Atlanta Spirit, LLC slaps Thrashers fans in the face again
Ya know…it is seriously tough being a Thrashers fan. I mean, here we are celebrating the great news that Dustin Byfuglien has just signed a contract extension to remain with the team for five additional years and then…this info-bomb.
Seriously, couldn’t the Spirit Clowns at least have given us a full 24 hours before dropping this on us?
I guess the mighty revelation last month that he and his fellow partners had lied to us for years wasn’t enough of a slap to our collective faces, eh?
Like so many of you out there, what really frustrates me to no end is that the fans here in Atlanta are not to blame. Contrary to popular belief outside of Thrasherville, Atlanta is home to a great number of die-hard hockey fans and sports fans in general. However, given what this franchise has become since The Great Octocluster purchased them seven years ago…many of those fans have chosen to spend their sports entertainment dollars elsewhere.
So when someone like Michael Gearon makes the comment that whines about fan support and points to where he and his fellow Spiriteers have “put a lot of money in this team”…well, there’s just a lot of us who want to laugh in this guy’s face.
Of course, there are many of you who might use a different word than “laugh”.
What you and your fellow partners have indeed done, Mr. Gearon, has all but destroyed any chance for the NHL to work in this town. It a shame too, because this wasn’t always the case with this team.
Take a look back to the middle part of this decade when the Thrashers…along with the Hawks and Philips Arena…went under the ownership of Spirit Clowns. This was an exciting team to watch, they were on the way up as far as the standings were concerned and home games for the Thrashers was actually an event.
Now…well, the empty seats stand as a testament to just what has been put into this team.
Not surprisingly, this story was released as the team was winging its way westward for a three-game, weeklong road trip. Tomorrow night they’ll play in Phoenix…another team that has been targeted for relocation…then it’s up to Edmonton Saturday afternoon before a matchup in Buffalo next Wednesday.
That leaves quite some time for fans to stew before the next home game on Friday the 25th.
I don’t know about you, but I plan on being there, and I plan to be there for three main reasons.
1. I love NHL hockey and I support the Thrashers here in Atlanta.
2. I want as many people there to show any prospective buyer that there is indeed a market for NHL hockey here. A good one, that is, if there was ownership that had an ounce of passion for the sport and a semi-clue as to what it takes to be an owner. And right now, it appears the best hope for the Thrashers is for someone to understand that and step forward to rescue the franchise from this disaster of an ownership group.
3. I will be there to fully vocalize not only my support for the Thrashers as they host the Florida Panthers, but also to let it be known what I think of this cast of clowns that have run our team straight into the ground….and now threaten to move them right out of town.
Where are you going to be?
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
281 comments Add your comment
Call it like it is
February 16th, 2011
1:19 pm
You know what gripes my a** is that all junk the Atlanta fans get from the rest of the nation as being wishy washy, we dont support our teams, yada, yada yada. Well here we go again. We had the Flames, we get the goalie from the olympic team, they sell them. We get the Knights, fun team to watch, CHEAP SEATS, They win the title, they get rid of them, We have the Atlanta Force, fun to watch, cheap seats, they get rid of them. The Hawks, nothing, no title ever. The Falcons, nothing, no title ever, The Braves one 1 billion division titles, 1 Championship since what 1965? Please someone out there please explain to me why as an Atlanta native, I should support any of these guys? The Falcons have promise, but the rest, please. If you dont have a local owner, that has an interest in the team and the city its in, your never going to have anything. Case in point the Thrashers. Support your local college sports and keep your money local, That is all.
ThrashDawg
February 16th, 2011
1:21 pm
You know, I cannot recall a more blatant lack of respect from a professional sports franchise for their fans than these clowns! I thought about the Florida Marlins… but hell they won championships before tearing the team down. These guys are the worst that I can think of in the history of pro sports!
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
1:22 pm
I think Adam has posted a legitimate idea! I’d even go down and buy a ticket to show the potential…if a complete boycott occurred the very next game (as a contrast to how so many feel).
That is a great idea. Unfortunately, there are too many sheep about who won’t follow through and abstain on the “boycott” game….
Pity that. It’s an idea which would have the desired effect (national coverage; proof of this market’s viability; etc.)
