Thrashers, Atlanta were never given a chance
Thrashers fans tried hard to keep hope, season after season. But the deck was stacked against them. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
(Updated: 12:30 p.m.)
This is how it ends: With the weasel of a commissioner not stepping foot in the city, with another season passing without a playoff game, with a lying ownership group maintaining it did all it could to save a franchise that in reality it spent most of seven years wrecking.
Atlanta has lost an NHL expansion team to a Canadian outpost for the second time. The Thrashers are going to Winnipeg just like the Flames went to Calgary in 1980. A press conference was held in Winnipeg, while the Thrashers sent out this warm-and-fuzzy news release: “The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have entered into an asset purchase agreement with True North Sports and Entertainment …”
This isn’t about the fans or the market or certainly Gary Bettman’s fictional “covenant” with fans, which I believe he left in the same sock drawer with his conscience. It’s about greed and abandonment, plain and simple. It’s about a disingenuous ownership group, which had long lost any semblance of credibility, serving up fans swill and gruel and then wondering why the turnstiles sleep at night.
They’ll tell you they care. They don’t. They’re walking away with a fat check. While you mourn the loss of a franchise, they’re waving goodbye with one middle finger.
The NHL is leaving a city that never really was given a chance. It’s going back to a city that it left 15 years ago and that has grown by about 60,000 people and a couple of doughnut shops since. They will be discussing this decision one day at business schools, right after the sections on Charles Ponzi and Enron.
Atlanta didn’t fail. The franchise failed. But the NHL doesn’t care about that. This is a league that survives on franchise fees and relocation fees. It collected $80 million from Ted Turner for an expansion fee in 1997. (He joked in the Board of Governors meeting that followed that he could’ve saved $70 million by purchasing the Flames from Tom Cousins for $10 million. Nobody laughed.) The league reportedly will collect another $60 million for permission to move the Thrashers to Manitoba.
In five years, when another failing franchise wants to move into Philips Arena, Bettman will be happy to collect another fat relocation fee, and he’ll deliver the same canned, phony speech about how he always believed in this market. The guy has told so many lies, it’s a wonder he’s not an Atlanta Spirit partner. (One postscript: Bettman referred to them as the “Atlantic” Spirit on Tuesday.)
Now living in Calgary.
There are hockey teams in Tampa and San Jose and Raleigh, and I could go on. There’s still one inexplicably in Phoenix, which the NHL is floating for another year, maybe because Bettman plans to retire and open up a pawn shop there one day. Is Atlanta an inferior market to any of those cities? Or does product have something to do with it?
There was no reason to do this now. When the Phoenix-to-Winnipeg deal fell apart, the NHL (which owns the Coyotes) was out $170 million. Bettman panicked. So he crossed out Phoenix and wrote in Atlanta. But why couldn’t he have waited a year to see if another owner for the team
Now living in Winnipeg.
emerged? Winnipeg wasn’t going anywhere. Was Bettman that desperate for the $60 million?
“I have absolutely no doubt that this market can support an NHL team,” said Bob Hartley, a native Canadian, a Stanley Cup winner in Colorado and the only coach to get the Thrashers to the playoffs. “It’s a huge disappointment to see the Atlanta franchise leave before so many other cities in the league. I loved it there. My last two years in Atlanta were as exciting as what I went through in Colorado. We had only two [home] playoffs games but it was a Stanley Cup atmosphere. But Hoss [Marian Hossa] left, Kovy [llya Kovalchuk] left, I was gone. It felt like the organization was drained of its energy.”
First player: Damian Rhodes. First draft pick: Patrik Stefan. First coach: Curt Fraser. First general manager: Don Waddell. That was only the beginning. Eleven seasons: one playoff berth, no wins.
Turner was followed by AOL/Time Warner, a bad marriage that was followed by an even worse one: Atlanta Spirit, LLC. Hossa saw no future here. Kovalchuk, given so many misdirections by part-owner Bruce Levenson in negotiations, wasn’t even sure the team would stay. Both wanted out.
