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
Iron League 13
February 17th, 2011
7:48 am
Joe M,cGrath – Glavine is an excellent choice, a Mass Transplant that played draft worthy hockey. Good idea!!!
Red Light
February 17th, 2011
7:49 am
Brendan:
Ladd, just like Byfuglien, will say yes to the amount, term, Atlanta and the NHL more so than to the Thrashers. Would be very surprised if it’s more than a three-year-deal. Players are insulated from much of the off-ice stuff because they know some team will pay them. Just like in recent years, the Isles have 20 roster spots and the players collect their money, and then hold their breath until they are traded elsewhere.
Iron League 13
February 17th, 2011
7:54 am
The amazing thing about that Nordiques Fan (I call him Dique, basically a cutesy spin on Dick) is that between all he and his provincial chums time spent talking about seccession, he/they still have time to troll on here. That’s kinda messed up priorities right? Hey, Frenchie no wonder you guys never had a revolution…all talk.
JT
February 17th, 2011
7:59 am
My biggest issue about this whole thing is the timing. You know, we still have a shot at the post-season. So, let’s announce this decision right now? It will affect the players (where will we be next year? Should we sell our houses? Dealing with their families). It will hurt attendance. Nice last move on your way out, ownership group….
Iron League 13
February 17th, 2011
7:59 am
Maybe Michael Gearon is a pshycological games playing genius. Think of all the FREE grassroots organizing to find another owner/investor this leak has really pushed. Yes, some of it was already there, but now there’s a definite “sense of urgency”.
Thrasher Fan and dont know why
February 17th, 2011
8:04 am
If the next 12 yrs of Thrasher play equals the past 12 yrs, then let Winnepeg or some other city suffer . This franchise is getting no better and wont as long as the Spirit are involved. Unless Arthur Blank is dumber than I think he is, this franchise is gone gone gone. Nobody else in town has the money to burn for such a black hole of a franchise.
Be careful Winnepeg, KC, and others. sometimes stealing someone else’s garbage is no more than relocating the trash to a prettier dump.
Buzzeng
February 17th, 2011
8:07 am
(also posted on Bradley’s blog…)
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. Regardless…what makes anyone think the ASG could even agree to a selling price without suing each other, the two firms (and third firm) that are hired as consultants to determine a fair price, the law firm that writes up the contract, the person/group that buys the club, etc. I can see it already: “ASG Sues New Owners for Turning Franchise into Money-maker”.
Still… Go Thrashers!!! (but stay!)
Buzzeng
February 17th, 2011
8:11 am
P.S. “Thanks” Toronto and New Joisey. We need all the help we can get!
Thrasher Fan and dont know why
February 17th, 2011
8:35 am
Last month there was a blog here with a link to the Winnepeg paper where their local hockey writer was speculating on the Thrashers moving. I posted a comment that defended the city’s hockey fans and stated my belief that the Thrashers werent going anywhere. I posted that comment on this blog as well.
After this week, Ive changed my mind. I went back to the Winnepeg paper and they are all over this Thrasher news..so I posted this new comment. How about some feedback..am I representing the Thrasher fans thoughts properly in the Winnepeg paper? my comment this morning:
I live in Atlanta. I posted a comment about a month ago responding to a column suggesting that the Thrashers were moving to Winnepeg. The gist of my post was that it wasnt going to happen..I then gave several reasons why I felt that way.
I hate to say it, but I have changed my mind. The dynamic has completely changed in that month. What was a playoff run has degenerated into the annual “0 for February” slide . (On Groundhog day in Atlanta, if the hog sees his shadow, its 6 more weeks of bad hockey.)Then the owners, who are universally despised, respond not by adding a scorer, but by saying they are prob going to move the franchise.
Since the current leadership group took over (think Three Stooges but there are 7), they have repeatedly shown their disinterest in the franchise and to the season ticket holders. Now fans are finding other ways to spend that money..as an upper level seat is $50 minimum..Heck you can go to two Braves games for that and see a winner.
