‘Friend’ of Clint Eastwood, Julie Andrews wants Thrashers!
This is Stephen Rollins. He is friends on Facebook with ...
Let me start by saying that as a hockey fan since the age of 9 and chronicler of the Atlanta Thrashers since the day the NHL voted in 1997 to grant the city a new franchise, it’s terrific news that the Atlanta Spirit is looking to significantly (if not completely) reduce its financial interest in the franchise. It’s a logical step, given ownership seemingly mentally checked out of running a hockey team a long time ago.
Let us just hope that whoever takes over the Thrashers comes with less warning bells than Stephen Rollins.
Now, I don’t know Rollins. Maybe he’s a nice guy. Apparently, he is an Atlanta native and a long-time Thrashers fan. Those are nice bonuses for a potential owner. But I wonder about a guy who has a Facebook page and lists among his “friends”: Anne Hathaway, Brendan Fraser, Brooke Burke, Cindy Margolis, Clint Eastwood, Jennifer Garner, Julie Andrews and – I must say — several
Clint Eastwood.
Brooke Burke.
dozen women who look to aspire to be the next Victoria’s Secret model, or possibly the next Joslyn James.
If you check out Chris Vivlamore’s Thrashers blog, you’ll read that Rollins has not yet made an offer to buy the team, according to owner Bruce Levenson and team president Don Waddell. He certainly wasn’t short
Anne Hathaway.
Mary Poppins.
of things to tell the Associated Press, however.
If you check out Rollins’ mostly obscure credits as an actor, director, producer and writer on his IMDB (Internet Movie Database) bio page, you’re left to wonder, “Does this guy really have the money to own a pro sports franchise?”
I’m not saying that I’m privy to Rollins’ financial portfolio. But there’s a significant gap between being wealthy enough to own really nice season tickets for a sports team and wealthy enough to owning what’s on stage.
There’s also this. According to Rollins, via Vivlamore, he would be part of a multi-city, majority ownership group with members in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and London.
Great. West Coast. East Coast. South. Great Britain.
Dude. We have enough trouble keeping up with the Spirit. Now we’re going international?
Selling the team? Great news.
Let’s just hope this isn’t Option No. 1.
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71 comments Add your comment
Rimfire
May 27th, 2010
3:22 pm
Sounded too good to be true…
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
May 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
1ST
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
May 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
2nd so close
Why did Julie Andrews...
May 27th, 2010
3:27 pm
…become Julie Anderson?
Telfo
May 27th, 2010
3:28 pm
it wouldnt be hard to improve on atlanta spirit
Citizen
May 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
I’m pretty sure you don’t even know him! So how can you sit there and bash someone who could potentially be a great owner for our flopping franchise?.. What, because of who’s on his friend’s list on facebook? Come on.
And for what it’s worth, I’m friends with Megan Fox.
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
May 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
Sixth!
patrocket
May 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
You might want to do a little checking on the Rollins family here in Atlanta. I’m guessing he’s part of that family. And they have plenty of dough. Plenty.
SNL
May 27th, 2010
3:35 pm
Steve looks more like Pat.
How many times, Jeff...
May 27th, 2010
3:38 pm
…do we have to tell you that nobody in this town cares about no stinkin’ hockey!!!!
Tweets that mention 'Friend' of Clint Eastwood, Julie Andrews wants Thrashers! | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
May 27th, 2010
3:40 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ben Wright-Thrashers, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: ‘Friend’ of Clint Eastwood, Julie Andrews wants Thrashers! http://bit.ly/9fgsbP [...]
Orkin
May 27th, 2010
3:40 pm
I think the Rollins family is pest control moguls.
Balderdash
May 27th, 2010
3:42 pm
Could you just eliminate the other pictures, your text, etc. and make the Brook Burke photo much bigger? Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
May 27th, 2010
3:44 pm
Why did Julie — Because my fingers said so! (Fixed.)
Jeff Schultz
May 27th, 2010
3:45 pm
Citizen — Really? You know Megan Fox? Do you think she would follow me on Twitter? … (Seriously, I’m more concerned with his finances than his Facebook friends.)
Jeff Schultz
May 27th, 2010
3:47 pm
Orkin — Pest Control moguls. There’s a string of words you don’t see together every day.
Jeff Schultz
May 27th, 2010
3:48 pm
Balderdash — Trust me. I had a difficult time finding a family-friendly Brooke Burke photo.
