Do the right thing, Atlanta Spirit…for once
This weekend was already expected to be a very busy one for my family and I. Tomorrow my youngest tax exemption’s JROTC academic team will compete for the national championship, Sunday is his graduation baccalaureate and after that is over we’ll motor down to Savannah. We head there for a college campus tour scheduled for Monday, after which we will make our way back home that evening.
He then graduates Thursday morning, so as you can see this is a very busy time in my household.
I tell you this for a couple reasons. 1). This is why I will not be able to join you all tomorrow at the tailgate party put together by my good friend “Kracker” and, 2). Because of the news that broke last night in the Globe and Mail, I wanted to give you forum to discuss this as the story unfolds over the weekend.
As I’m sure you all have read by now, in the latest twist and turn of this roller coaster ride known as The Thrashers Relocation Saga, last night Stephen Brunt of The Globe and Mail reported that the Atlanta Thrashers were indeed moving to Winnipeg. Brunt says this deal was approved by the NHL board of directors months ago.
“…sources in Winnipeg suggest that the Thrashers had in fact been the primary target of potential owners Mark Chipman and David Thomson all along, and that some months back, the NHL board of governors quietly approved the sale and transfer of the team, pending the negotiation of a purchase agreement between Atlanta Spirit LLC, the Thrashers’ owners, and True North.”
As expected, the league and TNSE as well as other sources quickly refuted this story setting in motion yet another round on the ”Thrashers are moving…no they’re not…yes they are…no they’re not…” roller coaster.
But given the timing, and that this news leak doesn’t come from an internet-based site created solely for the distribution of fabricated stories, I have to say I think this one could pass the smell test.
I mentioned timing because this Saturday at Philips Arena is the scheduled Select A Seat event in which fans are invited down to pick out season tickets and/or simply locate where the seats are that they’ve already ordered. Representatives of the Atlanta Spirit sales and marketing department will be on hand to take your orders.
However, with news breaking that the team is quite probably heading to Winnipeg…leaving Thrashers fans out in the cold…it isn’t hard to imagine that there won’t be a lot of people making their way to Philips to fork over money in exchange for tickets to games that may or may not take place.
And I’m quite sure there will be TV cameras on hand to record this to beam back to points north of the border.
See, if in fact the report in the G&M is accurate, then that means the NHL, TNSE and the greatest cluster flop of an ownership group ever to have been planning this relocation for months and this whole tap-dance of sending Don Waddell out to find possible buyers to keep the team in town has been a shame…and they need cover.
Also making the “timing” here interesting to me is the reports and whispers I’ve been hearing that those in charge of such things have already bugun the inventory, bagging and clearing out of all things hockey related down at Philips Area earlier this week.
So, if you were planning on scooting down to the SAS event or the tailgate gathering of fans I would urge you to continue to do so. Go have a great time with friends and fellow fans…looks like the weather will perfect for it.
But go prepared willing to get your face in a camera and politely let the world know what you think of this situation and the Atlanta Spirit, LLC… the Great Octocluster. Make signs if you wish and give the cameramen something worthwhile to put on video.
Don’t be rude…don’t be vulgar…don’t represent Thrasherville in a negative light. But let the hockey community know what you truly feel and who is directly responsible for the possible loss of this team here.
Finally, to the members of the AS, LLC I make this challenge. If the reports are true and you have been plotting and scheming for months to rip this franchise from this community, then cancel the Select A Seat event scheduled for tomorrow. Do not continue this ruse…this deception…this scam …this tease one day longer. Do not accept a single dollar for tickets to games for a season you know will not happen in Atlanta.
In short, do the decent, honorable and upright thing…for once…and let the fans know today the truth of the situation. Don’t give an eager media looking to depict the turnout misrepresent the reality of the situation.
That way, you can at least say you were up-front and honest with us if even just this once in your disastrous seven years as owners…and Saturday afternoon can be a time of support, remembering and good-byes for those who plan on gathering at the Gulch.
Somehow, given the history, I’m not holding my breath that the honorable thing will be done by the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, (Lies, Lawsuits and Contempt).
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352 comments Add your comment
MASHAPlayer7
May 20th, 2011
1:25 pm
Soma and others – I have to think of something positive or I will drink myself into oblivision. So, if you are serious about playing street hockey, there is a well-organized street hockey league in Atlanta – the Metro Atlanta Street Hockey Association. The league has been around forever, and it’s played at a stellar, regulation size street hockey rink at Pickneyville Park in Gwinnett County. The league’s website is http://www.mashahockey.com.