I would just caution you Winnepeg fans that if the Thrashers come, be prepared to live with a fixer upper for a while.
glovesave29
February 17th, 2011
8:36 am
Quebec is a hotbed…? Really? I DESPISE revisionist history. Here are the FACTS -
Attendance –
89/90 – 15,080
90/91 – 14,188
91/92 – 13,666
92/93 – 14,981
93/94 – 14,614
94/95 – 14,395
Capacity of Le Colisee? 15,750
Year one in Denver? Over 16K in the DUMP that was McNichols Arena.
The Knights moved there when the Omni was demolished to build Philips for the Thrashers…the Rafales were disbanded after two seasons. Why? IN THE SECOND YEAR, the team was not performing well on the ice and the fan base turned their back on the team. SECOND YEAR. Sounds more fair weather than we are here in Atlanta.
Its so obvious it ALL on ownership…
Minnesota North Stars – bad ownership
Minnesota Wild – good ownership
SUCCESS
Oakland / California Seals / California Golden Seals – bad ownership
San Jose Shark – good ownership
SUCCESS
Colorado Rockies – bad ownership
Colorado Avalanche – good ownership
SUCCESS
See a pattern here…?
Sage of Bluesland
February 17th, 2011
8:45 am
“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….”
Isn’t that the truth. Listened to the interview again, as painful as that was….and Brendan is right (and anyone else unmentioned who may have also said it), this guy does not want to lose ‘his’ ownership. I didn’t pick that up the first time I listened.
How delusional is this guy? Who in their right mind would analyze this and jump in willingly for millions of dollars? Help me share losses! They’ve written alot of checks and spent a lot of money?!…Yes, Brendan, that IS part of being an owner!
Someone stated they heard him say “offered Koby [Bryant] a lot of money…”…NO–it was “Kovy”.
I’m firmer in my boycott belief than ever before. These owners–WITH THEIR DELIVERED PRODUCT–deserve nothing but scorn and ridicule.
I was going to go down for “one last time” to bid farewell to the team I grew to love and hope for….Nope, not anymore. Not a single dollar wasted on such egregious incompetence.
mat"T"
February 17th, 2011
8:46 am
Guys, it’s over. Joe Friday is probably 100% correct.
Thrasher Fan and dont know why
February 17th, 2011
8:48 am
Quebec City has about the same amount of people as Chattanooga, yet they drew more than the Thrashers every yr.
Spud Webb
February 17th, 2011
8:53 am
JK giving advice on what to do and what not to do?? Laughable, JK, you had the owner on the radio yesterday and let the guy OFF the hook. Are you sure you’re from Philly??? Cause I was hoping for you to ask some direct TO THE POINT questions and get some ANSWERS, make the gdg accountable? Heck, p&ss the guy off and get him to hang up on you, SOMETHING. Unbelievable. JK, when was the last time you to pay for a ticket to a game? Of course you say go, you haven’t INVESTED anything into this team, just wind and a nice paycheck from them. So do us a favor, stick to hanging with buck and that hokie 4 hour show.
What a giant mess we have here with the Thrashers. Sorry for the venting, just p!ssed at the whole situation.
ThrashDawg
February 17th, 2011
9:05 am
Ladies and Gentlemen it is time to move on from the ASG and work the politicians and people of wealth toward finding new owners for our Atlanta Thrashers. To continue to discuss these clowns is a complete waste of time. They want out and in fact never wanted the Thrashers, the plan was to spin them off asap and keep the Hawks which they love. The biggest thing we as Thrashers fans have going for us is the fact the ASG own the arena and would prefer to keep the hockey team in town. I say do as this James dude is saying and send e-mails to the governor, mayor and anyone else we can to show a tide of support for this team before it is too late. These idiots do not want to sell to somebody that will move the team, they are just tired of using their money on the hockey team, money that they want to use on the basketball team.
DWTOO
February 17th, 2011
9:06 am
At one point I really believed the team would stay in Atlanta, now, I’ll be amazed if we have a team next year. I’ll probably still attend the remaining home games just to show that there are some NHL fans in town.
DWTOO
February 17th, 2011
9:08 am
Oh, and I fully support all the efforts folks are making – just think it’s already a done deal.