Balderdash
May 27th, 2010
3:48 pm
Seriously, he may well be part of the Rollins/Orkin family and that’s a multi-billion dollar company.
Balderdash
May 27th, 2010
3:50 pm
Or he could be a poser. Guess we’ll find out.
jtwillis
May 27th, 2010
4:05 pm
i didnt read the article because i was too busy starring at the anne hathaway picture…….
Observation
May 27th, 2010
4:09 pm
That guy looks like he has some sort of developmental disorder such as downs syndrome….
wxwax
May 27th, 2010
4:12 pm
Yeah, when I saw “film maker” and checked him out on IMBD, and also looked at his production company’s credits, the guy is less than small potatoes. Not a pickle but a cornichon.
He has as much credibility as Austin’s new Formula 1 promoter. Which is to say, lots of media but very little substance.
Especially, no money.
Next!
Smoothie
May 27th, 2010
4:13 pm
If some of you dimwits took the time to actually read Vivlamore’s blog, which has been updated several times, you’d see this is much ado about nothing. This guy has no shot as Bettman will never allow a cross-national, cross-continent conglomerate buy this team. The ASG was told by Bettman specifically to find an interest based in Atlanta or with strong ties to the city. I don’t think this clown counts.
Tucker T
May 27th, 2010
4:14 pm
This guy has to be a total fraud. Unless he comes from family money, there is no way he could have made the money necessary from his awful IMDB listing to buy a hockey team.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
May 27th, 2010
4:14 pm
i would get into hockey if brooke burke bought the team
jtwillis
May 27th, 2010
4:16 pm
ANNE HATHAWAY
Citizen
May 27th, 2010
4:32 pm
Megan and I are BFF. I’ll put in a good word for ya.
Balderdash
May 27th, 2010
4:33 pm
I’m all for a partnership of Anne Hathaway and Brooke Burke.
And, hey, maybe theyd’ want to buy the Thrashers, too.
Taylor Hanson
May 27th, 2010
4:34 pm
So Rhubarb Jones wants to buy the Thrashers?
What’s Moby’s take on all of this?
ryan
May 27th, 2010
4:44 pm
I’d like to see Henry Rollins buy the Thrashers.
Joe Friday
May 27th, 2010
4:54 pm
Shultzie, I ban him from buying our club for the mere fact his favorite music . . .to wit: Darcy Donavan, Paula Abdul, Bill Gentry, Lady Antebellum, Didi Benami, Gareth Asher, DJ Loli, Kingsley, Ashley Tisdale, Katharine McPhee, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Diddy, Vince Neil, Zac Brown Band, Celine Dion, Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift
See ya!
Tucker T
May 27th, 2010
5:01 pm
When I first read the story headline yesterday and it said “Rollins interested in buying team” I seriously thought for a second that it was Henry Rollins. That would be so awesome if Heny Rollins wanted to be the new owner!
Hillbilly Deluxe
May 27th, 2010
5:08 pm
Is Anne Hathaway any kin to Miss Jane Hathaway?
KornDawg
May 27th, 2010
5:09 pm
Looking for a family friendly Brooke Burke photo must have been the toughest research you’ve done in a while!
Joe Friday
May 27th, 2010
5:09 pm
I mean, come on. Ashley Tisdale? Really? no, really?
Smoothie, I think you, Shultzie, and me can put together a local consortium and out bid this guy. Heck, we got a leg up on Corky already, I’ll just tell the Spirit Squad that I’m FB friends with Pamela Anderson (I’m sure it’s really her!) and we’re in like Flint, fellas.
Warm Blooded Male
May 27th, 2010
5:14 pm
We can’t allow Brooke Burke into the Thrashers games because she’d cause some serious ‘high sticking’ !…..bah-zing !
Your Mammy
May 27th, 2010
5:14 pm
He looks like a fruitcake to me.
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 27th, 2010
5:47 pm
From where I sit it is apparent that Anne and Jane Hathaway only share a last name.
Ray Ferraro's Bobble Head Doll
May 27th, 2010
5:52 pm
Brooke Burke is going to be a Thrasher Ice Girl?
That is good news.
Delbert D.
May 27th, 2010
6:08 pm
6 degrees of separation stuff:
1) My mother-in-law’s 1st cousin’s son has won 6 Oscars for best sound/effects/editing etc., mostly with Spielberg movies.
2) My grandmother’s great uncle’s son married Jessie James’ daughter (no, not the tattooed guy.)
