Door isn’t closed but Thrashers’ picture still gloomy
This photo would suggest Michael Gearon (left) and Bruce Levenson have been passionate and dedicated owners of the Thrashers. Pictures can be deceiving. (AJC photo)
So now we can officially move one aspect of the Thrashers’ potential franchise relocation from the logical rumor to the fact category.
The AJC has confirmed that Thrashers’ ownership is in negotiations to sell the team to True North Sports and Entertainment, which would move the franchise to Winnipeg. While the negotiations have long been assumed, this is the first time somebody familiar with the NHL process has confirmed talks actually are taking place.
Does this mean the Thrashers’ move to Winnipeg is a done deal? No. Fact is, the Phoenix Coyotes’ move to Winnipeg seemed certain until the city of Glendale, Ariz., stunningly agreed to pay $25 million to the NHL — effectively funding the team — for at least one more season. But the odds still heavily favor the NHL losing its NHL franchise for the second time.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said via email to our Chris Vivlamore, “Nothing I’m prepared to say at this point.” But this is the same Daly who last week said, “I can’t guarantee” that the Thrashers will play next season in Atlanta.
Since I wrote last week that the NHL appeared to be abandoning Atlanta, unlike its very public and passionate stance to save Phoenix, league commissioner Gary Bettman has been catching some heat. USA Today, among others, weighed in with a similar perspective.
One other factor in the Thrashers’ favor is Bettman’s clear dislike for part-owner Bruce Levenson and the rest of the Atlanta Spirit group. He would prefer not to simply allow a sell and franchise move, whereby the Spirit profits. Bettman and the league understand that the Atlanta market has failed is largely because because of the way the franchise has been run.
But in the end, there likely are only a few scenarios in which the Thrashers will stay in Atlanta:
♦ 1.) A financial angel falls out of the sky. But thus far, no prospective owner has come forward with both a stated desire to buy the team and proof of his financial worth.
♦ 2.) Something falls apart on the Winnipeg end (with True North), or from the league’s perspective (other owners may be uncomfortable with the fact new local ownership for the Coyotes still isn’t assured).
♦ 3.) Bettman effectively stalls and gives the Atlanta franchise a one-year stay of execution, telling Levenson and the Spirit that the franchise can’t be moved for next season. It’s not believed the Atlanta Spirit could just walk away from the hockey team and throw the keys to the league. So it’s not certain what would happen if Bettman disallowed a move right now and the Spirit resisted.
There is no official time table on this. But given logistics and the fact next season’s schedule generally is released during or just following the Stanley Cup finals, there needs to be resolution soon.
By Jeff Schultz
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175 comments Add your comment
Matt from MN
May 16th, 2011
3:00 pm
@NHL-way to be incoherent there, man. Next time try not to sound so “street” and maybe you’ll actually make some sense.
Supes
May 16th, 2011
3:05 pm
I’m never setting foot in Philips again, so long as ASG owns that place.
I will never give anything ASG owned another dollars…for any purpose…merchandising, etc.
IF YOU SELL our Hockey team to freaking CANADA you will never be FORGIVEN ASG.
Um
May 16th, 2011
3:07 pm
I’m sick to my stomach. Furious is another word.
NHL2DAPEG
May 16th, 2011
3:07 pm
My remarks I’m sure were clearly understood by those to whom they were directed! I appreciate your advice though Matt from MN!
Supes
May 16th, 2011
3:08 pm
DG,
Get your dammed FACTS straight…the year the team won the division and had their only PLAYOFF appearance FANS turned out! I was there when the arena was just about packed from Jan to the end of the reg season and the playoff games were SOLD OUT.
This town can and WILL SUPPORT a team…but we aren’t going to THROW away our money and give an “ownership” group like ASG another dollar when they REFUSE to put a winning product on the ice, and spend money like they do on their fave Hawks.
NHL2DAPEG
May 16th, 2011
3:18 pm
The Thrashers need some Canadian content on the blueline! Peter Stoykewich born; July 14 1992, Winnipeg, MB! drafted 7th round 199th overall!
Tears for Beers
May 16th, 2011
3:21 pm
Here’s the thing: The fans of the Thrashers have been, and always were, irrelevant to this ownership group; the franchise has been nothing but an asset to be sold at the earliest opportunity.
