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?
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281 comments Add your comment
Smoothie
February 16th, 2011
2:35 pm
Save your ire for Don Waddell, my self-respect is fine.
To be honest, I don’t remember you posting much when we were playoff bound in 2007 (when I started reading this blog) so I really don’t give a rat’s a$$ what you think.
brett
February 16th, 2011
2:41 pm
http://arthurblankbuythethrashers.com/
glad to see 11alive at least put it on the news!
Tom Lysiak
February 16th, 2011
2:50 pm
I’m amazed the obituary is not front page news on TSN already…..
jen
February 16th, 2011
2:53 pm
This whole thing blows big monkey chunks. I love watching NHL hockey live. I love having a home team to root for. I remember being all excited about the sale to a group made up of some locals among others, preferring them to David Mc David, because in my twisted mine, I thought having some local boys (including Beau Turner) would be better then some outsider. I’ll admit to being wrong, I’ll admit to subsidizing the absurdity with random ticket purchases and insane amounts of money spent on beer and merch and food at the Bulb. If ownership had cared the slightest bit, the franchise would have been successful, even if they had to run it on the cheap, as long as the team they fielded was competitive. The first two years of attendance don’t lie, the years the team was competitive don’t lie. There is a hockey fanbase here, they just don’t want to continue to be taken advantage of. I hope Kinkaid grills MG’s punk a$$ for an hour.
All we can do now is hope that Bettman and the league steps in and commits to the city, but given the pressure from Canada and the fact that Canadian revenues are driving the league, I highly doubt he’s in a position to stop this one. especially after fighting for PHX and NAS so hard. IMHO the team to move if they were going to move a team would have been FLA – they have no local draw, they have a CRAPPY arena location, minimal corporate sponsorship and they (and its creative I’ll give them credit) have been marketing to opposing teams fans all of this year, and the state has a hockey team, so if you were really desparate for hockey in the greater MIA area, you could get your fix. But I think its done. I hold out very little hope for the team to stay and that really sucks.
Thanks for letting me have an arean to vent. Rawhide, you’ve done and continue to do an excellent job of speaking the truth where few are want to tread
JB
February 16th, 2011
2:53 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.
A done deal for what? To send the thrashers to Canada or to sell to someone in Atlanta?
Thrashy Thrashy
February 16th, 2011
2:58 pm
If the Thrashers leave, I’ll back to following hockey without having a team to cheer for. That will lessen my interest in the game. The way I see it, having a Don Waddell and an ownership to hate is better than having nothing at all.
Puckhead
February 16th, 2011
3:01 pm
If the Thrashers leave what will be the impact on youth hockey in the area?
Jake blues
February 16th, 2011
3:05 pm
Let the revolution begin
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=V8lT1o0sDwI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Brendan
February 16th, 2011
3:11 pm
Midfield, I’m not sure what to think right now. I want to watch-n-see what the fan reaction is at the next game, if they chant “Fire-The-Owners, clap, clap … clap, clap, clap,” and if that does happen, what Bettman would do/comment in response. I doubt it would go wholly unnoticed by the league offices.
If I’m Commissioner Bettman, and I’m on record with saying, “We’re against relocation, and have a good track record on that score,” it’s tough to turn-around and say, “Okay, fine. Let’s move this franchise up to Canada.” The divisions are aligned this way for a reason. Where the NHL allows its franchises to be located is relevant to them. It requires a Board of Governors meeting and approval. Teams don’t just up-n-leave. First, they’re in trouble for a while. And then the owners agree to sell … and then the NHL has to approve the sale. Those are all things that usually take a lot of time.
I’m not buying into any relocation. I don’t care if the next owner of the Thrashers franchise is a billionaire, you don’t pay TWO rents on one (1) hockey team … while bleeding $20 million annually, and missing out, potentially, on a very lucrative ‘naming rights’ stream of revenue for the facility. Which brings me to the topic of NHL-ready rinks. The league has to inspect and certify that the facility meets the standards of the NHL. There’s a lot that goes into these decisions.
I’m not about to tell people that they cannot and should not attend games, down the stretch. Irrespective of whether they do or don’t, these owners will do WHATEVER THEY JOLLY WELL WANT, like they always have. That’s just how they roll. They don’t factor in the fans. They merely thank them for their money.
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
3:21 pm
Rawhide, I’m chuckling at the list of your recent blog-titles…Pretty sad, isn’t it? Your blog went from the fans wanting answers…to the fans getting all the answers they want, if they’re paying any attention, that is.