There never was a commitment. There never was hope. There never was a plan — at least not one that worked.
A city just lost a franchise. While you mourn, they laugh. It’s nothing less than shameful.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
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1,115 comments Add your comment
Refman
May 31st, 2011
11:06 am
Goodbye CNN Center! All you businesses are screwed! Nice going mayor! way to step up for your city! Nice going Bettman you useless airbag, I hope you rot in hell. Lots of jobs and businesses are going to be lost because you let this drag on for years. I grew up in the Northeast and if it were Boston New York Islanders NJ etc youd be all over it, after all the NHL approved the purchase of The Thashers by ASG originally! Nice due dilligence! What a bunch of losers….my last $ has been spent on the NHL> Good Riddance!
Hockey, Eh
May 31st, 2011
11:07 am
This is the best news to us Winnipegers. If you people would’ve sold out your games this wouldn’t have happened. Shame on you Atlanta. Don’t worry, we will sell out every game no matter what. The NHL does not belong in most US markets.
Boom Dizzle
May 31st, 2011
11:07 am
It’s absolutely criminal what the ASG (Absolute Stupidity Group) has done with this team. They neglected it the entire time they had, then get rewarded money for making them go away.
If that’s not bad enough, they didn’t even have the decency to tell their own employees exactly what was happening….
Thrashers Fan
May 31st, 2011
11:09 am
We will get another NHL team in 15 years.
JoeFan
May 31st, 2011
11:09 am
No mourning here. The Trashers are just an entertainment product that not enough patrons wish to pay to see. I can’t blame anyone for not going. The product was inferior at best. Life will go on and Atlanta will not cease to exist.
Wes
May 31st, 2011
11:10 am
I would have loved to have went to a game for the novelty of it, but it shows how much I cared that I never went. Hockey sucks. It is only a tad bit better then watching soccer. If we lose the Braves or Falcons, or even the Hawks, I’ll care. Can’t muster up a single bad feeling about them leaving. Canada deserves them more than we do since they seem to be in love with this ridiculous sport.
guest
May 31st, 2011
11:10 am
Canada has been getting the shaft regularly as far as new teams go. the NHL actually would rather spend money to prop-up a dying franchise in Phoenix year after year than let them go to Hamilton, ONT
Hawksfan
May 31st, 2011
11:10 am
Good riddance to a crappy franchise. Sorry we don’t do Hockey in the south.
Billsen
May 31st, 2011
11:11 am
I will never, ever step foot in that building again. Thanks for crushing my soul, ASG.
Miami Screaming Eagle
May 31st, 2011
11:11 am
Hawksfan-remember, you still have ASG to deal with you idiot!!!!!
This all goes on ASG owners, Don Waddell and our good for nothing mayor.
Never a dime to ASG again or to any other Atlanta sports team.
The city and sports teams do not get my money?
Kasim you LOSER!!!!!
Boom Dizzle
May 31st, 2011
11:12 am
At least with the Smiths, they tried but just didn’t know what the hell they were doing. This group of buffoons didn’t know what they were doing and didn’t care either.
As long as they own the team, I’m not setting foot in that arena…..
Mikey P.
May 31st, 2011
11:12 am
What do you expect from Bettman, he needs that transfer fee to keep Phoenix afloat this year. The owners are tired of paying to keep Bettman’s “Bastard” alive, because this gave him the TV contract from NBC and Versus. When Phoenix bombs again this season with no new ownership, guess who will be moving? I am willing to wager that there will be some changes to the new TV contract with losing both Atlanta and Phoenix, now Bettman will have to do a song and dance and the out come will be, Phoenix to Atlanta with new owners. Why do you think Winnipeg is staying in the same division with Atlanta’s schedule? Next year Phoenix (Atlanta) stays with the Winnipeg schedule for this year and Winnipeg slips into the Phoenix schedule making NBC happy and Bettman keeps the “Tribe” happy.