Tall
February 16th, 2011
1:23 pm
To Call it like it is: You’re right. If the fans would go on strike for just two years, the entire professional sports industry would be on it’s knees. However, half of the guys I know would have very little to talk about.
timthebrave
February 16th, 2011
1:24 pm
Atlanta Spirit Group business motto:
1. Buy a team you don’t want
2. Spend as little money as possible to keep it “alive”
3. Accidently have a small amount of success and sell off
4. Lie to customers every year
5. Blame customers for having to sell
How did these a**holes ever get money anyhow? I can’t imagine them running a successful business
Red Light
February 16th, 2011
1:24 pm
JF: Local investors or local buyer is just more lip service. They would have sold to a Tibetan monk if they got a decent offer. The Blackberry genius has been wanting an NHL team for years, but wants it in Hamilton, but neither the Leafs or Sabres have allowed that to even be considered. So, if it’s not him, then who else? Quebec City, Winnipeg, KC, Seattle, Portland and Las Vegas still need viable ownership groups. Show me them and then I’ll be concerned!
Matt from MN
February 16th, 2011
1:25 pm
Burn in hell, ASG.
Lawsuit
February 16th, 2011
1:26 pm
Maybe the owners will win their $200 million lawsuit against King & Spalding and give them enough millions for a few years to keep them happy. Hopefully, they have good attorneys to win this suit!
ASG
February 16th, 2011
1:26 pm
Don Waddell was and is not the problem. We the ASG are the problem. We didn’t let Don spend any money, hamstrung anything he wanted to do, and tried to stick it to the fans.
DON WADDELL IS NOT TO BLAME
We are tired of hearing the same rant from Sage of Dorkland/pessimismland/loserville. It kills this blog.
Jerry Landfill
February 16th, 2011
1:26 pm
Don’t let the door hit ya…………………………
Tall
February 16th, 2011
1:30 pm
Red:
They’ll lose money in those towns, too. If the Thrashers do leave, maybe the Islanders will relocate to Phillips.
Rawhide
February 16th, 2011
1:31 pm
I understand Michael Gearon will be on 680 The Fan with John Kincade at 4:00. This should be interesting.
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!
Smoothie
February 16th, 2011
1:33 pm
“If the Thrashers were to be sold and moved, the Atlanta Spirit would lose a pro-rated portion of the $10 million annual naming rights fee to Philips Arena as the team would no longer occupy the arena.”
Why in the heck would they only lose a pro-rated portion? If the team doesn’t occupy the arena, should the funds not stop immediately? Why would Royal Philips ever agree to pay a pro-rated portion without both teams? I guess they’re even more stupid than the ASG for buying in to this cluster@$%!
Need to know
February 16th, 2011
1:34 pm
Rawhide:
Which costume will Kincade put on for the interview?
Journalist? Thrashers Cheerleader? Fan? ASG Employee?
PopeyeTheSailorMang
February 16th, 2011
1:35 pm
It’s over.
Sherry Taylor
February 16th, 2011
1:38 pm
I agree with Mooseberg. The AJC staff that covers hockey on a regular basis knows how the hard core fans feel, heck even the sometime fans feel about the same way. It would be nice to have the AJC at least take the fans feelings to the community and let them know we are going down fighting and then the community can compare the whines and lack of action on the owners part to the desire for hockey of the fans.
I was not aware that it was a foregone conclusion that a deal was imminent. I guess I’ve missed something on the blogs.
Let me just say this to Micheal ‘I’m smarter than you dweebs who shown up at the games’ Gearon and Bruce Levenson, you don’t deserve the loyalty that hockey fans have shown this team. We’re still here because we love the sport and this team, not because we are morons and love the whole long-suffering thing. We have watched as you DIDN’T spend money on this team, a trade or two here and there isn’t spending money it is biding your time. Keeping Don Waddell, while a very nice man, around because he puts up with your lack of commitment is irresponsible and bad business sense. Almost every step/move you and your band of other dwarfs have made has been ill-advised and so wrong that even a novice can see that. You’ve spent 11 years infighting and putting what money you do have toward the Hawks, and what has that gotten you? How many NBA championships has that brought to the arena? Yeah, that’s what I thought. So, Mr. Gearon, you can stop whining about what you think you’ve done and how mean Atlanta sports fans are because we don’t show up and LOOK IN A MIRROR, sir. There you will see the culprit(s) who have sunk this franchise. A team, on any level, is only as good and strong as those at the top are strong.