Listening to Joke Kincade now–and he has stated it is “bleak”…will ask some “uncomfortable” questions…and believes there will be hockey in Atlanta next year…
(He didn’t say “NHL”, as I’m thinking of Gwinnett.)
Rammer
February 16th, 2011
3:28 pm
Does this mean that the entire team is now a healthy scratch?
JDW
February 16th, 2011
3:30 pm
I’m not saying this as a troll or a hater, but I’ve never seen a more indifferent sports city than Atlanta. Even the Braves, which is an excellent sports organization, creates little lengthy buzz. When the season starts it starts. When it’s over it’s over. No one bleeds Braves colors. The Hawks? Has anyone really cared about them since Dominique left? Even as they’re winning? The Falcons are gaining steam. But, hell, the NFL can’t do wrong these days. When the Packers start going 2-14 again, Green Bay fans will still be crazy for them. When the Falcons go 2-14 again, no one will care or notice. The Thrashers? Meh. No one cares. We just don’t. There’s no history, no buzz, no national interest. I doubt 1/4 of the people in Georgia even knows Atlanta has hockey. Atlanta, as a major sports city – is boring. THE most boring. At least in Detroit you have the thrill of risking your life going to those crappy teams. Philly, Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles – you can’t even begin to consider Atlanta anywhere near any of them. BORING!
Hoof Arted
February 16th, 2011
3:30 pm
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
SPIR-it GROUP sucks *clap-clap-clapclapclap*
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
3:32 pm
Of course, as if on cue, now Joke Kincade (and even worse Buck Hand-Off-To-Herschel-and-Make-a-Career-Off-of-It) are talking about Braves baseball.
The depth of the care seems to know little boundaries…The radio station which broadcasts the games…Wait, maybe there’s a link to the lack of care by a mouthpiece?…(’Ya think?!)
(At his rate of comprehension, it will take Smoothie a day or so to figure that one out…It’s not too difficult, Smoove; just keep reading what I say and you’ll get there, I promise…)
Thrashers27
February 16th, 2011
3:34 pm
Alright, this crap is just pure infuriating! These guys are A-1, A-holes with no respect for the game and what the team means to the city. they should never have been allowed to buy the team to begin with.
Where’s that McDavid guy? He’s sittin’ on a fistful o’ cash.
Anyone else have the urge to kick some octodouche arse?
What a bunch of pathetic losers!
Mubarak
February 16th, 2011
3:36 pm
My I suggest an Egypt style revolt outside of Philips. Look what it did to me, and I was in power for 30 years.
AtlFlamesFan
February 16th, 2011
3:38 pm
BOYCOTT ATLANTA HAWKS GAMES!!!!
BOYCOTT ATLANTA HAWKS GAMES!!!!
BOYCOTT ATLANTA HAWKS GAMES!!!!
BOYCOTT ATLANTA HAWKS GAMES!!!!
BOYCOTT ATLANTA HAWKS GAMES!!!!
Badger Bob
February 16th, 2011
3:40 pm
Hoo hum, Mr. Gearon.
Seriously. A desperate lying uncommitted owner who cares little for fan loyalty and only cares about $$$ makes a “buy tickets or we’ll move” plea to the fans. That is an old OLD story. I lived through it like a dozen times growing up in Calgary, with a “Save our Stampeders” plea every couple of years. I’m sure many of you have similar stories.
Now on the protest front, I’m all for that. Sold out game followed by boycott game – perfect. That’s how you send a message (not by a constant boycott, that gets mistaken for a poor market for hockey).
AnotherThrashersFan
February 16th, 2011
3:40 pm
GEEZ, these so-called owners are obviously not doing enough to keep the team in Atlanta, if they were we wouldn’t have this conversation!
seriously, i am sure there is someone out there that has the funds (i wish it was me) to buy this team and get this over with, all those millionaires that are flaunting their cars and houses around everywhere, put that money where the people that love the game and the team cannot afford to do, i am sure that i speak for all the hockey fans that go to every game that if it was for each of us with all that money, we would buy the team…someone, please correct me if i am wrong in any way!!!!!!!!
CANADA does not need another team, so everyone needs to forget them!