Unfortunately, ASG’s penchant for suing itself delayed their sale for longer than they wanted. Now that the Belkin suit is settled, they can finally dispose of the the Thrash.
But during all that time, why do you thing the team spent so little on players? Why no real marketing effort? Why try to excel when the bare minimum would do? Because ownership has been waiting everything out, waiting to sell.
The NHL’s been played here by the ASG – who ultimately will walk away from the thrashers with millions in their collective pockets.
It’s got nothing to do with the fans. If there were zero fans in the stands, or if the Bulb was sold out every night, this franchise would be for sale and on the move.
BOYCOTT
May 16th, 2011
3:22 pm
Boycott all things that take place inside of Philip’s Arena, especially anything owned by the ASG. This is unfair that these cowards even had the audacity to blame fans. I can understand dim wits who do not follow what has been going on since virtually 1999 to look at the attendance and immediately come up with their dingers of profound knowledge..but these liars have no right to blame fans who went through hell with this franchise. I stopped going, like Jeff Schultz said..I wouldn’t buy a hotdog from these guys. Get THEM out of Atlanta, not our team.
PMC
May 16th, 2011
3:23 pm
The disfunctional situation that we all worried about in the beginning has been the downfall of the ASG.
They simply can’t agree on anything and it has mostly doomed both teams.
They’ve spent plenty on the Hawks but they’ve spent it poorly for the most part. They have an expensive 2nd round of the playoffs max type of team. This is mostly due to the fact that Billy Knight was a deplorably bad judge of talent and his grand idea of an ideal team was massively flawed. He chose to go after the exception rather than the rule.
The Thrashers they clearly never wanted, the biggest sin of the whole ownership may be the puzzling way at which they seemed to run the teams.
Billy Knight got to make how many picks? Don Waddell who wouldn’t know a decent hockey player if they lived in his home got to make HOW many decisions and then he was PROMOTED????
Puzzling.
How can they possibly expect a city to embrace teams that are so woefully unable to acheve even the most basic tasks of playing hard every night?
People like the Bulls because not only did they land a star when they had the chance. They play thier freaking tails off every night. You can rally around that.
What about these two teams do you see that isn’t phoney?
A collective mass of moderate to reasonably talented players, getting paid a ton of money, who don’t care whatsoever about doing anything but getting the game/season over with.
I’m not paying to see that, no one should pay to see that.
Sluggo
May 16th, 2011
3:27 pm
The Gwinnett Gladiators are still here…
Spirit, True North have begun talks | Atlanta Thrashers
May 16th, 2011
3:30 pm
[...] Also, here is what Jeff Schultz had to say about the news. [...]
ltf
May 16th, 2011
3:37 pm
I am from Winnipeg, and I desperately want hockey back in my city. But this situation is truly depressing. I really believe that Atlanta NEEDS to be in the NHL, and I am truly shocked that the NHL is entering its THIRD year of owning the Coyotes and fought tooth and nail for a team that has NEVER made a profit in the desert (if I am not mistaken, Atlanta modest turned profits in each of its first three years). Part of the reason I want the Coyotes back is that the history of the Winnipeg JETS is tied to that sorry franchise. I want a team, but not any team … just the return of my JETS.
Mike
May 16th, 2011
3:40 pm
At the end, I hope that Thrashers stays in Atlanta, but you know what, I wonder why this city has the worst ownership in history of sports in America, with ASG(Hawks/Thrashers)and Liberty Media (Braves). Thank god for Mr Blanka and the Falcons and who is owning the Atlanta Dream.
SportsFan
May 16th, 2011
3:48 pm
The NHL can work in Winnipeg – just a shame at the expense of another team. But yes – ownership has done them in. And G52 – go back to AZ and spew your rhetoric there. We don’t need you here.
Ken Stallings
May 16th, 2011
3:55 pm
With all of the vested money living in the Atlanta area, it is amazing that a honest, and dependable, ownership group cannot organize to purchase the Thrashers and keep them in Atlanta. Ultimately, it comes down to local support, and that includes both fans and ownership.
The Atlanta Spirit Group is certainly villianous through all this. But, they have tried for over a year to sell the team to a local group. None have stepped forward, and so next year this time it seems probable that there will be a new Winnepeg Jets franchise in the NHL!
I hope the people of Atlanta realize they will never get a third bite of the NHL apple! But, it appears the problem is that too many people (with and without the money) are aware and simply don’t care!