Maybe we fans are stupid for continuing to shell out money to a group of men who could care less about us. The proof is in the pudding. I saw on the Tampa Bay Lightning web page that with their new jerseys the ownership gave–GAVE–every full season ticket owner a jersey. I got a plastic lanyard this year. Woo Hoo! Yep, you spent some money on those didn’t you. The first year of the franchise, we got a fleece pullover (which I still have and wear to almost every game). This year, I got a plastic lanyard. WooHoo! And, stabbed in the back.
Tom Lysiak
February 16th, 2011
1:41 pm
You might want to organize a “spelling society” in your spare time….
David Stern
February 16th, 2011
1:41 pm
Hands down the worst ownership group in pro sports. have you ever ONCE seen anyone out fornt in the community with this organization? NO. If you want to find them look half court at half time..thats them standing on the court so everyone will see them. Ted is probably shaking his head in amazement at how utterly stupid this group is.
This team is gone. This is simply an attempt at spin control by a shallow businessman trying to CYA. Welcome to the Big Leagues Micheal. You made all that money in the dark by back dating options and now your folly is taking it all back. Guess its true that what goes around comes around.
Oh well you still have King and Spalding to sue for the next 5 years..good luck on that one.
Also dont be surprised when the Hawks are sold next. All within 45 days.
Bluestreak
February 16th, 2011
1:43 pm
I don’t know who said phone up David McDavid, but its a shot…
I hope Ol’ Kin-Cade give Gearon as uncomfortable an interview as possible. No softballs.
Always Hoping
February 16th, 2011
1:45 pm
Me…..I’ll be there the 25th stalking J-Bird while he plays his silly games during time outs. I’ll get as close to that microphone as possible and let the world know how we feel about the ASG.
No disrespect to J-Bird……but buddy watch out on the 25th!!!!
Bluestreak
February 16th, 2011
1:46 pm
We should have known when they wanted nothing to do with the Flames that still lived around town that they were up to no good. Easy outreach to the community, and you turn it down.
I hope the ones in ASG that live here move and the ones that travel here never come back. Ted should take Rutherford out back and whip his tail. From a great owner to a joke.
R. Stroz
February 16th, 2011
1:46 pm
Well, lets hope Kincade actually does a real interview instead of continuing to be the ASG’s mouthpiece.
Kincade, it’s name to stop being the ASG’s paid whore and lay into Gearon and company for what they have done.
I wouldn’t piss on any of the ASG owners if they were on fire.
Smoothie
February 16th, 2011
1:46 pm
“Not another dollar should go into their undeserving pocket. Maybe Don Waddell and his stench will finally be gone from this city? Only about 10 years too late on that score…”
So it becomes quite clear now that this clown, who spews his condescending vitriol on hockey fans on a blog (ON A BLOG!) has not motive other than settling a score with one man. He would rather see Don Waddell “get his” than see hockey thrive in Atlanta. Why anyone would agree with anything he writes is an obvious “sheep” in his misdirected and oblivious herd. Lunacy from a bitter shepherd of misguided hatred and anger.
Wayne stuck in AL
February 16th, 2011
1:47 pm
For all of you thinking Arthur Blank is going to ride in on a white horse and save this franchise, lemme paraphrase Rick Pitino: Arthur Blank ain’t walkin’ thru that door.
Don Waddell
February 16th, 2011
1:48 pm
ARTHUR BLANK – ARTHUR BLANK – ARTHUR BLANK – ARTHUR BLANK
Orien Watson
February 16th, 2011
1:50 pm
to answer Timthebrave
How did these a**holes ever get money anyhow? I can’t imagine them running a successful business
The title “More sneaky options schemes” decribes where the Gearons got their money ..check it out….http://tinyurl.com/6dguzjz
OLARA
February 16th, 2011
1:50 pm
REALLY…They are asking for investors after all the in-fighting and mis-management. I wouldn’t want to invest my millions w/ this circus. We need someone to buy the team and charge A.s. to keep them in the arena so the fans can truely support the team and not the dumb a.s.
