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
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
175 comments Add your comment
Anders Hedberg
May 17th, 2011
12:51 pm
Wpg/Poverty guy
I don’t specifically care about Winnipeg – I live in Toronto. I just want to see hockey where it belongs. Who cares what people say about Winnipeg – I am sure people there don’t care what some unemployed American says. They’re too busy getting ready for next season.
Last point on this fascinating topic. If Winnipeg is such a loser kind of place, what does that make the place that will lose their team to
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 17th, 2011
1:13 pm
@Anders Hedberg
So you’ve come here to do some Canadian flag-waving is that it? You need to grab yourself a Molson tune in your TV with the Moose Antler antenna and let Don Cherry tell you how great you are being born a Canadian. If a loser from a loser town like Toronto comes to a place cheering for another losing NHL to move to the Great White Nothing, what kind of life does that loser have in Canada?
G52PIM228
May 17th, 2011
1:45 pm
“If you think hockey belongs in the south,”
The problem is I’m not a pompous idiot that thinks hockey “belongs” anywhere..
G52PIM228
May 17th, 2011
2:32 pm
Nope I’m sitting here wishing I had a NHL team, oh wait, I do..
Pegger8
May 17th, 2011
2:33 pm
No G52, you’re just an “idiot” plain and simple. Any luck finding a job today? You head upstairs yet to say “hi” to mom yet?
G52PIM228
May 17th, 2011
2:37 pm
Still no words from TNSE, it’s getting kind of late to relocate a team..
Pegger8
May 17th, 2011
2:49 pm
Yes you do at $25 mill per! Biggest suckers on Earth! You are about to find out how desirable a place AZ is to live this summer with all the FA’s flocking there to play next season. Funny though when you speak to players at golf events, summer homes, etc in the off season, one of the benefits of playing in places like Glendale is there is really no pressure because nobody really cares and holds them accountable. When you lose the seats are empty, when you win, the arena is empty. Then in the next breath they say how fast that gets old and its such a treat to play in Canadian buildings (and a few US buildings) where the seats are filled and the arena is buzzing. This building in Winnipeg will be electric, no question!
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 17th, 2011
2:49 pm
Atlanta Spirit is probably finding out how little TNSE is really willing to pay to own a team located in Winnipeg and its dwarf-sized arena the MTS Centre.
G52PIM228
May 17th, 2011
2:55 pm
So you are saying you are super-jealous Glendale was able to accomplish what your tiny frozen cluster of Igloos could not..
Got it..
G52PIM228
May 17th, 2011
2:58 pm
“dwarf-sized”
No, it holds regular sized people, just not very many.. Not nearly enough, anyway..
Pegger8
May 17th, 2011
3:00 pm
Still bitter Poverty? Cheer up! The glass is half-full! I know its tough especially where you live, but you’ll snap out of it in a few years. Great vibe in this city the past few years, and today we are on the verge of pro hockey again! 73 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, refreshing spring breeze, clean air, and I’m on my patio. And the weather is just starting to warm up! God’s country! I’m sure you can find some “sunshine” in your neck of the woods. It’s out there is you look for it.
G52PIM228
May 17th, 2011
3:06 pm
Winnipeg is really too small and poor to support a big league team, the same reasons the jets left are still in place.. no suitable venue is at the top of the list.. STILL..
http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2010/12/8/1536097/nhl-relocation-winnipeg-quebec-city
G52PIM228
May 17th, 2011
3:08 pm
The economics just do not look good for a team moving back to Manitoba..
Can you really pretend Manitoba looks like a pot of Gold to 20+ millionaires/billionaires..
G52PIM228
May 17th, 2011
3:15 pm
“True North chairman Mark Chipman discussed the concept with Free Press reporter Tim Campbell last spring and it’s understood Winnipeggers will be asked to show their willingness to pay NHL prices for NHL hockey before any deal is finalized.”
So when does the ticket drive start..