3) in 1863, another relative on grandma’s side, Whit Anderson, killed Atlanta Deputy marshal Tim Shivers in a duel in front of Muhlenbrinks’ Saloon (still there in Underground Atlanta.)
4) I once sat in a hot tub with Glenn Burns. Alone.
5) None of the above helps me one bit. I’m not buying any pro franchises.
The Truth
May 27th, 2010
6:13 pm
Thanks for the photos Jeff…..just give me Anne Hathaway anytime, man!!! woo hoo!!! But down to serious business, I have entered in your blog before and I am not seeing any clarity with the Spirit yet. I realize the offseason has not been long but still….it stands to reason when you have so many partners, there is not a clear vision. The mention of investors means what? They are interested in the Thrashers, the Hawks, Philips Arena, some combination or all three?
It is really simple in one way…Spirit, you love the Hawks so keep them. I am not sure about Philips and how it fits in but with your focus now narrowed, sell the Thrashers to local interests and give them a favorable lease to begin with for the first three years. Let them market the demographics and build the team…yes that means, lose Don Waddell (he has had his chance and then some).
Bottom line, Jeff, would it not make sense to narrow your focus on what you know and love and give the other entity a fighting chance? Have you heard of any notions one way or another???
Jason
May 27th, 2010
6:16 pm
I don’t care if the Thrashers are owned by a west coaster, a Yankee, or a Brit. I just want them to be owned by an individual or a closely knit family. This business of a dozen guys scrounging for change in their couch cushions to have enough to buy a franchise is getting old. If they really must own a professional sports team but don’t have the dough, the ABA and dozens of other small time professional leagues exist.
Tweets that mention 'Friend' of Clint Eastwood, Julie Andrews wants Thrashers! | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
May 27th, 2010
6:24 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by hockey nutz and Carina Elliott, Betting Underground. Betting Underground said: 'Friend' of Clint Eastwood, Julie Andrews wants Thrashers!: Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Let me start by sa… http://bit.ly/cmDd2m [...]
Dawg Man
May 27th, 2010
6:40 pm
I say let him. Anyone is a step above Atlanta Spirit, at least this fellow seems to actually care about the team.
James
May 27th, 2010
6:53 pm
Just somebody please get the team away from the Spirit group! Maybe he has a friend that will buy the Hawks.
Reid Adair
May 27th, 2010
6:59 pm
If Stephen Rollins was purchasing the team by himself, that would be one thing. This international “group” he refers to is concerning.
I’ll give him credit for being friends with Brooke Burke.
The biggest surprise of this article? Clint Eastwood has a Facebook page.
JSS
May 27th, 2010
7:11 pm
@ Jeff Schultz…
It is not whether he has the personal wealth to buy the team; it is whether he has the credit and largess to get bankers and investors to get the purchase done. As you know, the NHL always goes into this when ownership deals are put before the Board of Governors. So if he can pull together that kind of finance deal so be it. I’ve seen lesser individuals get enough credit to fly a deal. I’ve certainly seen it here in L.A. when it comes to film production deals, the problem is getting films distributed. Rollins is what we call a “deal fisher,” they seek spec scripts, development deals, and produce a small amount of screen ready projects. They spend the development window shopping deals (trading paper). Mark Pellington (see the guy shaking the maracas in ‘Jerry MacGuire’) has made a fortune doing this in Hollywood. He has only two big features: ‘Arlington Road’ and ‘The Mothman Prophecies;’ however he has this network of “friends” that is just stunning. So if Rollins is one of those type of guys (I only remember him vaguely from the ‘I’ll Fly Away’ days), then don’t discount him until the financial are put on the table…
gcs
May 27th, 2010
7:16 pm
I’m just glad to know AS is willing to sell the team. They can keep the Hawks.
Hopefully, the new owner will get rid of that albatross Don Waddell.
.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 27th, 2010
7:33 pm
Is that a pic of a guy or CHAZ BONO? He really needs a dress and better makeup
wxwax
May 27th, 2010
7:35 pm
If you need evidence that Atlanta is a small town, look at all the attention we’ve giving a guy whose biggest claim to fame may be his resemblance to the androgynous “Pat.”
JTH
May 27th, 2010
8:32 pm
Jeff, I gotta admit you lost me after that Brooke Burke photo. Carry on.
Delbert D.
May 27th, 2010
8:41 pm
Is Brooke Burke in the French Open?
Your Mammy
May 27th, 2010
9:09 pm
@Pi$$onaDAWG You nailed it!!!!!! Perfect comment!!!