I just wonder if Gary Betteman will immediately realign the divisions to reflect the move? Perhaps New Jersey and Winnepeg should change.
Thrashers in talks with True North for relocation « semicliffordmatic
May 16th, 2011
3:58 pm
[...] Schultz(notes) of the AJC presents a few scenarios through which the Thrashers would stay in Atlanta, including: 3.) Bettman effectively stalls and gives the Atlanta franchise a one-year stay of execution, [...]
tim
May 16th, 2011
4:07 pm
The next Thrashers owner who says things like ‘can’t confirm or deny” is going out on the ice so we can fire hockey pucks at him. I can only hope that loser Wadell is standing next to him………they are all losers!
Matt
May 16th, 2011
4:07 pm
Jeff, write an article how AOL ruined Atlanta sports. LOL. When AOL’s stock was uber inflated during the tech explosion, they merged with Time Warner. Then they imploded, Time Warner then sold the Braves, Hawks, and Thrashers after Turner’s importance was watered down. Then Time Warner backed out of a deal with McDavid for the Braves and we’ve been left with a cheap owner, Liberty Media, while thankfully having a great management team that has kept us competitive. Of course worst of all has been that Time Warner sold the Hawks and Thrashers to the first group of idiots who had enough money. Now the Hawks are over extended with JJ and we’re going to to lose the Thrashers due to these idiots and their years of lying.
So to sum it up F%*# you, AOL.
scarybuttman
May 16th, 2011
4:07 pm
I would like a team back in Winnipeg, but it’s too bad Atlanta has to lose a team like this. Atlanta actually had decent attendances and made some money. The Thrashers fans have shown a lot more class than the Coyotes fans (and players for that matter). God knows why the league has fought so hard for that team – 3 YEARS – but nothing for Atlanta.
Let NONE in
May 16th, 2011
4:10 pm
Don Wadd just promised that no relocation is being considered.
We Wait On Atlanta To Winnipeg Talk | The Vancouver Canucks
May 16th, 2011
4:17 pm
[...] 1:49pm ET: From Jeff Schultz at the AJC, more talk on the Thrashers [...]
LAC
May 16th, 2011
4:18 pm
Great points as ALWAYS Jeff, Let’s hope something positive happens. Now if it were the hawks being sold, THE SOONER THE BETTER, nba is CRAP anyhow.
But I really hope something distasteful happens to levenson, That A$$HOLE deserves to be thrown
overboard, just like osuma, and I will GLADLY do it !
Atlanta fan
May 16th, 2011
4:21 pm
If the Thrashers are moved, I will NEVER, ever go again to support the Hawks or the YAHOOs who have destroyed this team and fan base.
Old stogie
May 16th, 2011
4:26 pm
I can understand the passion. But the small group of fans upset are just that small.
There is really bad and uneducated info on this blog. There is PAID attendance and actual attendance! The local team – Thrashers are year in and year out the lowest in the NHL in Paid attendance. The team gives away 3,000 – 6,000 tickets per game to local schools and charities. Shame on you J.S. For not reporting the facts. This is well know, as well as few teams on the NHL actually break even or make money.
ASG went to the city, mayor and other groups to help and they wanted nothing to do with this. The team has been looking for local investors for a long time.
You can blame this in the ownership, fans, whatever you want to make you feel better. The fact is Atlanta will loose it’s SECOND NHL team due to poor fan support. 2 teams really, can’t be all ownership – look in the mirror. Those in Atl who actually care about a hockey team went to Trasher games, there just are not enough.
To all those who actually care, you have my heart. Those who just like to complain – no comment.
Some teams have terrible ownership and don’t win and still get crowds.
Old stogie
May 16th, 2011
4:27 pm
J.S. And AJC – allowing the comments and threats of LAC on this or any blog is shameful and most likely a legal issue!
That is over the line!
Hip Czech
May 16th, 2011
4:31 pm
the AJC has something to answer for in all of this as well. Sorry Jeff Schultz, but an article in October at the start of the season and then one in April to end the year doesn’t cut it. But, as has been pointed out it probably wouldn’t have mattered if the Thrashers marketed this team to more than just the northern arc, or the AJC had real coverage…the ASG bast*rds would get their money in the end.