Pegger8
May 17th, 2011
3:38 pm
That’s great G52, you just keep thinking small. You don’t live in hockey country so you have no clue. Kind of like how football players are drafted on their “measurables” and lost in it all is the whether or not they are just “football” players. Cam Newton will probably fall into this category – “measures” great but just can’t play football (the qb position) worth a lick. Don’t get so stuck on numbers is my point, “immeasurables” (word? haha) usually account for much more. There will not be an empty seat in that building at premium prices for all seats for years. Yes that’s speculation but at least I live in this market where people live the game. Yours is pure speculation as well. You have your Coyotes and thats great, I could care less about them anymore, how they do, etc.. Why do you care so much about a place you have never been (but speak, like you know so much about it)? I could personally care less if I ever hear about Phx again, too busy enjoying life in the GREAT white north. Come visit sometime you might be surprised. There is a reason so many NHLers return home to enjoy Manitoba and Canadian summers. They are second to none. You have nicer winters, we have much more enjoyable summers.
Pegger8
May 17th, 2011
3:39 pm
Oh and wouldn’t be surprised to see the ticket drive started by middle of next week….
Pegger8
May 17th, 2011
3:44 pm
And no, not “super jealous” of what Glendale accomplished, you are the laughing stock of the continent. I do not want my local gov’t bailing out a pro sports team. If that doesn’t speak poverty then I dunno what does! There is a reason SUCCESSFUL businessmen like Thomson/Chipman are avoiding that team/scenario like the plague. They didn’t make their billions by “accident”. I mean that team could not be discounted anymore and still nobody wants to touch it except to move it out to a Canadian market where it will make money!! Can you please explain why this is??? Good luck.
Anders Hedberg
May 17th, 2011
3:48 pm
Sorry G52, would love to talk – gotta run. Closing a deal this afternoon – buying another distressed company in your economically depressed Arizona. Wow have things gotten bad! It is no wonder you have so much time on your hands. Is there really no work where you live?
Winnipeg = Poverty
May 17th, 2011
3:51 pm
@ G52PIM228 That link to sbnation is just information that the NHL Board of Governors already know about Winnipeg as being a strictly minor league business market with very limited revenue streams. That’s why I believe Winnipeg is just a temporary stopover to a bigger plan, which is bad news for the Winnipeggers because it looks like future little kids in Manitoba will be breaking open their piggy banks for a future save the NHL in Winnipeg campaign like they did in 1996.
Pegger8
May 17th, 2011
4:06 pm
Enter your comments here
Pegger8
May 17th, 2011
4:10 pm
Anders, would that distressed company happen to be titled “Phoenix Coyotes/Jobing arena inc”??? You must have outbid my $300 offer! Cheers bro, stand proud!
Pegger8
May 17th, 2011
4:18 pm
And please don’t waste my time with a link to an opinion piece sporting some drivel on what or what shouldn’t constitute a hockey market? Is that the best you can do?? I can throw a bunch back at you that state the contrary. But sorry, I have a mind of my own and choose to formulate my own opinion based on the facts presented to me and the people involved. The NHL is failing in most non hockey markets, the numbers support it . Just admit it. People that know how to or have made millions in the past don’t want to touch Phx, Atl, Florida, etc.. if it means keeping them in those cities. Again did you really send an opinion piece to try and state your case??? Wow, I knew you were weak, just not that weak! This isn’t even fun anymore, I prefer more of a challenge….
Anders Hedberg
May 17th, 2011
4:31 pm
No problem ‘Pegger. No joke, these guys in ATL and PHX are burning money. ‘Peg is great city – absolutely love it. Saw some great games there and very much looking forward again. I am there on business several times a year. The NHL will do fine there – that is unless G52 and Poverty boy are looking to give Thomson and Chipman business lessons. I am sure G52 blogging from his mom’s basement knows more than David Thomson.
Looking forward to great things to come Winnipeg!
Pegger8
May 17th, 2011
5:27 pm
Well said, I hope it happens too! Unless you are Canadian, from the northeast, or upper midwest, you really can’t grasp how we live the game. Whether you cheer for the same team, or are having a beer and trading barbs with a fan of a rival, there is nothing better. I have seen games in FLA, PHX and it is a complete joke compared to the games I’ve seen in Cgy, Edm, Wpg, St. Paul, Mtl, and Chicago. You feel the energy and passion for the game before you even leave your hotel, its everywhere. Bring the game back to the people that live it. Yeah it is going to inconvenience some players to uproot, and that’s fair, but I just know they will grow to love it again and it won’t take long. QC, Hamilton, and Hartford next!
Would it be so terrible if the Spirit hung on to the Hawks? - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
May 18th, 2011
4:39 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]