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
Tom Lysiak
February 16th, 2011
11:27 am
Sage, nobody really cares what you’d rather have.
Jason
February 16th, 2011
11:28 am
Might I suggest the owners take around $1 million and buy a bunch of Powerball and Mega Millions tickets when it gets around $175 million? Maybe they could afford the team then….
glovesave29
February 16th, 2011
11:30 am
Beat me to the punch Smoothie. That was the MOST moronic post I have EVER seen. Exactly WHERE did anyone post that comment? Whatta windbag.
Somewhere, the owners of the Gladiators are calling their accountants to prepare for a substantial increase in the value of the team.
Iron League 13
February 16th, 2011
11:30 am
C’mon Mr. Rawhide, can’t wait to read your blog and for a proper forum for this discussion.
philalamo
February 16th, 2011
11:30 am
Please don’t talk about Thrashers ownership or the possibility of the team relocating or else BTN (Behind the Net) will take his toys and go home – and whine loudly while doing it.
Eileen
February 16th, 2011
11:31 am
We have our answer. At this point, Bettman knows the reality of the situation. Let’s see what happens.
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
11:31 am
Uh, Smoothie, you may want to blame Billy Knight for the oversight of Chris Paul (who had character-concerns coming out which is conveniently forgotten, of course)….Do you have any credibility at all? Please do us all a favor and get some facts straight, just for once…
WHO CARES
February 16th, 2011
11:32 am
`
Move to Canada and take the Thrashers and Hawks with you.
.
.
.
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .Football Is King
Iron League 13
February 16th, 2011
11:32 am
Note: The ’show all’ comments icon is a time machine.
Why do I have to post something to get where I should be?
Iron League 13
February 16th, 2011
11:34 am
WHO CARES – _nlm <-right there bud Now go watch big burly men in shiny tights slap each others butts and talk tough. You ironic tragedy.
BG33Brown
February 16th, 2011
11:37 am
WHO CARES, why does there only have to be one sport? I played divison 1 college football. You don’t have to “vote” for one or the other. Its not an election and your not running for homecoming queen. WAKE UP-having a lot of sports teams is good for the city and its residents.
Iron League 13
February 16th, 2011
11:37 am
WHO CARES – Suggestion: make Hooked on Phonics “King”
fes
February 16th, 2011
11:37 am
Can these morons really be so shortsighted that they’ve forgotten that Philips was packed to the rafters for our lone two playoff games???
Put a good product on the ice and the rest will fall into place. Welcome to Business 101.
Iron League 13
February 16th, 2011
11:38 am
BG33- I support your football playing and interest. But, I gotta stick up for hockey too. Don’t take offense.
BG33Brown
February 16th, 2011
11:41 am
IL13-i am a bigger hockey fan now than football fan. It just frusterates me that these idiots from Atlanta want the thrashers to move too. I feel like we have to fight the canadians and our own idiot residents. We are surrounded.
WHO CARES
February 16th, 2011
11:45 am
Bring the Atlanta Flames back.
Iron League 13
February 16th, 2011
11:46 am
Food for thought…
If the Hawks are doing well with attendance and Philips is one of the most heavily booked arenas in N.America (maybe the world). How are the Thrashers doing so bad? They’ve NEVER been at the bottom of the league in average attendance, so what give?
SHELL-GAMES PEOPLE, UNINTERESTED, NON-COMMITTED OWNERS THAT NEVER WANTED THIS RED-HEADED STEP-CHILD OF AN ACQUIRED ASSET!!!
Iron League 13
February 16th, 2011
11:46 am
BG33- agreed in full.
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
11:46 am
Stan Drulia: “Hey Sage, looks like you genius plan just may work… we may lose the NHL forever in our fine city. Hope you are happy.”
Who are the ignorant ones now? Please confess and be an adult about it, for once.
I’ll take the high-road and gladly accept your apology(ies).
jjones
February 16th, 2011
11:51 am
Atlanta is full of WHO CARES. If it’s not football, then Nascar.
“We don’t want any trouble.”
“Oh,… you already in trouble.”
SomaAtl95
February 16th, 2011
11:54 am
Sage – most people will reply that you are being the ignorant one. We hope for new ownership and the team to remain in Atlanta. Wasn’t that what you wanted too? I’m not trying to be disrespectful and I really don’t want to be called any names or treated like I am an idiot – but I always thought you would go back to supporting the Thrashers if new ownership comes along. Now you’re so dissatisfied that you want major league hockey to leave Atlanta for good? Is that correct?