It is a shame….a lot of people put a lot of hard earned cash and a lot of support into this franchise from day 1. I love hockey, NHL hockey, but I am going to have to swallow hard to watch anything to do with this league if the Thrashers are allowed to bolt.
Let NONE in
May 16th, 2011
4:33 pm
Old stogie: with all due respect – shut your pie hole. You don’t know what you are talking about. ASG destroyed the Thrashers.
Darkhorse
May 16th, 2011
4:35 pm
Jeff-Can you or Viv look into getting some response out of the few publically identified people in town like Glavine’s supposed group or others as to what kept them from pursuing a purchase of the team any further?
My gut reaction is their may be local buyers out there, but the ASG is not willing to deal.
Former Hawk Fan
May 16th, 2011
4:40 pm
For the first time in my life, I pulled for an Atlanta opponent — the Bulls in game 6. I couldn’t stand the thought of Atlanta Spirit getting credit for the Hawks on the same day it became obvious our city is about to forever part with the NHL. I will NEVER AGAIN attend a Hawks game while they are owned by the Atlanta Spirit (what a disgusting name for an incompetent ownership group).
ATL Hockey Fan
May 16th, 2011
4:40 pm
The Flames were an exciting team and a well-run organization. I was truly sad to see them go. The Thrashers have not had any on ice success and they are a terribly run organization. I will not be sad to see them go. Although, it will be irritating listening to the national media trash Atlanta fans like its our fault.
Old stogie
May 16th, 2011
4:40 pm
Let NONE in –
Did ASG ruin the Flames as well?
I think you pissed – it’s OK.
Old stogie
May 16th, 2011
4:43 pm
Why did the Flames leave town?
TheAntiMe
May 16th, 2011
4:43 pm
You ignorant condescending hypocrites who insist on placing the blame for this on the fans of Atlanta should ask yourselves this question. If McDonald’s started charging $100 a pop for all items on their Value Menu and more for everything else, would you continue to patronize their restaurants to keep them from leaving town?
If you answered yes to this question then you either:
A) Have much more money than you know what to do with.
B) Are as intelligent as bag of rocks.
or
C) Are a total freaking liar.
For a lot of you who would blame the Atlanta fans, answer B or C would surely be the case.
And even those of you who are forced to choose answer B can surely figure out that McDonald’s = the ASG in this example. From the very beginning the ASG sought to provide Chicken McNuggets to the hockey fans of Atlanta at Filet Mignon prices.
DG
May 16th, 2011
4:45 pm
@Supes … it doesnt matter if the building is full .. if the fans are not paying NHL prices then there is no money to be made. There is not enough NHL fans in these places to sustain the teams. There is TV, Corporate sponsors, all of that in Glendale, Sunrise, Atlanta, except for fans.
In Winnipeg they have FANS. The Corporate sponsors, arena revenues, salary cap, revenue sharing, and strong CDN dollar were ALL missing from the equation leading up to the Jets moving in 96. Now, True North owns the 12th busiest Arena in North America generating more revenue then the Coyotes and Thrashers lost last year alone, then there is the Cap, the revenue sharing so teams like Phoenix and Atlanta had a chance, and the CDN dollar soaring and showing no signs of slowing down.
That and you have the 22nd richest man on the planet willing to sink HIS OWN MONEY into a business he knows will make money.
DG
May 16th, 2011
4:53 pm
TheAntiMe – Are you serious? You are comparing the Thrashers to McD’s? Cause thats what you would be paying for right? To see the Thrashers …. and $70-200 is NHL prices in NHL markets … $9-$39 is for places like Gongdale and Sunrise. If thats what you want to pay, better get yourself an AHL team to watch.
Darkhorse
May 16th, 2011
4:56 pm
This has been such a depressing situation. I can’t stand the fact we are likely going to lose our second NHL team because of apathetic owners. The really sad part for my family is we just had our first child(little girl) 6 weeks ago. Leading up to the start of this past season, my family was very excited about the changes from Dudley to Ladd & Co. coming in. We talked all season about how excited we were going to be in introducing our daughter to our favorite pastime.
I realize the writing’s been on the wall for sometime regarding the Thrasher’s future, but thought for sure the league and new owners would realize the poteintial this franchise has in this city when run properly. Alas, I guess I was wrong.
