“The Balkan” is Detroit venture capitalist JB Smith
John Kincade, co-host of the Buck and Kincade Show on the flagship station of the Thrashers 680 The Fan, has finally let the cat out of the bag. The person he has been telling us about who is interested in buying the Thrashers, NBA Hawks and Philips Arena…the person he has referred to as “The Balkan” is non other than Detroit venture capitalist J.B. Smith. Smith is formerly of Equity11, “an independent, private equity firm focused on investment of growth capital and business expertise into scaleable business models” per their website.
Kincade broke this via his twitter account saying, “J.B. Smith has been attempting to put together a deal to purchase the Thrashers, Hawks and Philips Arena since early March” and “J.B. Smith will now get the full ‘media treatment’ and will make his desire to own all 3 entities public knowledge”.
I spoke with Kincade earlier today and asked him about his involvement with J.B. Smith and getting him together with the Atlanta Spirit, LLC
“I was asked to introduce J.B. Smith to the AS, LLC”, he replied. “When I did so, I then got out of the way”.
Kincade also told me that he is only interested in seeing that the Thrashers remain in Atlanta and simply wanted to do whatever he could to make sure that happens.
“I’m not a reporter, but I wanted to get the parties together”.
Last winter Smith was interested in investing in the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL.
Stick with the AJC, I’m sure there will be a lot more to this story coming from beat writer Chris Vivlamore.
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273 comments Add your comment
SomaAtl95
May 18th, 2011
3:47 pm
Anyone have a Jets jersey that can be torched at the gulch?
Tom
May 18th, 2011
3:47 pm
Zombie
I am not sure how much more boilerplate you can get… Bet a Canadian wrote that letter.
da' boomer
May 18th, 2011
3:49 pm
More reponses from ‘The Commish”:
Dear Andy, Thank you for your e-mail. Commissioner Bettman sends his appreciation foryour interest in the NHL and your passion for the Thrashers. As a League, we take all franchise matters very seriously because weunderstand the emotional and financial investments you make in the game andin our franchises. We make all reasonable and best efforts to maintainfranchises in their current locations, and we have approached theThrashers’ situation no differently from that of any other franchise. Wehave been working with the Thrashers’ ownership for some time in quest of asolution to their issues, and we continue to work with them because of itsimportance to us and to you. Again, we value your support of the Thrashers and the NHL. Thank you somuch for taking the time to write. Sincerely, National Hockey League Public Relations
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 18th, 2011
4:02 pm
Gary never responed to my email. I guess I wasn’t very civil.
man, am i important
May 18th, 2011
4:02 pm
what self-important JACKA$$ kincaide is… yeah, let’s see i’m a rich guy w. a legit interest in buying a substantial business – do i have my bankers call ASG’s bankers? no. how about my bankers call the NHL? no. how about I call the NHL? no. maybe i’ll have my attorneys do it? no. how about I call ASG’s CEO?
oh no, everyone knows that if you’re going to get a deal done, kincaide is the man
honestly, the whole thing is idiotic.
Thrashers27
May 18th, 2011
4:30 pm
I say we stage a sit in at the arena. Everybody go for the “pick your seat” event and just stay there until the ASG douches agree to sell only to a local buyer. They can’t make any money at all if the place is full of POd Thrashers fans.
Nate
May 18th, 2011
4:31 pm
My league response was slightly different. See below.
Dear Nate, Thank you for your e-mail. Commissioner Bettman sends his appreciation foryour interest in the NHL and your passion for the Thrashers. It was deeplytouching to read that you would buy season tickets to Thrashers games thisseason. We fully understand the commitment you are expressing with thatstatement. As a League, we take all franchise matters very seriously because weunderstand the emotional and financial investments you make in the game andin our franchises. We make all reasonable and best efforts to maintainfranchises in their current locations, and we have approached theThrashers’ situation no differently from that of any other franchise. Thedifference between the matter in Atlanta and the matter in Phoenix is thatthe Coyotes were thrown into an improper bankruptcy proceeding that turnedour “behind the scenes” efforts into very public ones. Please don’t mistake our having worked behind the scenes in this case tomean that we didn’t work as much or as hard on the Thrashers’ behalf. Wehave been working with the Thrashers’ ownership for some time in quest of asolution to their issues, and we continue to work with them because of itsimportance to us and to you. Again, we value your support of the Thrashers and the NHL. Thank you somuch for taking the time to write. Sincerely, National Hockey League Public Relations
Tom Lysiak
May 18th, 2011
4:54 pm
Looks like that Jay Clemons dude has already shut down his Twitter account. Weird situation.
Zombie Steve
May 18th, 2011
5:03 pm
Tom – yeah, it was canned tuna.