ASG (mis) Management
February 16th, 2011
11:55 am
Please note that Dustin Byfuglien will not be available for comments today on his new contract. He is in Quebec City shopping for a condo. He will be back with the team in time for the loss Thursday night.
World Be Free
February 16th, 2011
11:59 am
I am officially taking a day off from the blog-until we have a hockey subject to talk about.
Today’s news is NOT news and none of us can control the outcome, so let it be.
Iron League 13
February 16th, 2011
11:59 am
Geez…
Smoothie
February 16th, 2011
12:00 pm
Character concerns! Ha, that is hilarious. Because he punched Julius Hodge in the nuts!! You are an imbecile. Hodge was a punk and deserved what he got. And who left Billy Knight in his position too long you pompous jerk? Yeah, same idiots who continue to employ Waddell.
Puckhead
February 16th, 2011
12:04 pm
Scene from Slapshot sums it up for me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QILn1G8zaqc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
12:05 pm
Absolutely not, Soma. While an Atlanta native and, thus, an initial hockey-nuance ignorant person, I purchased numerous ticket plans (of varying scopes) in the first couple of years of the team (and was tutored a native Buffalonian, who loves the sport like no other). It rubbed off on me, in a way.
Sure, I liked the Flames…but was much younger and thus not as interested in them compared to many other things life had to offer….I still love that name, though, as its historical-reference (as well as hockey-sounding) is priceless and so true to the city.
Anyway, I have long directed my ire at Don Waddell–and said that his removal would get me back “on board”. However, my ire has become redirected toward the only person(s) who have the power to remove our lisping, blustering buffoon of a GM/President/Whatever he is.
I have often stated I can live with losses…I completely understand–and support–rebuilding. It happens. It’s cyclical. However, I stopped the subsidization with the continued rebuilding with Don Waddell at the helm.
I always will. Granted, he is just a symptom of the real cause. I (re)learned that, too, after a few years.
This is a wonderful game and it is a shame the support is dwindling–but I completely UNDERSTAND it. The restaurant-analogy is tried-and-true and certainly applies.
In the end, I absolutely refuse to subsidize incompetence. We have been treated to NOTHING BUT incompetence during this organization’s existence.
To make excuses–some of them beyond pathetic–gets my ire equally.
Boom Boom
February 16th, 2011
12:06 pm
The Spirit are a bunch of greedy dishonest crooks.
Rawhide
February 16th, 2011
12:14 pm
OK gang…here’s a blog for you to react to the latest slap in the face by the Atlanta Spirit, LLC.
Joe Friday
February 16th, 2011
12:19 pm
There must be a deal already in place to move them at the end of this year and this is Gearon saying “last chance before they’re going, going gone . . .” Gearon’s comment of not willing to stomach another $20m loss, means just that, they’re losing $20m per year and they must have an offer on the table to move the team to another city at the end of this year.
Just. Damn.
I was very fearful after hearing Bill Daly’s comments last fall, now held in the light of this context, it’s apparent this club is gone and the NHL is not going to stop it. And after looking at the TV numbers for the NHL in this town, who can blame the NHL?
What are the odds the new owners are the ones that directed the new contract for Buf? I’d say 80/20.
What’s the over/under on the date the sale gets announced? I’ll put it at April 11th at 10am.
This all comes down to Don Waddell’s inability to build a club and driving the once solid fan base away.
Just. Damn.
jay
February 16th, 2011
12:22 pm
Didn’t they move to Calgary?
Stan Drulia
February 16th, 2011
12:32 pm
Sage, instead of apologizing to you (for what I have absolutely no idea) I would like to apologize to all readers of this blog for my taking the bait and responding to your border-line-psychotic rantings several times in recent days. You dream is being realized – we are possibly losing hockey in Atlanta. While this brings me almost to tears, I also will have tears of joy in that I will never have to read your insane, senseless and rambling statments… EVER AGAIN!!!! Praise Jeebus!
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
12:58 pm
Joe-Bob-Friday, who is the “jackhole” now?
Jackhole.
(at least the time-duration between your waffling has gotten much shorter…)
vietvet
February 16th, 2011
1:07 pm
We’ve been through all this with the Flames. Face it, the majority of the fans are displaced northeners. The deep south is not a good venue for ice hockey.