Turning my attention to more somber matters, as tumultuous a ride this has been, with a lousy product and lousy owners, I was glad to have NHL hockey here for the last decade. I grew up a Whalers fan…so I’ve been through this twice now. I’m emotionally spent. But I’ll reflect on the times we had,and move forward with other positives in my life.
And to the kind Winnipeg posters – glad to know that there are some of you out there. Unfortunately, until now, we’ve only seen the nasty and hateful trolls. So thank you for your kind words, and yes, we now know the pain you went through when you lost the Jets. Please take care of our team and our players. Maybe Delta will even start up a non-stop Atlanta to Winnipeg flight schedule.
SkepticalJetsFan
May 20th, 2011
1:33 pm
MASHA, unfortunately we’re seeing some hateful posts coming from the Thrashers end now.
I won’t get into a history lesson, nor will I fire back. I’ll just say again that I sympathize and give my word that I’ll always show respect to the team and the fans – no matter the city
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 20th, 2011
1:40 pm
What’s the over-under on attendance tomorrow, both for the Select-A-Seat and the rally?
Joe Friday
May 20th, 2011
1:44 pm
“Not sure what “reputation” you’re talking about Joe Friday…..a poor showing at the Gulch will just add fuel to the fire that Atlanta is not a pro sports team town and not a hockey town.”
I really don’t want you guys to go down and make fools out of yourselves. Really, I am not being mean, I truly want you to save your dignity. This is a fait accompli, it’s done. There is nothing to be accomplished other than to be fodder for what they want, they want to show the pics of the 79 of you in that big empty parking lot, they’ll take the pics from the top deck and the image will last forever. Read Bettman’s comments “we’ll see how many show up”. I can see the sneer on his face when he said that. They truly believe that there’s not fans here to support the NHL, when the truth is that the ownership, or more importantly, Don Waddell failed here. Not the fans.
If you are intent on going tomorrow then get 1000 to show up and get rowdy and go in and make a scene or you are going to have your pics plastered all over Canadian papers on Sunday for ridicule as the reason hockey failed here if there’s 79, 100, 150 of you and 12 of you go select seats. Don’t you see that?
No one should show up. Not one. That would speak volumes.
Joe Friday
May 20th, 2011
1:45 pm
What’s the over-under on attendance tomorrow, both for the Select-A-Seat and the rally?
Select a Seat = 12
Rally = 79
both should be 0
ZAvalanche
May 20th, 2011
1:45 pm
@Alan R. – I don’t believe a word he says. I am officially labeling this Grand Theft Zamboni.
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 20th, 2011
1:48 pm
Just curious: how would those numbers change if Arthur Blank suddenly bought the team today?
4whatitsworth
May 20th, 2011
1:48 pm
I have read these blogs to get a sense of how Thrasher fans feel about the probable relocation.
I’ve kept my mouth shut because Atlanta is not my city.
As a Winnipeger, I’m ashamed of the handful of rude, thoughtless, ignorant louts from Canada that have posted here.
I’ve wanted a return of NHL Hockey since Winnipeg was screwed out of it’s team. Now I’m watching it happened to Atlanta and I’m thrown back to those heart breaking days.
You don’t deserve this. I don’t personally know anyone who takes joy in your pain.
LAC
May 20th, 2011
1:49 pm
I say send Seal Team 6 after ALL asg owners, fly them off the coast and throw them ALL in the Atlantic !!! If I had the chance with levenson… Well better not go “that” far. But I do know this…
Thou shalt not LIE, and I hope and prey these owners, all of them and turner, ALL get their souls BITCH$LAPPED to Hell when judgement day arrives for them, THEY DESERVE Everything Satin has to offer !
ZAvalanche
May 20th, 2011
2:01 pm
@SkepticalJetsFan – thank you for your kind words. I know you know how it feels, and you know the pain we feel. I love Thrashy almost as much as I love the Avs. And if the Avs left town I might just boycott the NHL (probably not, but I would be p!ssed for a long time).
I lived in Atl for 5 years, shared some beers with some of the posters here and I can tell you that the Atl fans KNOW their hockey just as well as anybody from the Great North. It is a wonderful sport and am grateful to Canada for developing it as I love playing it and watching it. What happened here is not the fault of the fans, I know you realize that, but rather the ownership.