Adam
February 16th, 2011
1:53 pm
Listen Smoothie, and everyone else that bashes him, you would have listened Sage five years ago and stopped buying tickets there is a very likely chance the Octocluster would’ve gone bankrupt because they wouldn’t have been able to sell the team due to litigation. Not to mention this bankruptcy would have taken place before Phoenix and the league would be helping us while the Coyote’s would be on their way up north now, not us.
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
1:54 pm
Kincade is a joke, for those hoping it’s a tough interview….He’s as big a sheep as Daren Eliot…Organization mouth-pieces, folks.
Main Street Magic
February 16th, 2011
1:56 pm
I don’t have much to say here since I’ve vented in other blogs about this, considering that I agree with most posters, especially Abigail! I won’t give the owners any of my money until they put a competitive team on the ice and charge reasonable prices to go.
Disenchanted
February 16th, 2011
1:57 pm
Nobody in their right mind wants to be partners with these slimeballs…….Except maybe Arthur who has such a tremendous ego that he needs constantly stroked. He is a bigger sleaze than the ASG, he just has more money and sits on the board of Cox so he gets no negative press.
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
1:58 pm
Adam brings up yet another good point: We are ‘too late’, in a way!
If the only way to bring about change from the league office is a bankruptcy (or a criminal conviction), then the subsidization of the incompetence has done nothing but delay the inevitable!
How ironic!
(It must suck to be some who have been snowed for so long, finally wake up and realize a few basic economic/business principles? Poor Smoothie…and this honorary call-out goes to GaVa, Ranallo, Sawa, and Alan…Where is your “wisdom” when we need it most?!)
ZAvalanche
February 16th, 2011
1:59 pm
OK, I’m not in the finance field – just an engineer. Is there any way of possibly making Thrashers public owned in some fashion? Don’t call me an idiot, just throwing out a desperate idea for desperate times. Wish I could listen to Gaeron today on the radio, do they stream?
While I live in CO currently, will soon be moving and ATL was choice #1, but if there isn’t a hockey team there I very well may change my mind in favor of a city with a hockey market. Gotta have priorities.
As some posters have said: I was very pleased with the signing yesterday but was wondering if Buffy was truly excited to be here or just towing the company line. And how much did he and his agent know of the extreme possibility of relocation?
AS LLC, the formula is fairly simple a##holes, buy a good team, fans come you make more money. A few days ago I posted Team salaries against relative record. The numbers don’t lie. My freaking dog can figure this out and she is about as smart as a bag of wet leather. Did any of these a$$masters take Econ 101? Wait, they were too busy “pledging” to attend class I guess.
Does Winnipeg or Hamilton even have the infrastructure to handle an NHL team? This is a damn shame and I am pissed as hell.
Texan
February 16th, 2011
1:59 pm
@Red Light
Winnipeg has a viable ownership group – True North Sports and Entertainment. Its owned by Mark Chipman who has run the AHL team for the past 15 years and backed by David Thomson who is the 12 richest man in the world. They own the arena and control all revenue streams. Right now they are finishing up a multi-million dollar renovation to expand the press box, add camera postions and upgrade everything to HD – All things you would need for an NHL team.
Last year they came within 15 minutes of getting the Coyotes before the NHL was able to blackmail 25 million form the city of Glendale. As of right now Winnipeg is the only place that could take an NHL franchise tomorrow.
So if I were you I’d be concerned.
hotrod
February 16th, 2011
2:00 pm
Well at least the cards are on the table.
Good opportunity for some investors to own hockey in a town
where the weather is great. I have no doubt in my mind that
Phillips would be filled if they would win a little more.
Don’t get me wrong, they are having a decent year compared to the
previous seasons, just need a little more consistancy.
Flames
February 16th, 2011
2:00 pm
I truly believe that the Thrashers are not going anywhere! There will be a man on a white horse.