Mrs. Zoomo
May 18th, 2011
5:20 pm
Too bad Darren Eliot can’t buy the Thrashers – he would do a fabulous job running the team!
Cornbread
May 18th, 2011
5:40 pm
Here’s my reply back from the NHL a full 5 days after sending my email to the Commissioner:
Thank you for your e-mail. Commissioner Bettman sends his appreciation for
your interest in the NHL and your passion for the Thrashers.
As a League, we take all franchise matters very seriously because we
understand the emotional and financial investments you make in the game and
in our franchises. We make all reasonable and best efforts to maintain
franchises in their current locations, and we have approached the
Thrashers’ situation no differently from that of any other franchise. The
difference between the matter in Atlanta and the matter in Phoenix is that
the Coyotes were thrown into an improper bankruptcy proceeding that turned
our “behind the scenes” efforts into very public ones.
Please don’t mistake our having worked behind the scenes in this case to
mean that we didn’t work as much or as hard on the Thrashers’ behalf. We
have been working with the Thrashers’ ownership for some time in quest of a
solution to their issues, and we continue to work with them because of its
importance to us and to you.
Again, we value your support of the Thrashers and the NHL. Thank you so
much for taking the time to write.
Sincerely,
National Hockey League Public Relations
Cornbread
May 18th, 2011
5:47 pm
Does anyone think this whole sordid ordeal is going to turn into a public relations nightmare for the NHL and NHL Public Relations? Does anyone think they’ll care?
glovesave29
May 18th, 2011
5:56 pm
Cornbread…
Yes
No
R. Stroz
May 18th, 2011
6:02 pm
The NHL is just sending form letters back. We need to resend letters and demand a real response.
THE NHL PUT US HERE APPROVING THE ASG CLUSTER CLOWNS. THEY HAVE A DUTY TO MAKE IT RIGHT.
BETTMAN CAUSED THIS PROBLEM BY NOT SCREENING FOR PROPER OWNERS.
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 18th, 2011
6:14 pm
Want to feel better about yourselves and your city Atlanta Thrasher fans? The Hockey News dated May 30, 2011 in a story by Adam Proteau titled ” Would you want to go to Winnipeg”? An agent told Adam Proteau this: “Players are talking about Winnipeg,” said the agent “No one – and I mean no one – wants to play there. You think Edmonton has a PR problem? Watch this one.” How many Thrasher players do you think are sweating bullets and can’t sleep about being possibly exiled to Winnipeg? I’ll bet the whole team. NHL better fix the Atlanta ownership problem because members of the NHLPA aren’t going to be too thrilled with members being dragged out of Atlanta only to be dumped in Winnipeg.
Big Wally
May 18th, 2011
6:30 pm
Give Winnipeg an expansion franchise. Keep the Thrashers here. Just to show there are no hard feelings, we can give them “Big game” Bogosian and Waddell
Big Wally
May 18th, 2011
6:36 pm
Sherman treated Atlanta better than ASG has.
Alan R.
May 18th, 2011
7:48 pm
Tom Lysiak – http://twitter.com/#!/ATL_JayClemons
He didn’t shut it down. He changed his name yesterday, but it just took affect today.
EA
May 18th, 2011
8:31 pm
I am part of the club! My form letter response from Bettman arrived in my e-mail today. So much for the heart felt letter that I sent.
Tom Lysiak
May 18th, 2011
8:48 pm
Alan R. – thank you sir!! I was going to Google and entering his name and clicking on Twitter for him. It was working before, so I kept trying that way.
Still……weird situation!!!
Tom Lysiak
May 18th, 2011
9:14 pm
I have finally joined the club. Just got my response from the Bettman email sent on Friday. They don’t try to hide it though, the email address is auto-responder@nhl.com.
Nate
May 18th, 2011
10:10 pm
Tom – Mine was from nhlpublicrelations@nhl.com
Not a big improvement, but better than auto-responder.
Red Light
May 18th, 2011
10:48 pm
What did you expect, “marry my daughter sonny?”
Red Light
May 18th, 2011
10:51 pm
A rally isn’t a rally with 100 to 200 people there, it’s a coffee house!
Twisted Wrister
May 18th, 2011
11:29 pm
Get Waddell to come to the party and we will turn it into a roast.
Brendan
May 18th, 2011
11:42 pm
Well, our ol’ pal, ex-Thrasher, Ben Eager, was in the sin bin when Vancouver effectively ended tonight’s contest. At the time, it was a 4-2 score. Things have gotten out of hand, and now Vancouver leads SJ, 6-2, late in the 3rd period.
jeff97
May 19th, 2011
12:13 am
Eager showed his true colors tonight and the reason why the Thrash got rid of him. He probably cost his team 2-3 goals tonight. Totally undisciplined.