DawgDad
February 17th, 2011
9:09 am
I came to Atlanta from St. Louis. I’ve experienced plenty of ownership problems there, from the Solomon Brothers to Ralston-Purina to Harry Ornest (the team nearly moved to Saskatoon!) to the Michael Shanahan era to the Wal-Mart hier guy. Through the 80’s in the worst of times Harry Ornest and Jacques Caron kept a team on the ice that made the playoffs EVERY YEAR. Attendance suffered at times for a variety of reasons (building, economy, etc.) but the viability of hockey in St. Louis was never questioned.
For this owner group, which is on record as having bought this team to flip for a quick profit, to attempt to cast responsibility on the FAN BASE for THEIR failings to (a) sell quick, (b) find new investors, or (c) give one whit about the product on the ice, well, GET THE H OUT OF HERE ALREADY.
Shame on them. Shame on 680 and the AJC and everyone else for imploring the fans to buck up or suffer. That’s the level pro-sports marketing has descended to? Give me a break. The best these guys could do was to trot out Don Waddell with a ridiculous sign and appeal earlier this year and now this. DO YOUR JOBS, live up to YOUR responsibilities, you empty suits.
Moose
February 17th, 2011
9:11 am
Bill,
I agree with your article but I have not spent a dime on the Thrashers since the last town hall meeting I went to in the spring of 2008. Atlanta can support a team with the right ownership, but when you have owners mouthing off and swearing at ticket buyers and season ticket holders as they did that night, there is no way they deserve a franchise nor our money.
Yes, that will not help the team, however the message needs to be sent to the league to get these buffoons (owners) out of here.
Badger Bob
February 17th, 2011
9:44 am
Oh, ye of little faith. We don’t believe a thing out of Gearon’s mouth (with good reason) except him saying the team could move? C’mon. If we can figure out Atlanta is a real hockey market in need of solid ownership, then the NHL and some investor(s) can too. We need to speak up, but not panic.
I will be at whateven games I can be, joining the “F the Owners” chants, and cheering for athletes playing the best sport in the world.
glovesave29
February 17th, 2011
9:45 am
“Quebec City has about the same amount of people as Chattanooga, yet they drew more than the Thrashers every yr.”
WRONG!
Rawhide
February 17th, 2011
9:47 am
G’morning gang. Look for a new blog to post at 10:00 am this morning.
glovesave29
February 17th, 2011
9:48 am
Anyone up for catching tonight’s game at TJ’s?
JT from Columbus
February 17th, 2011
9:50 am
Hope the new blog has better news.
OLARA
February 17th, 2011
9:55 am
PROBLEM IS IF YOU HAVE A NEW BUYER AND NOT AN INVESTOR a.s. WILL STILL LINE THEIR POCKETS – TICKET SALES/CONCESSIONS/ET AL. BLANK SHOULD BUY THE THRASHERS AND TALK TO THE CITY ABOUT BUILDING HIS NEW STADIUM THE WAY HE WANTS W/ A NEW ARENA. FIRE EVERYONE AT PHILIPS AT EVERY LEVEL AND START FRESH! I WOULD NOT BE OPPOSED TO BLANK OWNING THE BLOCK!
Larry E
February 17th, 2011
10:01 am
Just a question. are Gladiators a minor league team for the Thrashers and if they are sold, would that mean we loose the Glads. too?
John Belusi
February 17th, 2011
10:04 am
Q. If we don’t pack the arena it will benefit who?
A. Yes, you are right the 7 stooges…..they will have more proof atl can’t make it…see they want to sell and make the case for relocation. They stand to make millions on this transaction.
Don’t be dumb and fall into their trap…..they may not be nice but they ain’t stupid!
And this is the truth
DWTOO
February 17th, 2011
10:05 am
Larry – The Glads have separate, fortunately, ownership. They have an operating agreement with the Thrashers where the Thrashers provide some players.
John Belusi
February 17th, 2011
10:08 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8lT1o0sDwI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Animal House: Germans Bombed Pearl Harbor
JMT21
February 17th, 2011
3:24 pm
On behalf of my fellow Western Canadians I’d like to apologize for the uncouth behavior shown by the “Nordique fans” trolling these comments.
If you think it’s tough dealing with them on these forums… try living in the same country as them.
Believe me…… having Quebec as part of Canada is as painful as it gets.
Brendan
February 17th, 2011
6:53 pm
Red Light, I hope you’re right, re: Ladd’s new contract.