GB has messed up badly. And he will find that out – in the means of trying to find another job. I don’t bash on Canada, never have and in fact have lauded it as a beautiful place with very nice people. I say the same thing about the South as well. The vast majority of Americans love the Canadians and vise-versa. It is just a bummer to me, and many others, to lose a hockey team. I have felt it before when Colorado lost the Rockies to NJ. It sucks. I am sure the good folks in Kansas City felt the same way when they lost the Scouts to CO (insert moved team here).
I like y’all and hope it works, if indeed it comes to fruition as the proliferation of hockey is good for me. You deserve a team and I just wish it wasn’t ours. Cheers and best of luck. No hard feeling here as you are just a fan hoping for a team. GB = A$$G-Hole
Zoomo
May 20th, 2011
2:04 pm
Agree with Joe Friday that the rally has turned into a perfect set up for Bettman, the NHL, and the ASG. Oh, and that nitwit Kincade. Kincade will say “See, the Balkan was there and there were only 79 of you, so he went home” Kincade will blame the fans, again.
ZAvalanche
May 20th, 2011
2:04 pm
LAC – that last post may be the first time I agree with you. But I don’t want anybody muerto.
R. Stroz
May 20th, 2011
2:06 pm
LAC – These site has info you might like to see:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlanta-Georgia/Atlanta-Spirit-Sucks/114671988618038
DWTOO
May 20th, 2011
2:20 pm
Will be going tomorrow to have a few beers with friends – nothing more. Might wear a shirt with something uncouth so no media will take my picture
ThrashDawg
May 20th, 2011
2:25 pm
I just don’t see the use of showing up tomorrow! It sure seems like the deal is done and would not matter if there were 20,000 people that show. Like I have said for a few weeks now, the blame is being laid at the feet of the fans and they will spin it that way regardless of how many or how few show up tomorrow! I have even called my ASG rep today to see about the Select a Seat promotion going on tomorrow without a return phone call. Now, I would say that speaks volumes right there! How could you as a ticket rep look people in the eye and try and sell them season tickets and ask for a deposit knowing the team is 99.9% gone! On a side note, I have been listening to the Thrashers flagship radio station today and there has been little to no talk of the Thrasher potential move! Wow…they have nothing to say? Are we living in a dual universe or something?
Billcanuck
May 20th, 2011
2:26 pm
Great article.
I’m afraid that it does look like there have been months of “behind the scenes” negotiating – probably much of it to do with the Coyotes as the Trashers.
Similar thing happened here in Vancouver when the Grizzlies were sold. Fanbase lied to over and over again and when the fans refused to believe and stopped coming the ownership could go “see, you don’t come, we’re out of town”. It’s BS and unfair.
LitlPoot
May 20th, 2011
2:31 pm
So the owners of the Braves have $1 Billion to buy Barnes & Noble, but nothing for hockey fans…what a shame.
Mr. Heat Miser
May 20th, 2011
2:32 pm
See ya there DWTOO – for the same reson
RF
May 20th, 2011
2:32 pm
For what it’s worth, if the do sell tickets, and it can be proven that the deal was complete before selling those tickets, it’s a fraud lawsuit a comin’. Even the ASG isn’t that stupid.
ThrashDawg
May 20th, 2011
2:34 pm
I really don’t understand why the Winnipeg people are here anyway! Don’t they have their own blog somewhere? It’s kind of like a Jap bomber pilot attending the wreath laying at the USS Arizona or something! Jeez! Some people just have no class!
SomaAtl95
May 20th, 2011
2:34 pm
In the spirit of fairness Winnipeg fans, if you are here to be civil, please have the common courtesy of including the H in THrashers. The trashers joke got old a long time ago.
R. Stroz
May 20th, 2011
2:40 pm
RF – Yes they are and I’m COUNTING on it.
Wpg13
May 20th, 2011
2:41 pm
To Winnipeg=Poverty—-Ridiculous comment and you make yourself look silly. Here’s a thought….Have a clue next time you start typing in one of these comment sections…maybe a fact or two. They have these things called books, as well as many other ways that you can get things called facts. Might help you not come off sounding like such a doofus.