Tom
May 19th, 2011
12:36 am
My guess is this was the last we will see of Eager in a Shark’s uniform. Snap – Crackle – and Pop.
Brendan
May 19th, 2011
12:58 am
Eager pulled his “bring it on!” stance. Look, the guy’s a multiple-time offender, clearly on the NHL’s radar. Though he did score tonight, that hardly makes up for his undisciplined play. I think we’ll see his ice time significantly curtailed.
litz
May 19th, 2011
1:21 am
And, to think … people (not many, mind you) complained about his departure.
Yeesh.
JT from Columbus
May 19th, 2011
7:31 am
Are we out of local owner options after yesterday?
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 19th, 2011
7:56 am
Hey JT from Columbus,
Since you are in Columbus, why don’t you go over to AFLAC HQ and to talk to the AMOS Brothers!
JT from Columbus
May 19th, 2011
8:05 am
They certainlly have the money!! One the Amos’ owns our local minor league hockey club.
Tom
May 19th, 2011
8:53 am
If the Amos’s bought the Thrashers they could rename us the Ducks… Oh, wait…
Alan R.
May 19th, 2011
9:53 am
So, hey guys, What is all this?
http://www.prweb.com/releases/atlanta-hawks-thrashers/phillips-arena-jim-ellis/prweb8454743.htm
Jim Ellis Audi announced today the launch of a multi-year partnership with the Atlanta Hawks, the Atlanta Thrashers and Phillips Arena that includes entitlement of the Jim Ellis Audi Lounge. Located on the court, ice and stage level among the arena’s courtside seats, the lounge offers guests access to a private bar, multiple television screens and direct entrance to the most premium of seating options in one of the top dual-sport, concert and events venues in the world. The relationship also includes sponsorship of the Atlanta Hawks Foundation annual fundraiser, Full Court Fest, sponsorship of the Atlanta Thrashers Foundation annual fundraiser, Casino Night, and vehicle displays outside of Philips Arena.
(Continued)
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 19th, 2011
10:18 am
WOA! This just posted on facebook. If this is true, there needs to be some investigation!!
“Moores, the man currently in exclusivity to purchase the Hawks and Philips arena, is also part of a firm that has a stake in Jobing.com arena. This is the same arena the Phoenix Coyotes hockey club plays in. Isn’t this a conflict of interest?”
ZAvalanche
May 19th, 2011
10:28 am
Ha! Think Ben Eager is a bit sore? Check this:
“We’ve seen that before with Kevin,” said Ben Eager. “It’s sad that someone’s gonna sign him for big money when he’s a phony. He goes after our top players. He’s been asked many times, by lots of players throughout the League (to fight), and he’s declined.”
Matt from MN
May 19th, 2011
10:28 am
Ben Eager continues to defines “stupid” on the ice. What a moron. Glad to see that he’s “gotten himself under control” after leaving the Thrashers. Sharks better bench him NOW.
Stan Drulia
May 19th, 2011
11:14 am
Eager did get a nice flash last night from a Canadian stripper… it’s on PuckDaddy. Still a d-bag – but a d-bag who got flashed.
ZAvalanche
May 19th, 2011
11:15 am
It can be argued in either way, but Ben’s penalties, IMO, turned the tables on the Sharks last night. Vancouver has the best PP in the league this year and if you are not disciplined against them you are going to get burned, as is what happened to the Sharks last night. There are reasons that cliches exist, you know, ones like “If you play with fire……”. I picked Vancouver, and the Sharks aren’t done yet but it sure looks like it.
ZAvalanche
May 19th, 2011
11:17 am
Stan – that is awesome! Not really sure what she was going for, but nice rack. Actually, the vast majority of men get a bit distracted and “off their game” with an exhibition such as that. LOL!
ZAvalanche
May 19th, 2011
11:20 am
Additionally, can I get into the penalty box in Vancouver? People pay for that type of thing…… I don’t, but some do
ben
May 19th, 2011
12:28 pm
I guess the Spirit are drumming up sponsorships if either deal falls through. Is there any possible way that C-Viv and Kinkade might both be right? It just seems odd to have conflicting reports like this. Too, why does this not appear in hardly any mainline media outlets? A move to the ‘peg seems so odd and outta left field that even HNIC has lately thrown cold water on it.
After Spirit’s suit against the Lawyers, I’ll grant that these are some fellas who seem to be a wee bit ::sarcasm:: out of their depth, but a move to winnipegg makes zero sense from a league standpoint. Edmonton was about to move before it got recently saved, Calgary seems troubled, and the other thing I keep going back to is, God love ‘em, but the Thrashers were bad last year, and I just don’t see them being any better this year. And let’s say that this Chipman could over spend and turn his team into something great, how long could he sustain that model? And if he did that it wouldn’t be cash in / cash out. Winnipeg is just not that big.