Smoothie
February 16th, 2011
2:01 pm
Who’s up for a class action lawsuit that sues ASG, LLC for negligence and malicious intent to deceive customers? I reckon King and Spalding might have an attorney or two interested in helping out all the disgruntled and cheated season ticket holders? Pie in the sky? What else do we have? History is about to repeat itself.
Iron League 13
February 16th, 2011
2:02 pm
Rawhide, thanks for the tip. I’ll be listening, however something tells me I’m gonna hear a softball tossing host and an owner with zero integrtity pussyfooting around.
R. Stroz
February 16th, 2011
2:02 pm
Kincade has been the ASGs whore for years.
Do you expect a real interview?
ErnstStarvoBlofield
February 16th, 2011
2:04 pm
There is a deal on the table to Spirit that will happen once the PHX mess is finalized. PHX should take about 2 more weeks. This statement is not a shot over the bow, this is the Flare saying “Mayday, may the next ship pick us up”. I am a Thrash fan but by what I know and talked to well placed insiders at the All Star Game in Raleigh, this is a done deal and just waiting for PHX Coyotes mess to finalized.
SomaAtl95
February 16th, 2011
2:04 pm
A$G – Giving Atlanta a bad name since the 2000’s. If our worst nightmare comes and we lose hockey again I hope like hell that they are relocated to Alabama or Mississippi or Louisiana – just to upset Canada. They seem to think Atlanta is nothing but rednecks, they have NO IDEA because 99% of them have not and will not set foot in Atlanta.
Another possible front we can fight – and its cheesy but if done right could help with exposure – do something like a Youtube video, all of us fans saying 3 words, Not “Unleash the Fury” but “SAVE THE THRASHERS” We could get well known Atlanta personalities to say it. Clips could be recorded at the games, practice and around town.
Again, its cheesy but may be something that helps… and we can end the video with “MR. COMMISSIONER: SAVE THE THRASHERS FROM THE A$G, PLEASE”
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
2:06 pm
“…What else do we have?…”
Boycott. Complete boycott. Crippling boycott.
Have some self-respect and stop adding to their (already) “red” bottom-line. Most importantly, try and gain some self-respect before you blather even further than you already have…
Too bad it’s too little, too late…If only, huh?
(Now where is that spweadsheet when we need it…These are desperate times, after all…)
Player to be named later
February 16th, 2011
2:10 pm
Waddell is part of the problem-he controls our relationship to the farm team, the players selected at the draft and all trades for the first 10 years of the franchise. There’s alot of GMs in sports that field competitive teams with difficult ownership situations and limited budgets. Ownership did not select Bourret or trade for Zhitnik.
fes
February 16th, 2011
2:13 pm
Let’s do it Green Bay Packers style. Let the people own the team. At least then, you have owners that care.
brett
February 16th, 2011
2:14 pm
wish there was a way to show arthur blank how dedicated most of us are…not that i think it would have a huge effect but yea….i wonder if he is up to date on the status of the thrashers or not? guarantee there would be close to sellouts every night if he took over..definitely a long shot but one can dream right?
brett
February 16th, 2011
2:24 pm
has anyone seen this or am i out of the loop?
http://arthurblankbuythethrashers.com/
Smoothie
February 16th, 2011
2:26 pm
If they were in such dire shape, why did they agree to pay $120 M to Joe Johnson? Why do they keep paying a washed-up Mike Bibby $15 M / year? A “boycott” would have made no difference and we’d still be in the same position you’re in. Do you really think the casual fan buys tkts after weighing all of this garbage in their purchasing decision? A lot of folks buy based on perceived entertainment value and because they like to see a winner. I doubt anything more than a serious erosion of corporate revenues and suite sales would have accelerated this outcome any further. That probably didn’t happen until the recession rocked them hard in late 2008 and 2009. Don’t delude yourselves. Oh wait, you can’t help it.
kracker
February 16th, 2011
2:27 pm
Alan R. – Perhaps you can find someone on the south side with a car you can split expenses with.
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
2:33 pm
At least you’d gain your self-respect back, Smoothie…But, then again, maybe yours is too far gone?
Shame that is.
Oh well….You can’t say I didn’t warn/tell you….Some just can’t be reasoned with; they get too emotional and lose everything in the process…