SomaAtl95
May 20th, 2011
2:44 pm
Wonder if King & Spalding would want to help with a lawsuit…
EA
May 20th, 2011
2:47 pm
Stupid Ben Eager is quoted as saying the team has been here long enough. 7,000 for the NHL. They aren’t interested. I guess he didn’t pick up on the ownership situation when he was here. Too many hits to the head.
SomaAtl95
May 20th, 2011
2:51 pm
EA – consider the source. Eager may well become the most hated player in San Jose…
ThrashDawg
May 20th, 2011
2:53 pm
I just wonder is Atlanta that much different than say Miami, Tampa, Nashville, Dallas, Washington or Raleigh? I hardly doubt it, but for some reason we always have the NHL crap in our corn flakes! Go figure!
SkepticalJetsFan
May 20th, 2011
2:54 pm
ThrashDawg,
I posted here because I wanted to clear some things up and to give my thoughts to Thrashers fans, whom I feel for.
Posts like yours make me wish I had come to troll.
And for someone who wishes to talk about class, perhaps you shouldn’t label Japanese people as “Japs”, eh? Pot, this is kettle…
hip czech
May 20th, 2011
2:58 pm
ThrashDawg, the only difference is the ownership/GM. Well, Miami comes a close second. But Tampa, Nashville, (for the most part) Dallas, Washington, and Raleigh all have (or at some point had) committed owners and a real GM.
We’ve had the ASG and Don Waddell.
Wpg13
May 20th, 2011
2:58 pm
To Atlanta hockey fans….It’s wrong the way you are being screwed around and we feel your pain. Sucks that you will probably lose the team and it sucks that we (WPG) have to get a team back in this way. We come to this site because of the incredible interest in hockey up here and just want to see what the reaction is….not to be negative. Unfortunately there are doofus’s everwhere and we have our share. That is NOT the majority of us by any means. I guess the truth is that while the diehards will definitely miss the game….losing the Thrashers will not effect the landscape of Atlanta or it’s heart and soul the way it did Winnipeg. When we were losing them there was a rally and 35,000 showed up. $11,000,000.00 was raised from donations that included kids piggy bank money. Jets sweaters are STILL are the hottest selling item here after 17 years. And just to add a few facts for those that don’t know…Winnipegs economy is in excellent shape, far better than many North American cities. Recession here was a blp on the radar screen….New stadium being built, new arena, new airport…When the Jets left there was a 62 cent Canadian dollar, no arena, no salary cap and no revenue sharing. It is a different world now and with the fans support that they ALWAYS had…..They’ll be here forever….. or at least til the big asteroid hits.
ThrashDawg
May 20th, 2011
3:03 pm
SkepticalJetsFan- The term “Jap” was a commonly used term during WW2 to describe a person that served in the Japanese military. It is what it is, sorry I struck a nerve!
SkepticalJetsFan
May 20th, 2011
3:14 pm
ThrashDawg, there are lots of commonly used terms from 70 years ago that aren’t considered classy today, that should have been an easy one.
ThrashDawg
May 20th, 2011
3:33 pm
SkepticalJetsFan – Rather than pick on a specific term used in my analogy, why not consider if the analogy fits you. I do believe it does and see no reason for you to post here unless you enjoy our suffering.
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 20th, 2011
3:34 pm
@Wpg13 Still in denial about how poor Winnipeg is huh? Saying Winnipeg is too poor for the NHL isn’t silly but the truth.
ThrashDawg
May 20th, 2011
3:38 pm
hip czech – You have hit the nail on the head exactly! We are no different than the other cities with our demographics, maybe better. It is obvious what the problem is in Atlanta, to everyone except Gary Bettman and the powers to be with the NHL apparently. This makes no sense at all except for money grubbing greed! What a shame..
SkepticalJetsFan
May 20th, 2011
3:39 pm
You guys migt have some hope left yet. Read towards the bottom of this article…
SkepticalJetsFan
May 20th, 2011
3:41 pm
Apologies, I forgot to include the link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/why-bettman-fights-for-phoenix/article2028684/
Thrashdawg, I came here because a search of Thrashers move related news lead me here. I saw the outcry and posted my sympathies. If you don’t like it then feel free to stop reading my posts. My thoughts on the subject, and my feelings of pity for what are obviously some great fans, are genuine.