It just hurts really bad to be on the brink of losing this team the way we are. Anyone that’s followed the team since its inception and lived around Atlanta for the past 12 years knows the fans nor the team have really ever had a fair shot at seeing success.
It’s like a slow death going though these emotions. To lose the Thrashers the way it looks like we are about to, my family(27 fathers, mom’s, in-laws, nieces & nephews, brothers & sisters, and others that were quality hockey/Thrasher fans) will be done with the NHL.
Darkhorse
May 16th, 2011
5:03 pm
Whoops, don’t mean to say 27 fathers…ect….meant to express their are 27 different members of my family who are Thrashers fans and go to the games. If I had 27 fathers, there would be other problems on my mind right now….
Brian
May 16th, 2011
5:07 pm
Thank you so much Mr. Arthur Blank for being an owner that cares and does the right thing for Atlanta. I wish you could own the rest of our teams as well!
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 16th, 2011
5:08 pm
Nothing worse than Winnipeggers touting false facts and figures about a tiny outpost like Winnipeg with a population of only 730,000 frozen souls most of whom are poor and if they had any money at all would have escaped Winnipeg’s city limits long ago. The bigger question is will NHL owners be suckered into believing that anything has changed in economically and population challenged Winnipeg since 1996? Is True North really conducting a cross border scam about Winnipeg’s viability and the NHL is going to be the victim in the end??
tommyt
May 16th, 2011
5:09 pm
Truly depressing…waitin’ on a miracle…
TheAntiMe
May 16th, 2011
5:09 pm
That’s pretty much what the ASG has provided, DG. An AHL level payroll for NHL level prices. You may be fine with paying NHL prices for an AHL level team but, obviously, most folks in Atlanta are just a bit more astute than that.
lanier
May 16th, 2011
5:09 pm
and don’t let the door hit you in the ass
lanier
May 16th, 2011
5:11 pm
I spent 42K on season tix 1999-2001 and gave up thank god
Jefffrey
May 16th, 2011
5:14 pm
Maybe we can get a minor league hockey team and name them the Knights so all of the idiotic “KNIGHTS” screams will once again make sense!
5150 UOAD
May 16th, 2011
5:14 pm
Asfault covers the South. Grass grows all over the South. ICE lasts for maybe a week in the South. Hockey doesn’t need to be in the South. I loved the Flames, but these butt-head owners have turned me off from Hockey.
Paddy
May 16th, 2011
5:15 pm
This will also spell bad fortune for the Hawks as well. Fans have turned their backs on the ASG and will most definatly take it out on them with a vote of no confidence for giving their hard earned money to them in any form of entertainment dollars. This is a sad groupp of owners we have had to endure!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get the H-ll out of town!
TruthSeeker
May 16th, 2011
5:17 pm
I’m really saddened by this. I tried to get into the Thrashers over the years, but this horrendous ownership and management group made it almost impossible for someone in this city like me who isn’t a big hockey guy like me to embrace the team.
My heart goes out to the people in Atlanta who do love the sport and supported this team through so much losing and incompetence. You deserved a better fate.
TheAntiMe
May 16th, 2011
5:17 pm
Whoops, don’t mean to say 27 fathers…ect….meant to express their are 27 different members of my family who are Thrashers fans and go to the games. If I had 27 fathers, there would be other problems on my mind right now….
lol – Yeah, I can imagine Father’s Day would be a bit of a scramble, no doubt. But no, Darkhorse, we definitely feel you on this one. The writing has been on the wall but it’s very frustrating to see a city’s hockey team being held hostage by a group of millionaires who never really cared to begin with. There’s really not much the average fan can do so, yes, it is a sad time, for sure.
Bob
May 16th, 2011
5:20 pm
Part 2 of this story is that the Hawks are next. These boys (ASG) may not be smart, but they are not going to dip into their trust funds.
AtlFlamesFan
May 16th, 2011
5:22 pm
@ Ken Stallings
1) For the past several years, ASG was in court over ownership. There was no possibility of selling the team until earlier this season.
2) Owning the Thrashers without owning the rights to the building would be a very risky proposition. Your landlord would be ASG, who has brought incompetence and deception to extreme levels. The risk of eventually getting into a lawsuit against them are pretty high.
The NHL should have held their ground against ASG, making them choose between owning the team, or selling the Thrashers, Hawks and Philips’s op-rights.