Matt from MN
May 31st, 2011
11:12 am
I will miss NHL hockey more than I can put into words. Sure, there are still the Glads, but ECHL hockey is nothing like NHL-caliber hockey. I’ll still watch the Stanley Cup finals, but it’s going to be a long lonely winter without the Thrashers.
Caleb Rule
May 31st, 2011
11:12 am
Well said. Ultimately, a bad product overshadowed us ever having a real chance to guess whether hockey can succeed here in the Peach State. Here’s hoping for the sake of many fans that good ownership brings hockey back so we can know once and for all.
TheMule
May 31st, 2011
11:13 am
Atlanta is a golf, football, baseball and NASCAR town. All other sports are just niche curiosities.
BartenderBart
May 31st, 2011
11:14 am
Crappy league office and crappy ownership group continually put crappy product on the ice, then blame the fans when they don’t want to show up. I’m sorry that Thrasher fans have higher standards than Pittsburgh Pirate fans.
Bettman, don’t blame us. ASG, don’t blame us. You gave us crap for eleven years. You didn’t even try. While Don Waddell was running this team into the ground you lauded him and coddled him. You abandoned us. If you had given us a reason, we would’ve been there for you.
______
Hockey, Eh – So if the Winnipeg “Thrashers” go 10-60 or so to start their first season, and then go ten or so years without a playoff win, and say True North Sports decides that they’d rather fight in a court room than on the ice, and they refuse to bring in good players, and just to rub salt and lemon juice in the wound they promote Don Waddell to head coach, you would still pay to see that?
Jeremy H
May 31st, 2011
11:14 am
ATLANTA COYOTES!
Too soon?
Thrashers Suck
May 31st, 2011
11:15 am
lmao at the Thrashers Fans mad at the Atlanta Hawks, U Mad???
foncused
May 31st, 2011
11:15 am
Was wondering if you or anyone else had done any research on the Raine Group, the firm selected to vet and find a buyer for the Thrashers and Hawks?
I did some digging tonight . . because it just seems a bit odd that we have several reports of multiple offers being made, but the firm allegedly not moving forward with the due diligence process for potential buyers looking to keep the team in Atlanta.
Found some interesting items.
First, they are a new company, founded sometime in 2010. While the managing partners and founders have some relevant experience, the firm as a whole is new in the market. Couldn’t open their website: http://www.raine.com/
The biggest question raised from the research is that Raymond Chambers, Owner of the New Jersey Devils, sits on the board of the Raine Group. http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/ex-bankers-start-fund-to-invest-in-media/ Wouldn’t he benefit personally if the Thrashers are moved to Winnipeg? Can we say $60 million relocation fee divided and sent to the owners??
Also found it interesting that Ted Forstmann, owner of IMG Sports Marketing also sits on the board and is an advisor to the group. http://www.businessinsider.com/eric-schmidt-investment-bank-2011-4?op=1
While they don’t have a big hockey presence, they do represent Alex Ovechkin as well as Steve Nash, Canadian NBA star. Forstmann was recently diagnosed with cancer and said in an interview on May 23, 2011: “What I want to do is build IMG,” he said, “and I’d like to do it quicker than I was going to.” He says he is in a rush for a reason: “I want to make a bunch of money now, stick it in a charitable trust and give it away.” http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/philanthropy-is-given-focus-by-brain-cancer/
It was further interesting that Raine Founder, Joseph Ravitch has been involved in several NBA deals and served on a panel for the NBA’s Technology Summit in 2009. But no hockey deals. http://www.nba.com/techsummit/bio_joseph_ravitch.html
I also noted that the other founding partner Jeff Sine was intimately involved with the AOL Time Warner merger in 2001.
So what does all this mean . . probably nothing. But you have a firm supposedly acting in good faith to vet potential owners . . yet the firm has a hockey owner, Chambers of the Devils, sitting on their board and lets see, who did we trade Kovalchuk to? Who benefits if the Thrashers relocate?
There is also a guy serving as an advisor who owns a major sports marketing company with a stated goal of making as much money as possible. Rabid hockey fans in Winnepeg, and in Atlanta fans want,a nd rightfully so, a winning team before supporting hockey. Where is there more “quick” money to be made through endorsement and partnerships?