Cheers
bravesfansince1961
May 20th, 2011
3:42 pm
Am I the only one who saw the irony in the ASG name? Many were not from Atlanta. They had no spirit and they did not act like a group working together. I literally cried when the Flames moved to Calgary. I tried hard to be a Thrashers fan, but for some reason the only time the ownership/management group passed the smell test was when Hartley was the coach. I freely admit that the NHL is my 4th sport to watch and I am still very ignorant over the finer details of the game, but it still hurts to watch Atlanta and Georgia lose another franchise. To the gracious Winnipeg fans- Thank you. If the Thrashers do move to Winnipeg; I will still root for the players I have followed here.
To Thrashdawg; Bro, Jap has been socially unacceptable since the 1960s. It is generally only permissible to be used by those who were alive in WWII,. So it is time to drop the vernacular (and I don’t mean a hat) and move on. I find the term especially offensive given the triple tragedy that hit Japan back in March. So I am asking politely that you use Japanese instead. Okay? Thank you in advance.
glovesave29
May 20th, 2011
3:45 pm
Why on earth would you go to the “rally”? The team is GONE. Makes as much sense to go to a rally for the NASL Chiefs to stay at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. Just gonna give the media something to kick us around about. Not gonna give them the satisfaction. Although we all appreciate what kracker did to put it together…it’s at the last minute on a beautiful spring weekend where many of us already have plans with our kids. The Winnipeg rally to keep the team 15 years ago was planned far in advance – thus the impressive turnout of 35K.
I contacted the TNSE CEO this morning to suggest placing the Moose here as the renamed Atlanta Flames. To say I got a curt “thanks but no thanks” is an understatement. True, the AHL is not coming next season – but I give it 2 years as this market is just too big for just the ECHL. With a team in Charlotte and a rumored one in Birmingham – Atlanta makes perfect sense.
As for ASG and Waddell. Well – I pin it ALL on the ASG. Dan was in over his head, but I think he took a lot of crap deflecting for his incompetent ownership group. His is not without culpability here, but we all have to respect anyone who can take the abuse he took sticking up for a bunch of morons he has to call “boss”.
Bill – thanks for everything. You’ve turned into a good writer and friend. I am confident that will continue.
There are the regulars here that are also on my FB page. Let’s not stop talking hockey. Perhaps we move the conversation over there. We may lose the Thrashers and the forum we have here at the AJC – but the good conversations we have about hockey need not cease. Due to all the trolls here nowadays, I don’t feel like posting my name here for the last few regulars who do not know my real name and not already friended by me…but please feel free to contact Bill if you want my name so you can join us on FB, and to be fans of the Glads and help the team rise to #1 on the ECHL attendance list.
RIP Atlanta Thrashers – 1999-2011. Autopsy will show cause of death as a lethal case of massive moron leadership syndrome
ThrashDawg
May 20th, 2011
3:49 pm
bravesfansince1961 – Bro? Way too politically correct these days I guess and do you really need to bring up the tragedy in Japan.. for crying out loud!
bravesfansince1961
May 20th, 2011
3:54 pm
Nope. Not being PC but polite. It’s a southern thing you know?
And all this still doesn’t cover the fact that I feel sick and betrayed by the ASG. But I won’t blame the players or Winnipeg and it’s fans.
ThrashDawg
May 20th, 2011
4:02 pm
Ok, I will admit you are a decent Winnipeg guy SkepticalJetsFan! bravesfansince1961 is right I should show some Southern politeness…just hard to do right now because I am hurting! My son was the kid who one the contest to name the Thrashers mascot back when the team first was awarded to Atlanta and we are both hurting today and have a hard time seeing or hearing anything to do with Winnipeg!
ThrashDawg
May 20th, 2011
4:03 pm
Edit…won!
Hoof Arted
May 20th, 2011
4:07 pm
SPIRIT GROUP SUCKS!
*clap, clap, clapclapclap*
SPIRIT GROUP SUCKS!
*clap, clap, clapclapclap*
SPIRIT GROUP SUCKS!
*clap, clap, clapclapclap*
SPIRIT GROUP SUCKS!
*clap, clap, clapclapclap*
SPIRIT GROUP SUCKS!
*clap, clap, clapclapclap*
SPIRIT GROUP SUCKS!
*clap, clap, clapclapclap*
Brian powdertown
May 20th, 2011
4:21 pm
mayor reed did nothing because he dont like white people.