My point is, there’s a play someone hasn’t made. If it goes to Winnipeg, either there’ll be this much bigger revenue stream or it won’t stay there very long. I mean he’d have to turn the player personnel over within two years otherwise people just won’t come. Canucks can yammer in chat rooms all they want but in a while it’ll be back to reality. And, they’ll pay double what we pay.
Red Light
May 19th, 2011
12:34 pm
ben
Solid point about Winnipeg. There are plenty of issues about moving the club there, including long-term viability financially, just like here. You can bet that there will be nights of only 8,500 in attendance there, just as there are here. Being in the playoff hunt only lasts so long. Contention and winning playoff series are the only long term solutions.
I don’t see how any businessperson pays $170 million for a franchise worth $85 million at best, no matter where it is based.
BOB FROM ACCOUNT TEMPS
May 19th, 2011
12:44 pm
JB Smith buying out the ASG = Trump running for prez
Brie
May 19th, 2011
1:28 pm
Got my form letter too:
Dear B…,
Thank you for your e-mail. Commissioner Bettman sends his appreciation for
your interest in the NHL and your passion for the Thrashers.
As a League, we take all franchise matters very seriously because we
understand the emotional and financial investments you make in the game and
in our franchises. We make all reasonable and best efforts to maintain
franchises in their current locations, and we have approached the
Thrashers’ situation no differently from that of any other franchise. The
difference between the matter in Atlanta and the matter in Phoenix is that
the Coyotes were thrown into an improper bankruptcy proceeding that turned
our “behind the scenes” efforts into very public ones.
Please don’t mistake our having worked behind the scenes in this case to
mean that we didn’t work as much or as hard on the Thrashers’ behalf. We
have been working with the Thrashers’ ownership for some time in quest of a
solution to their issues, and we continue to work with them because of its
importance to us and to you.
Again, we value your support of the Thrashers and the NHL. Thank you so
much for taking the time to write.
Sincerely,
National Hockey League Public Relations
But also a real (I think) note from the editor of The Hockey News:
Hi B…. From a personal standpoint, I agree the fans are getting a bad rap in Atlanta (as they do in most non-traditional markets). I’m sympathetic to all who love the game and don’t get the respect they deserve. It’s a real shame the Thrashers couldn’t get all their ducks in order to produce a good product, otherwise I’m sure it would have been a success as it has in other cities of Atlanta’s ilk.
Take care.
These are the only responses I’ve received out of the letters I’ve written to: Bettman, Daly, Gov. Deal, Mayor Reed, all AJC writers, XM Home Ice folks, ASG owners, Georgia state and national elected officials. Hmm. I”m channeling my fears into a writing campaign, but it feels like stabbing in the dark.
I did hear several XM on-air folks talking about how they think the Thrashers should stay (last night before Van/SJ game). That made me feel better, somehow.
Mitch4404
May 19th, 2011
1:30 pm
WHO WOULD THE SPIRIT CHOOSE?!If this works out with a reputable offer from Smith We will really see where The Atlanta Spirit’s heart lies in keeping the team here. I understand the True North deal in Winnipeg is pretty large(170 Million) more money than another US buyer would probably offer and the league would make 60 million in the relocation fee.( I have a feeling 60 million dollars is the reason we are seeing no fight from Bettman and the league to find an Atlanta buyer or show support for the city.) So if both deals are out there will Spirit take less money to keep the team here ! I would love to say Yes but this group has put out so many lies I don’t have the faith they would do the right thing. But I am still hopeful LETS GO THRASHERS !!!!
Hoof Arted
May 19th, 2011
1:50 pm
I keep reading comments like the one Mitch4404 posted above about the $60M relocation fee being the reason Bettman hasn’t really stepped in here. But wouldn’t there have been a $60M relocation fee also if the Coyotes have been allowed to be sold and shipped off to Winnipeg?
SomaAtl95
May 19th, 2011
2:06 pm
Hoof – Difference is that Jim Ball-silly and teh previous owners of the Yotes tried to pull a fast one on the NHL and Bettman had to step in to save face. A$G on the other hand has probably made it as hard as possible to keep the team in Atlanta so it is a win-win for the league and Canada. The NHL has more time to save a franchise that tried underhanded tactics to be sold and Canada gets another team. The only real losers in this are us Thrashers fans as we will have been screwed twice by uncaring ownership and a country that relentlessly mocks us.
See you all on Saturday!
ben
May 19th, 2011
2:15 pm
the fee ain’t it 60M split 29 ways! we don’t have anywhere near the whole picture. we’re missing something