JASon
February 16th, 2011
1:09 pm
Seriously who cares what happens to the thrashers. I would much rather spend $18 and go to a gladiators game. Consider:
-no panhandlers
-good service at gwinnett arena
-none of the other crap associated with downtown
Boring sport
February 16th, 2011
1:10 pm
Good riddance! The city has already wasted enough millions on this loser franchise with a bunch of crooks running the team. Get them out of town and back to canada. The whole sport is boring anyway–not enough scoring. The ticket prices and concessions are obscene—the team is run by morons. I hope they leave ASAP!
Smoothie
February 16th, 2011
1:22 pm
Boring Sport – if that happens, then they need to sell the Hawks to new owners in Vancouver as NBA basketball is as boring as it gets.
The Truth
February 16th, 2011
1:30 pm
Yawn…I can’t believe this story is getting any press. Ice hockey in the south doesn’t work. We don’t care about ice hockey down here – that’s a fact. Let this team and this boring game go somewhere else.
ATL Housewife
February 16th, 2011
1:31 pm
Maybe Big Poppa can buy the team and keep it in the ATL? The Blue Crew has to be better than you-know-who!
JMT21
February 16th, 2011
2:44 pm
Full disclosure. I am from Winnipeg. First off, I want to mention that the hockey knowledge for Thrasher fans is head and shoulders above from what you might read in the Arizona papers.
I’d like nothing more than have a team return to Winnipeg but NOT at the expense of fans who would lose their team. I went thru that back in 1996 and wouldn’t wish that experience on my worst enemy.
It’s obvious to me that the team and it’s fans are bearing the blame for what I can only describe as a half-assed ownership group.
I do want to clarify a couple things I noted on these comments. Quebec will not get an NHL team because they have no arena although one is planned for 2015. There is also no ownership group at all.
In Winnipeg, we have an NHL ready arena… a small one by NHL standards but it did receive approval by Bettman. We also have an ownership group consisting of Mark Chipman and David Thomson. Mr. Thomson is the richest man in Canada with a net worth of roughly 20 billion.
Again, I don’t want an NHL team back here at the expense of another city losing their team. I just wanted to clarify a few things regarding the Quebec and Winnipeg situations.
Thank you.
JMT21
Badger Bob
February 16th, 2011
3:10 pm
JMT21, thanks, and please share your well informed ideas with everyone in Winnipeg. Hockey passion is alive and well down here – we just need owners who give half a flip about hockey.
Fan Site - SAVE THE THRASHERS
February 16th, 2011
3:46 pm
We have de-Blanked our website – now that the story has been broken, we are moving to a general plea to Atlanta leaders and fans. How Fans Can Help;
http://www.arthurblankbuythethrashers.com/fans.html
Home Page:
http://www.arthurblankbuythethrashers.com/
CBS is running our story at 5 and 6 today – please support the Thrashers!
Buzzeng
February 16th, 2011
7:36 pm
(posted on Bradley’s blog, too)…
Let’s get real. Who, in their right mind, would invest in a team to join a bunch of proven failures who only seem to be good at one thing – initiating lawsuits against each other and even their lawyers – and lousy at what they are supposed to be doing – winning games. Who in their right mind would join these spirit-deflating owners when they can’t even write a contract with terms they, themselves, can live under during its term? Who in their right mind would want to invest in a team (or even two teams) that the current owners can’t operate without losing so much money?
As I see it, the team only gets sold to a new owner. Hopefully, that new owner is in Atlanta. No one should have to live through losing two NHL teams in their life.
Buzzeng
February 16th, 2011
7:44 pm
…and another thing…
Who in their right mind would think all members of the ASG could even agree on a selling price without suing each other…?
Unicoi
February 16th, 2011
11:04 pm
Who’s WE? You and ya buncha buddies sittin’ aroung dier camp waiting to “bust one” while ya’ll arguing bout how the dawgs defince kaint get it dun dis yare cause mark rick caint get er done?
“We” happen to take pride in our sport and our city. But, I bettin’ if in them surrendering canadiens try to take our futball taem, by god, I’m gone take it to them and give em the what fur.
You are a redneck sports fan personified. No wonder them krazy canada’s are so dumb for watchin a stupid sport like eyes hoky. They don’t have to deal with idiots like you because after all “WE DON’T CARE ABOUT ICE HOCKEY DOWN HERE-THAT’S A FACT”.
Speak for yourself idiot.
BTW- Guess what the oldest sports trophy in North America is? The Stanley Cup. Moron.