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
Bill
May 31st, 2011
11:52 am
The Gladiators bring more excitement than the Thrashers. Good Riddance to bad rubbish.
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 31st, 2011
11:52 am
T-minus 10 minutes until the NHL becomes the #5 sports league in America, and Atlanta becomes a 3rd tier city.
Reminds me of when NASCAR wanted to “grow the sport,” so they built the Hall of Fame in Charlotte instead of Atlanta, which is a “dangerous” city. Fast forward to today, when the Georgia Aquarium welcomes it’s 3 millionth visitor and a recent expansion of its campus, while the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte is firmly in the red.
Hey, let’s move a hockey franchise from one of the largest and fastest growing American cities to “grow the game” in a town where everyone’s already a hockey fan!
Hooray for short-sighted sports investors!
Winnipeger
May 31st, 2011
11:52 am
As a Winnipegger, all I can say (in the voice of Nelson from the Simpsons) HA HA
the gooch
May 31st, 2011
11:53 am
NHL I cant defend you on this one. You really stuck it to ATLANTA and should be very ashamed at the situation you let take place here.
Adam
May 31st, 2011
11:53 am
Didn’t Bettman see the support the Atlanta Knights received from Atlanta? Didn’t he see that we would support a winning team? run the owners and Bettman out of town. Thanks for the memories (oh wait, there weren’t any)! Unless you consider a death of a great player, star after star leaving because the owners were inept in all areas. Waddell staying on 5 years too long. Only 1 playoff run to show for 11 years and never really even getting a close scent at another. but we wouldn’t support them (a losing organization from the start that could have cared less about this city from the start).
Winnipeg Wisdom
May 31st, 2011
11:53 am
My condolences. I will probably go to games. But I will not celebrate this day. While I live in Winnipeg, I used to travel to Montreal to watch my Expos. I was there the last week of their existence. I am also a Cleveland Browns fan so this is not new to me.
Your hatred towards the owners is justifiable. I will spit on Jeffrey Loria and Bud Seligs graves if given the chance.
The reality and my prediction is: Winnipeg will be listed with Atlanta in 5-10 years as cities which lost two NHL teams
NF
May 31st, 2011
11:54 am
From a Canadian, I hope the NHL goes back to Atlanta someday. And I hope for everyone’s sake that they get a decent owner this time. It’s hard for a franchise to do well when you make the playoffs once in eleven years and fail to win a single playoff game. That’s just not fair to the fans.
Rick
May 31st, 2011
11:54 am
@David Hooten, I like the way you think. I would love to see a complete list of the ASG partners’ business interests so I can avoid lining their pockets whenever possible. They are the true villains here.
Cornbread
May 31st, 2011
11:55 am
I learned to skate on a frozen pond when I was 4 years old, in 1969. Not only am I done with the NHL, I’m done with the game.
hockeyfan
May 31st, 2011
11:55 am
I realize that a columnist’s job on a day like this is to console the fans and the community, but the Thrashers were in fact given a chance by the NHL, and Atlanta was given two chances by the NHL (it’s tough to lay the blame for the loss of the Flames franchise at Bettman’s feet, isn’t it?). Atlanta is a great city, somewhat of a great sports city (but it’s not rabid about pro sports in the same way that, say, Boston or Chicago or Philadelphia are), and, unfortunately, just not a hockey city. That isn’t to say that Phoenix is any better a location for an NHL team–it isn’t–but the NHL just doesn’t belong in Atlanta, as Atlanta itself, not the owners and not the commissioner (today) or league president (in the past), has established.
Yurtle_the_turtle
May 31st, 2011
11:57 am
Screw Winnipeg. Garbage town that it is. Perhaps Bettmen can go there an be a hero. Maybe ASG will be invited to a game up there as well. They’ll all be frozen in by September anyway. And, I’ll NEVER attend a Hawks game with these idiots running the show. Screw them as well.
Tommy
May 31st, 2011
11:57 am
And enough with this ‘Canada is just a better market’ junk. . .since Canadian hockey is such a slam-dunk winner, is that why Sather was trying to add another round of playoff games a few years back in order to get the Oilers a couple more home dates?