One of the founders of the firm has done several NBA deals and seem very closely tied to the NBA and no hockey experience. Not that I believe there would be much difference between the sale of a NHL vs NBA team, but it would seem there would be more of an effort to sell the Hawks, because that is where their knowledge is with helping establish NBA China, the Sonics and Nets sales, and serving as a panelist for NBA tech seminar. Is it the best fit?
The other founder was a major player in the AOL Time Warner merger which, as a result of the financial disaster it caused for the new company, ultimately lead to the “unloading” of the Hawks and Thrashers to ASG. http://washingtonexaminer.com/sports/nhl/2011/05/atlanta-midst-another-hockey-death-watch?category=61 Seems like he benefitted in 2001 and will do so again . . . as a result of his first efforts. Got em coming and going.
Too many connections . . . too many questions. Why didn’t the ASG hire a firm that had experience in NHL transactions or at least employees/partners that had experience in NHL deals? Should we have hired a firm where there is a board member who has a vested interest in how the money from the sale is allocated?
I then also found this piece of information: http://www.schiffhardin.com/EXP-CS-PF-Atlanta_Spirit.htm It looks like the city was involved in re-negotiating the bond in November 2010. I wonder why the Thrashers were never tied to the bonds like the Hawks were/are? This press release goes on to say “This transaction allows our clients access to up to $125 million from the NBA League-Wide Credit Facility.” It seems as if the Thrashers were and continue to be the ugly step child. Humorous considering the following:
And this interesting quote from Seydel in 2004, “We have assembled an all-star team of owners with a great combination of local commitment, strong resources and significant experience in both basketball and hockey,” said Seydel, speaking on behalf of the partners. “We take these teams and Philips Arena in trust for the community, and our goal is to deliver exciting, winning hockey and basketball for our Atlanta fans.” http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2003/09/15/daily23.html
Big Bird
May 31st, 2011
11:16 am
As a Canadian I thought I would look up the Atlanta news regarding this move to see what was being said. Aside from “Booby oops I mean Bobby” it’s interesting to see what the fans reaction is.
When Winnipeg and Quebec left for US cities back in the mid 90’s Canadian fans from coast to coast were saying exactly what the Atlanta fans are saying now about Gary Bettman. I find it hard to believe that a local ownership group couldn’t be found to keep the Trashers in Atlanta. I believe the main reason for the move is Bettman has found a top tier money man in Winnipeg to buy the franchise. The new owner,after all, is the 17th richest man in the world. This gives the NHL a false front of having a very stable owner after all the criminals that they have approved as owners.
As the old saying goes, don’t hate the game hate the player. The player being Bettman as hockey is probably the greatest pro team sport to watch.
ATL Observer
May 31st, 2011
11:16 am
People should drop the Winnipeg attacks. Honestly, they really don’t care about us and they don’t live here (they just want a team again). And if we don’t live there, why should we care about or judge them?
Now, the Spirit, on the other hand, we SHOULD care about. They’re ruining this city.
Jeremy H
May 31st, 2011
11:16 am
@Thrashers Suck – Nobody is mad at the Hawks, they’re mad at Atlanta Spirit. There’s a difference.
JWB
May 31st, 2011
11:17 am
Why the slams at Winnipeg, a city you obviously know little about? They had nothing to do with your franchise failing, with the teams, the losses, the AJC, and the lack of local people willing to put their money on your bet that if only it was given more time and less Waddell, this would succeed.
The shots at Canada and Winnipeg are just cheap and bitter.
As for Bettman – Weasal? Yes. But do you think he is enjoying this? He did nothing to save the Jets – it was part of his plan to expand the game to the south. He put the team back in Atlanta. This is a double failure for him, and he knows it. I am sure he is choking on this announcement and would have given anything for a last minute local white knight – but the fact is 2 years of searching, up to and including this weekend, and one could not be found.