R. Stroz
February 16th, 2011
3:42 pm
Remember last month when we found out about the ASG’s newest lawsuit? The Thrashers fan club president sent out a memo to all of the fan club members. In said email, she insisted the story was not true and she would return in a day or so with clarification; instead, she retracted her comments displaying her complete lack of knowledge concering this matter.
I wonder what she has to say now? Maybe she should offer to punch one of the ASG owners in the face instead of a fan who understood the reality of the situation.
Frosty the snowman
February 16th, 2011
3:44 pm
unable to listen at 4pm, will someone please post a summary of kinkade/gearon talk.
Spud Webb
February 16th, 2011
3:46 pm
hahahahhahahah, yea I’m sure Kincaid will really give a great interview. This town has 2 of the worst possible sports talk radio channels ever. 4 major sports (insert joke there) in this town & I gotta listen to rude in the morning? I gotta listen to Leo Mazzone, I have to listen to Pollack, I gotta listen to 2 live stus, kincaid and buck BABBLE, fumble and generally not a thing about any sports here??
Frosty the snowman
February 16th, 2011
3:51 pm
From the article…. It does not suprise me of the bafoonery that they want more fans to buy tickets when they continue to put a sub par team on the ice year after year. These owners clearly are clearly semi retarded.
For all those who got mad at Hossa, and Kovy for leaving, now do you understand why.
Only way I go to a game is if I get free tix, I spent enough money on season tix for the first 5 years
Jack BAUCHER
February 16th, 2011
3:59 pm
I am a member on the Nordiques Nation (http://www.nordiquesnation.com/registration/)
It is pretty bad that things are not going so well for you guys with the Trashers. We know what does represent loosing a team. Been there up north here in Quebec city… But you have to fight to keep them, if you REALLY want to preserve the team in your area. If nobody goes to the game, if no one watch the games on TV… Guys, you have to help yourself, you have to put yourself in the position of the owners of your franchise. It’s a business after all. Do Atlanta really deserve a NHL franchise? I really beleive there are hockey fans in the Atlanta area, but if some others markets want a hockey franchise more then you do, and they have proved it in the past… What can you do? You have to fight… because some other folks are preety ready to fight much more then you do …until now.
Midfield
February 16th, 2011
4:03 pm
Did they really ever thank the fans for the money, Brendan? I think I have a tear rolling down my frown.
Badger Bob
February 16th, 2011
4:09 pm
Frosty, Gearon won’t be on until 4:15, but all the calls are about Les Thrash.
Kincade wants us to not waste our breath criticizing DW. Wow, he’ll really be on Sagegrass’ hate list now…
Whodare
February 16th, 2011
4:11 pm
Why do the Thrashers play in the blackest part of town? Move them to Alpharetta and watch them sell out every game – black people don’t watch hockey. Period.
Frosty the snowman
February 16th, 2011
4:13 pm
It will probably be a bunch of fluff
Badger Bob
February 16th, 2011
4:16 pm
Gearon will be pure fluff. Fluffy lies. I’m just listening because they are using the word “Thrashers” more in one day than they have all year to date.
Badger Bob
February 16th, 2011
4:23 pm
Kincade pitches the softball, Gearon swings his fluffy bat…
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
4:24 pm
Nothing but fluff…From Joke Kincade…to Gearon…Nothing new to see or hear here, folks…
What a waste.
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
4:25 pm
…Ahh, but the RESTAURANT-ANALOGY was used!!!
Listening to the fluff-answer now…
Geddy Lee
February 16th, 2011
4:27 pm
Big Money got a heavy hand
Big Money take control
Big Money got a mean streak
Big Money GOT NO SOUL!
Yet, I still feel like the last guy on the Titanic holding the bucket hoping for a miracle.
Theron Sapp
February 16th, 2011
4:30 pm
Hard-hitting journalism from John Kincade today. Mr. Gearon says it’s Belkin’s fault, it’s the lawyers’ fault … and hey, how about those Hawks, huh?
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
4:31 pm
The owner is rambling about the HAWKS now….This guy is clueless.
Stop subsidizing this incompetence. Frankly, it’s embarrassing…
(Only Smoothie would buy some of this tripe…)
Theron Sapp
February 16th, 2011
4:32 pm
“Mike, what could fans do for you? What can we do to mobilize the community?”
Good grief.
Red Light
February 16th, 2011
4:32 pm
Yes, lets blame it on “Atlanta is not a good sports town.”