Red Light
May 20th, 2011
4:51 pm
I maybe late in posting this from Pierre Lebrun, but here it is any way.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/8276/players-support-winnipeg-getting-thrashers
Excerpt…
Sharks winger Dany Heatley feels bad for fans in Atlanta, where he began his career.
“I don’t know why it’s happening,” Heatley said Friday. “All I can say is that there are a lot of great fans in Atlanta. A lot of great people that work for that organization, and if they move it, it’s going to be tough for a lot of people.”
And he doesn’t understand why it hasn’t worked in Atlanta.
“I don’t know. You look at the city, I think there’s 5 million people that live there. You think they could find some fans. I don’t know. All I know is that the fans that are there, the season-ticket holders when I was there, they were big hockey fans.”
Former NHL center Ray Ferraro played in Atlanta in the early days of the franchise. He has an idea why it hasn’t worked.
“I think with the nontraditional markets, there’s two constant themes that you’ve got to battle: One is that it’s a market that may not understand the game as well. And two, it’s that they’ve had zero success,” said Ferraro, now a hockey analyst for TSN in Canada. “Atlanta has had some really good players, they’ve hung on to none of them. … In Atlanta, we had real good support early. But they’ve played four playoff games in 10 years. Who’s going to go to games?”
Bowness echoed that comment.
“In a nontraditional hockey market … you’ve got to win, or show some continued signs of improvement,” the Canucks assistant coach said. “They never showed those signs. They made the playoffs once, and to go get Keith Tkachuk [for that 2007 playoff run], they gave up a lot of their future. And they didn’t win a game.
“It’s not the big names that will sell in those markets. Winning will sell. You win, and they’ll come. Like in Nashville.”
Swede
May 20th, 2011
5:00 pm
Why are they saying there is still one local group interested? Why dont they stop talking to TNSE and negotiate with the local one? Focus on the local. It´s just BS that there is one local group left…
ZAvalanche
May 20th, 2011
5:07 pm
SkepticalJetsFan – I do think you are decent and thank you for your compassion. We (even though I don’t live in Atl anymore) are passionate fans. I am glad you didn’t turn into an Uncle Milty and troll uselessly around the boards. See you in another life brutha.
Tonight’s game:
If SJ loses, everybody start queuing up the swan song – they are done with. Before the 2nd round I recall posting that after making it to the conference finals Vancouver was looking like they did all year. They had some stumbling blocks along the way but good lord is this team scary. I am still a bit surprised with the Tampa Boston series – but that one is going long so we will see.
Red Light
May 20th, 2011
5:07 pm
From a Winnipeg Free Press article about owner Thompson…
Norm O’Reilly, a sports business professor at the University of Ottawa, suggested that Winnipeg will be a difficult market for a team in the long term, especially if the Canadian dollar weakens again.
O’Reilly pointed to Winnipeg’s smaller size and fewer big corporate head offices compared with Edmonton, currently the league’s smallest market, as challenges for any franchise to make a go of it in the Manitoba capital.
“These are very shrewd and successful businesspeople and they’re not used to losing money,” O’Reilly said of the typical NHL owner.
But, he noted, True North also has some advantages with a growing Canadian and local economy.
“Winnipeg would really benefit from the optics and the branding of having a team come back,” O’Reilly said. “They could break even.”
Joe Friday
May 20th, 2011
5:20 pm
“Why are they saying there is still one local group interested?”
To keep up the charade until they’re ready to announce the Winnipeg ticket drive on Tuesday.
Some Canadians get it but I need to quit hearing about non-traditional hockey market when it comes to Atlanta. There’s millions of people that moved here in the last 20 years from Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, New York, Philly, Pittsburgh, and yes, even Canada, then any other southern or western city. This city has more traditional hockey fans in than half the clubs in the league.
That’s the crux though, we all came here with our original alliance to the Hawks, Wings, Swords, BlueSkirts, Flyers, Pens, etc. and the Thrashers were our “2nd team” and we knew hockey. We wanted to support it, but we knew that Waddell was incompetent and we quit spending our hard earned money in a tough economy until we got real ownership. We never had real ownership, if we had, it would have worked here, and the NHL knows that, which is why this charade they’ve been pulling and will pull about “we’ve been working for years to find a local buyer” is pure unadulterated bs. No one could buy that club or would even seriously look at it until the Belkin lawsuit was finished and that was less than 6 months ago.
The NHL screwed us here, fellas, just as badly as Waddell and the Spirit Squad did.
Thems the facts.