Miami Screaming Eagle
May 31st, 2011
11:17 am
Hawks suck!! all the money you get from ASG owners and the team still stinks!
chief of smoke
May 31st, 2011
11:17 am
Never ever going to see Atlanta Hawks again.
Rick D.
May 31st, 2011
11:17 am
No need to drag the Hawks into this fiasco. Surely the ASG sucks and are true slugs but it’s not by fault of the Hawks. I’ll continue to support them with hopes that ASG moves on and puts them in the hands of more capable owners with real backbones and savy respectable business decisions. What joke and bunch of liars they turned out to be. I really enjoyed the Thrashers… remember the “Hat Trick” the Thrash’s pulled off against the Devil’s this season? The house was on fire. The Thrashers will be missed in ATL.
krux
May 31st, 2011
11:18 am
Sour Grapes. I was going to sit back and keep quiet until you ripped Phx. We have had owners WORSE than you. Ours stole money from the team to support another business. We have had no owner for 2 years and our attendance was just a little worse than you. Before you go ripping into us, why dont you look into the facts before you write such BS.
Maybe its a surprise to you but Atlanta is reguarded as the worst sports team in America, by most in the US. You dont even sell out Braves playoff games. When the Braves played the Cubs in the playoffs a few years ago, there were as many Cubs fans there as Braves fans. The attendance at the NBA games are below NBA standards. YOU DONT support your pro teams. You support the FAlcons, as long as they are winning.
You are a 2 time loser in hockey. Sorry, we can by it once, but not twice.
BartenderBart
May 31st, 2011
11:18 am
krux – I’ll agree with you that Atlanta seems, moreso than any other city, to only support winners. But what’s wrong with that? I have a hard time understanding people who think you should part with your hard earned money to support a team whose ownership group is doing little to nothing to put a winning product on the field/court/ice/track/etc.
Falcon Josh
May 31st, 2011
11:19 am
Let’s go Gladiators?!!!!
Tincup9
May 31st, 2011
11:19 am
Jeff – Curious, how much of the reported $25M a year in losses were due to the ASG funding the Coyotes and lawsuits – or because of how the ASG accounted for arena revenue from hockey games. What was payroll in Glendale compared to Atlanta? Did the NHL authorize higher payroll for a team in bankruptcy versus the ASG who were committed to putting a playoff product on the ice.
Telfo
May 31st, 2011
11:19 am
well said Jeff. RIP Thrashers
da'boomer
May 31st, 2011
11:21 am
AMEN BROTHER JEFF!! This is my second go around with the loss of a hockey team. Unbelievable. Even though I am a native Atlantan, hockey has been my favorite pro sport since I saw my 1st Flames game in 1972. I am beginning to think I am bad mojo. I should start rooting for the Hawks. Maybe those over-paid losers will leave, too.
DawginLex
May 31st, 2011
11:21 am
Jeff,
How much longer before real registration is going to be required on these blogs?
Your Tressel blog has turned into Romper Room.
schmeckdawg
May 31st, 2011
11:21 am
Is anybody on here really suprised that an African-American Mayor would not support a team or sport that is probably 99% white BUT will throw all of his weight behind the Hawks in a league that is about what 80% African-American. No shock here!
Mike Phelan
May 31st, 2011
11:22 am
Why is it SO hard for you bone headed Yanks to understand that POPULATION DOES NOT EQUATE TO MARKET. We have 700k people and 700k hockey fans. You have 5M people and 5k hockey fans. If population was the only important factor, than I suggest you all invest in the Karachi Thrashers of the Pakistan Hockey League.
Refman
May 31st, 2011
11:22 am
JWB…Bettman did nothing to address the bad ownership in Atlanta when they were all suing each other at ASG..He was non pro active which a commissioner needs to be…look at MLB and the Dodgers! They stepped in and took the freakin team away from the owner! In hockey you are proactive by nature,,,if not go play golf.
Relocated News: All Winnipeg NHL related news Day 12 | Illegal Curve Hockey
May 31st, 2011
11:22 am
[...] Journal Constitution: Thrashers, Atlanta were never given a chance. Gotta feel bad for the city of Atlanta and its [...]
