all they are. Tired of crap like that. Retreads, I’m sure, SUPER nice guys, but I couldn’t care less about their disposition off the ice.
Sherry Taylor
February 15th, 2011
5:13 pm
Great article, Rawhide. Might I add my two cents to Brucie—-If you want my money, THE SHOW ME SOME RESPECT!
Rawhide you said if they had any integrity, honor, decency or courtesy they/Bruce would meet with the season ticket holders, at least. I don’t believe any of those words can now or were ever used to described this set of owners. Honestly, I spent quite a few years around professional sports and it isn’t hard to spot an owner/s who cares about not only their investment, but the fans. Most owners realize that the people who shell out the bigger bucks for season tickets are their bread and butter and should be treated with respect and not lied to, because if those ticket holders don’t put their butts in the seats, there is no team, there is no franchise, there is no income. All, sadly, in Atlanta are in sparse demand, but this group of owners have no one to blame but themselves. They have, as my grandmother used to say, ‘cut their nose off to spite their face’ and unfortunately, they have taken not only themselves, but the fans, the community, and players down the tubes with them. They owe it to the team/players and the fans, and the city, not to mention the hockey community, to GROW A PAIR/S and DO THE RIGHT THING. Now, I’m not sure they can do either. Only time will tell. I can only believe that Ted Turner’s son and son-in-law are sources of great humiliation and confusion. They obviously didn’t learn at thing at dear old Dad’s knee.
Big Daddy (formerly waffleboy)
February 15th, 2011
5:15 pm
SOB – Nobody would pay Buff 5 for 5? Seriously?
Huge deal for this organization, but not the only one that need to be made. Signing Ladd long-term would be great and a positive for the whole franchise. Dudley has a plan and he’s working it. Let’s see what kinds of deals he pulls before the deadline. Potsma and Kulda were called up for a reason, right?
Tom
February 15th, 2011
5:25 pm
OMG – Rumors coming out of ASG headquarters are saying that 2 of the owners are suing the other 5 for signing Buff to his new contract. News at 11…