Willy
May 27th, 2010
10:05 pm
Maybe with this guy we can start a “special” NHL and actually compete. I can’t believe nobody else noticed that the guy had downs.
Wayne stuck in AL
May 27th, 2010
10:31 pm
Going by his resume, Stephen Rollins should rename his company Miracle Pictures, because (say it with me, gang), “If it’s a good picture, it’s a MIRACLE!”
Brendan
May 28th, 2010
12:56 am
Oh well. It was a nice little glimmer of hope. For a while. Nice of the Spirit, LLC to quickly jump in to say, “this isn’t who we’re negotiating with.”
Jeff, for once it was nice to read a quote from Bruce Levenson that didn’t push the bile to the tip of my throat. Maybe Levenson can go “2-for 2″ one day? Whenever I see a quote attributed to Bruce Levenson, I get a Pavlovian craving for Pepto Bismol. Can I confess I keep a bottle on hand, instinctively, for just such occasions?
“Hey Brendan, did you hear the latest from Levenson?” “Hold on, let me grab the Pepto first. Chug, chug. Ahhh. Okay, lay it on me. I’m ready!” But ya know what? No matter how WELL I prepare for a Levenson quote. Mouth guard inserted, to prevent teeth grinding. Pepto and TUMS to coat the stomach. Tylenol for the head. Dramamine, for motion sickness. L-Lysine to help reduce acid refleux and cancre sores. Prozac, just in case Levenson ever developed coaching aspirations. Nothing ever really works. The bile still manages to surface. And to think, when I heard the Thrashers were being sold to the Spirit, I got excited that one of the prospective owners had PRIOR NHL experience with the Capitals. Segue to Rollins. I’m very pleased that Rollins is a Thrasher fan. We can’t ever have enough of them. But that’s about where it ends. For all I know, the ever-controversial filmmaker Michael Moore is a Thrasher fan. I still wouldn’t want him to buy the Thrashers. The scary part is, Michael Moore could probably afford it. And he’d be ‘thrilled’ that Philips Arena is LEED certified.
Sigh. Have we dodged that bullet yet? Michael Moore, if you do happen to be reading this, DON’T BUY THE THRASHERS!! AJAX and Clorox, combined, couldn’t get that kinda stench out of an owner’s box.
j
May 28th, 2010
1:09 am
@Delbert – no brooke b is not in the french open. But maybe you’re thinking of Sorana Cirstea, a player from Romania. She was on tv in the first round losing to the kuznetsova something that resembles that. http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/players/overview/wta312469.html
Big B CH 99
May 28th, 2010
1:17 am
I never have got why the Spirit bought the Thrashers, b/c it’s quite obvious that they don’t give a crap about Hockey. I don’t want to hear that a hockey team can’t succeed in Atl, a winning team could draw fans, but no one is gonna pay top dollar to see one of the 5-10 worst teams in the league every year. If they would hire a real GM and spend some money to put an annual playoff team on the ice, then I believe the fans would come. Right now, I don’t consider the Thrashers to be a real pro hockey team, I tell people I’m from Atlanta and like Hockey, I just wish we had a team (b/c the Thrashers don’t count).
10 yr plan
May 28th, 2010
8:15 am
I’d say sell the team to the Ga DOT or someone capable of maintaining all these “Bridges” that Waddell has built over the years according to Levenson. Worst job in America might be Thrasher Season Ticket rep.
TommyJack
May 28th, 2010
8:36 am
Jeff: A weak one.
107 days and counting
May 28th, 2010
8:47 am
http://tinyurl.com/32zooe3
Marky Mark
May 28th, 2010
8:47 am
JSS is a poser and everyone knows it. No bona fides whatsoever. Pfft.
107 days and counting
May 28th, 2010
8:49 am
what’s not family friendly about this one……………….
http://www.adrants.com/images/e79_kelly_monaco_maxim.jpg
107 days and counting
May 28th, 2010
8:56 am
Thank you JS, never heard of the JAP Brooke Burke, holy cow, is stalking illegal in Connecticut….!!
107 days and counting
May 28th, 2010
8:57 am
oh yeah, what were you writing about?
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Jeff Schultz
May 28th, 2010
10:15 am
JSS — interesting insight, thanks.
ChippersLoveChild
May 28th, 2010
10:20 am
Anne Hathaway is hot… even as a Thrasher fan that is about all I have to add to this blog.
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