Sherry Taylor
May 31st, 2011
11:23 am
I emailed this article to Bettman, the ‘keeper’ of the NHL. Everyone do the same!
Eddie Shore
May 31st, 2011
11:23 am
Basketball ownership that had to take the unwanted hockey club as part of the deal.
Billsen
May 31st, 2011
11:23 am
@JWB – the reason for the “I Hate Winnipeg” sentiment is pretty clear to me. Trolls from the great white north have been posting much hate about Atlanta and its hockey fans. You don’t hit a hornet’s nest unless you want to be stung.
Personally, I’ve invested in two full season tickets since year one. I have bought nine jerseys over the years, I have more hats and t-shirts with the Thrashers logo on them than I can easily count. My office is decorated with Thrashers memorabilia.
So when someone who doesn’t know a damn thing about the Thrashers, the crap we’ve had to deal with and questions our loyalty, we get a bit p*ssed off about it. As you no doubt did when you lost your team to Arizona.
In other words, shut up, and let us grieve.
Rick
May 31st, 2011
11:24 am
I know people are upset, but I don’t get the hatred being levied at the mayor. I think it says a lot that he refused to be blackmailed like the folks in Glendale. The city and state are already struggling; taxpayers don’t need to be on the hook for a struggling sports franchise.
Chris
May 31st, 2011
11:25 am
@schmeckdawg
The mayor will care if the NBA locks out the players and cancels the season. He will have to raise city taxes to play for the arena to make up for 90+ open dates at Phillips.
schmeckdawg
May 31st, 2011
11:26 am
It’s pretty simple, if the team would have won, we wouldn’t be having this conversation!!!! Then again, if my grandmother had b@ll$ she would have been my grandfather!
Enjoy Winterpeg where those gorgeous summer nights get down into the 30’s and 40’s. Sounds fun doesn’t it!!!!!
Refman
May 31st, 2011
11:27 am
Yeah like Atlanta didnt have the $ to keep the team here…Get rid of the freakin deadweight at the airport the 400 toll takers and all the other welfare leaches in this foolish town Kasim did NOTHING! No support for the business community no leadership PERIOD!
BigMomma
May 31st, 2011
11:27 am
Sad thing is, with the possibility of no NFL or NBA next season, the NHL misses a great opportunity to earn new fans by default. We all know it just takes one good game seen live to win over new fans. Now that chance is gone.
I hope Phillips sits mostly empty next year.
dave pulliam
May 31st, 2011
11:27 am
Atlanta Spirit, nothing but a bunch of spoiled brats spending daddy’s play money! Appreciate your crappy leadership!!
Refman
May 31st, 2011
11:28 am
I hope the NBA and NFL both Lockout! Well be like Detroit…last one out turn off the lights!
dapperdan
May 31st, 2011
11:29 am
As a Winnipegger, I am very excited that the NHL is returning to our city. I take offense to the “doughnut shops” remark, we are very deserving of a franchise and really shouldn’t have lost it in the first place. Atlanta is what, the 4th largest city in the U.S.? If you can’t make an NHL franchise work in that size of a market, then it’s never going to work. I hope you never get another shot at the NHL because frankly, you don’t deserve it.
Smoothie
May 31st, 2011
11:29 am
“There was no reason to do this now. When the Phoenix-to-Winnipeg deal fell apart, the NHL (which owns the Coyotes) was out $170 million. Bettman panicked.”
Amen Schultzie! Hell hath no fury like a Commissioner’s ego. Making fans in ATL pay for the transgressions of another city’s non-support. And also because of a vendetta against a wealthy RIM stockholder.
Todd Go
May 31st, 2011
11:29 am
Well said Jeff. Unfortunately you’re preaching to the choir here. The only people reading this blog are the people who got screwed. The guys who need to read this blog are the guys lauging and smiling with the big payout in Winnipeg today. My favorite sport has betrayed me.