The Canadian $$ value relative to US is temporary, and when it reverts to norm the Canadian NHL teams will be racing back across the border. This league is run like a cross between a latin american banana republic and the mob. I love hockey, but why should we bother? I can go to downtown and get kicked in the face for free
Armchair Vigilante
May 31st, 2011
11:57 am
First of all, the city should have the balls to file a defamation suit against the Atlanta Spirit Group over their name. They sure as hell don’t represent Atlanta, nor do they resemble any kind of “Spirit” of this city. It won’t happen because the people of this city aren’t smart enough to do it, but they ought to be boycotting the Hawks over this move. In case people forget, ASG still retains ownership of the Hawks, so when you don’t show up to watch them play, you hit the ASG where it hurts them most: in the pocketbook. Bruce Levinson and Michael Gearon must be proud this morning; they have managed to descend to the depths of the one and only Art Modell. By the way they ran this franchise into the ground, one can only believe it was all part of their master plan. It’s a shame anyone who ever bought a ticket to an Atlanta Thrashers game under their reign can’t sue them for false advertising; they were NOT providing the people of this city a professional franchise.
As for you Gary Bettman, you are a disgrace to the very sport you claim to represent. Time after time, you bailed out other franchises. Pittsburgh, Phoenix…where the hell were you when this franchise needed you to step in and get us on the right track? That’s right- you were in your office, counting relocation fee money and TV revenue. My biggest regret right now is that I can’t convince DirecTV to take the NHL Network off my package and give me back ESPNClassic. You and your network can go to hell.
To the players and coaches that went out there and tried to provide this city with a quality product in spite of the smoke and mirrors joke of an ownership group we had…thank you. Your efforts were not lost on the fanbase that actually care about this city and this franchise. Hopefully your time in the hellhole that was Bruce Levinson’s playtoy will be rewarded with a more competitive team and an ownership group that genuinely cares in Winnipeg, or another market should you get traded.
In closing…just like it seemingly always is, the Atlanta fans are left holding the empty bag. Burn in hell ASG!
AngryRedMarsWoman
May 31st, 2011
11:59 am
Done. Whatever. I was an STH for 10 years until the crap thrown out there by the ASG just got to be too much for me to take. Bettman and the NHL did NOTHING to make it work in Atlanta. I wish Winnipeg luck – I hope their owner’s love of the sport equates to a great team for them as they deserve it after the screwing they took from the NHL previously. I guess I will never know because I am DONE with the NHL. A lifelong fan – born the same year as my beloved Sabres – who lived and loved hockey. I have even traveled to other cities to be at NHL games. CenterIce – check. The Hockey News – check. Overpriced merchandise – check. Overpriced tickets – check. Trips to the HHoF – check. NO MORE. I will just have fun watching my son play hockey in the house leagues and playing street hockey with him…..and telling him of a time when the NHL was great. I need a bumper sticker that says “Bettman Cured My Hockey Addiction.”
SCF
May 31st, 2011
11:59 am
@GatorFan
You haven’t been paying attention to the AJC and every other sports forum if you don’t understand where this is coming from… as Billsen (11:23am) pointed out, this has been coming at Thrashers fans from all sides for a month now and I empathize with them.
BartenderBart
May 31st, 2011
12:00 pm
RK – Yes, because if anything exemplifies American sporting heritage, it’s soccer.
just no interest here
May 31st, 2011
12:00 pm
just tuning in online to the Atlanta Sports Radio 790 the Zone , and what are they talking about ? College athletics . YOU JUST LOST A PRO TEAM ! I can guarantee you that EVERY sports radio station in Canada , coast to coast , is talking about one thing , and one thing only …
dobearsbare
May 31st, 2011
12:01 pm
John Kinkade will swear it’s the fans’ fault. And he’ll probably take jabs at Schultz in the process. Yeah, the fans could have shown up and bought more tickets, but why should they? There was never a commitment from the franchise for long-term success.
Tommy
May 31st, 2011
12:01 pm
ENOUGH with this ‘Atlanta is not a good sports town’ crap.. . .tell that to the 90,000 at sanford stadium or the 50,000 at Bobby Dodd every saturday in the fall. . .
in every market where there is a big college presence, the pro teams’ attendance suffers. No NFL team in LA? there’s USC. Losing teams in the midwest suffer as well due to the Big 10.. . or 11. whatever
Yes, teams in Boston, NY and Philly draw better. . because the fans have nowhere else to go. Use your brains before throwing out blanket insults
just no interest here
May 31st, 2011
12:01 pm
and a fan rally to show support brings out 200 fans ??? I had that many at wedding !
RK
May 31st, 2011
12:02 pm
A town of 650k? Brilliant.
Let’s get MLS in here and make it a 4-sport city again.
PureEvil
May 31st, 2011
12:04 pm
Let’s get MLS in here and make it a 4-sport city again.
I’m sorry but if that happened the WNBA team would trump a MLS team as the 4th sport. MLS is a JOKE!!