Handcuffed for five years…poor contract drafted by our attorneys…no interest in vacating my ownership stake in the Thrashers…my greatest strength is basketball, not hockey…it’s no different than Arthur bringing in additional investors…strong group to support these teams…other people in Atlanta who are willing to jump in this with us…we had one problem, Steve Belkin, who hasn’t been here since 2005…the Hawks…the Hawks…the Hawks…the Hawks…look at the Hawks success…one the hockey side…highest payroll in the league after the lockout…great GM in Dudley…great coach in Ramsay…incorrect perception…that we have been cheap…
fes
February 16th, 2011
4:34 pm
what a toolbag. saying that the hawks have one of the highest payrolls in the nba doesn’t make us hockey fans feel any better about having one of the lowest. idiot.
Badger Bob
February 16th, 2011
4:34 pm
He’s bristling at the suggestion of being called cheap. Let’s keep it up!!
A$G are cheapskates, A$G are cheapskates…
fes
February 16th, 2011
4:35 pm
“going to a meeting” = avoiding fan calls
Jason Allisen
February 16th, 2011
4:36 pm
They could have made a playoff run last year, but instead sold Kovalchuk for pennies.
They could have made a playoff run the year before last, but instead sold Hossa for pennies.
Now it is clear to me that they were lying through their teeth when they said they made Kovi a fair offer. They weren’t trying to keep him at all. The re-signing of Buff is impressive, but what other pieces will they add. Will they re-sign Evander Kane when the time comes? I’d say doubtful, but then again, by the time Evander is ready to make superstar money, they will be under different ownership, probably in a different city.
Red Light
February 16th, 2011
4:36 pm
If the criteria of winning a championship…entertaining product and hopefully to be competitive…but it’s unrealistic to promise championships. Can you assure the fans that the team is not moving…I have no intention of moving this team out of town…appeal to our fans and Atlantans…not hitting a panic button…
Sage of Bluesland
February 16th, 2011
4:36 pm
That was a pointless and garbage interview.
Joke Kincade just concluded with, “It is what it is.”
Indeed.
CUT THE FUNDS OFF NOW. STOP THE FRAUD. GAIN SOME SELF-RESPECT. STOP BEING A PATHETIC SHEEP TO THIS.
If the ownership doesn’t care, then why on Earth do YOU?
Badger Bob
February 16th, 2011
4:37 pm
He wants to “be sure those teams are successful and prosper”. To a fan, that means competitive teams. To him, it means $$$. We aren’t even speaking the same language as A$G.
Sherry Taylor
February 16th, 2011
4:38 pm
Since many of the current season ticket holders sit in the same sections, what we should all do is show up with signs, such as–I’m here for the team, not the owners’ or Commish Bettman here sits one season ticket holder not happy with owners or whatever. It isn’t much, but it would be better than staying away. If you stay away, it hurts the team, and heaven knows they need all the support they can get since they don’t get any from on high.
I’m kind of surprised the city doesn’t get into the fray a little. Sports teams mean business downtown, it means businesses have customers on a regular basis, that helps the city. Enough pressure from all sides might get something done. Or maybe we are all wishing on a star.
Red Light
February 16th, 2011
4:42 pm
Interview synopsis: Our other properties are successful. We have no one in ownership that knows a thing about hockey. Please buy tickets. Please investors give us some capital to stop the bleeding. And, simply no new ideas to help move this franchise in a positive direction.
Conclusion: You were expecting Ross Perot and Morley Safer?
Badger Bob
February 16th, 2011
4:43 pm
ST, perhaps the city sees a disfunctional ownership suing each other and choses to stay out of the fray. Can’t blame ‘em!
Perhaps the best spin was Gearon saying the current angelic ownership are “engaged in an ugly lawsuit caused by … attorneys”. Oh, poor owners. But wait, didn’t you bring the ugly lawsuit? Didn’t you chose the lawyers and approved their work? Go away, SOON!
Tom Lysiak
February 16th, 2011
4:47 pm
“Our other properties are successful.”
The Hawks are successful? Talk about setting a low bar….
Badger Bob
February 16th, 2011
4:47 pm
“simply no new ideas to help move this franchise in a positive direction”. Amen. Michael, how about you shut up and let RD do his thang. Did you really think you’d find a buyer by airing your desperation?
RL, did we really have the highest payroll in 2004? Did he really say that?
Tom Lysiak
February 16th, 2011
4:48 pm
Did Gearon have to refer to index cards when naming the current GM and coach?