HandOvThrawn
May 31st, 2011
12:05 pm
@Bill, I am glad the Gladiators are in town (Gwinnett), but that does not even come close to NHL hockey. At best that is double-A hockey, and even then its too far away for most in Atlanta. Not even close…
CBuck
May 31st, 2011
12:06 pm
As disappointed as I am, this actually simplifies my life. I can now stop following the NHL and can stop giving any of my money to the Hawks (i.e. Atlanta Spirit). I’ll probably still watch some NBA games on TV (and occasional Hawk games) but I won’t be attending any or buying any merchandise until the Hawks are sold.
SalGovernalelovesRichardChristy
May 31st, 2011
12:06 pm
Jeff: Wish you had not bashed Winnipeg. We Atlantans are better than that.
Apart from that, superb article. I will not buy Hawks tickets as long as ASG are in charge. Those bozos (ASG) need to leave town.
Thanks to all in the Thrashers family (players, coaches, commentators, etc.) for all the memories.
Mark
May 31st, 2011
12:06 pm
Boycott all events at Phillips, I will never set foot in that building for anything….Spirit can go to hell….
BartenderBart
May 31st, 2011
12:07 pm
Ryan – ” Hockey belongs in Canada and it doesn’t belong in Atlanta, there’s no ice there.”
____
Because there is soooo much ice in Tampa, and Raleigh, and Miami, and Nashville, and Dallas, and LA, and Anaheim, and San Jose, right?
Ryan
May 31st, 2011
12:08 pm
You just called Calgary and Winnipeg “outposts” in one sentence. Hockey belongs in Canada and it doesn’t belong in Atlanta, there’s no ice there. All the hockey fans in Atlanta played on the Thrashers, and they’re Canadian. Canada says thanks for the two farm teams, Atlanta. I feel bad for you, but way happier for Winnipeg. You guys shoulda put up bigger numbers if you wanted your hockey team so bad, all we saw on Canada on TV were empty seats when they cost like 10$ and came with a free hot dog.
( o )( o )
May 31st, 2011
12:09 pm
Link press conference here
(Since I can’t seem to find one on the AJC’s website. Go figure that one, huh?)
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/True-North-calls-press-conference-for-this-morning-122858484.html
Train
May 31st, 2011
12:09 pm
Gearon crying like the little b*tch he is on 680 right now. I’m so tired of the spin of these idiots. They have ruined one franchise and have caused the other one to be stuck in one gear. I pray they sell the hawks as well and leave this city forever.
Anders Hedberg
May 31st, 2011
12:09 pm
Tommy,
Send your opinions to David Thomson and Mark Chipman. I am sure they would take your opinions into consideration. I am sure there is a lot you could teach these guys about business, one of which has a net worth of $23 Billion. Better hurry though – the announcement is minutes away.
Nobody Cares
May 31st, 2011
12:10 pm
only 250 people came to that lame “Keep The Thrashers Rally” that shows that ATL doesn’t give a damn about Hockey,
Rutherford Seydel, the drunk dufus of Peachtree
May 31st, 2011
12:10 pm
Just want to let you all know that I’m doing the duck walk in the halls of my condo this morning. F you all if you don’t like it!
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 31st, 2011
12:12 pm
100 years ago today, the Titanic set sail on its first and last voyage.
Just sayin’.
Melissa W.
May 31st, 2011
12:12 pm
How where they not given a chance? The team was there for 11 or 12 seasons in a market that clearly doesn’t support professional sports. Look at the Atlanta Braves and their attendance at times. They were the best team in baseball for a number of years and they had some of the worst attendance records. Fans didn’t support the team, plain and simple. I doubt the team would be moving if they had consistent sellouts.
Matt Ryan
May 31st, 2011
12:13 pm
Atlanta is not a PRO sports town
For years the Braves were a top team yet in the playoffs there were empty seats.
CrazyDiamond
May 31st, 2011
12:13 pm
Happiest day in Geron’s life: When he bought the thrashers.
Second happiest day: When he sold the Thrashers.
just no interest here
May 31st, 2011
12:14 pm
” NHL SELECTS WINNIPEG ” , ” PHOENIX , YOUR NOW ON THE CLOCK !!! “
HockeyLove
May 31st, 2011
12:14 pm
Thanks for telling the truth for us, Jeff. I was an occasional reader in the past, but you’ve gained one loyal reader for life through all this mess.
Bye Bye Thrashers??? - Page 7 - City-Data Forum
May 31st, 2011
12:15 pm
[...] Shultz gives a good summation of the events that led up to today: Thrashers, Atlanta were never given a chance by NHL, Spirit | Jeff Schultz [...]
RK
May 31st, 2011
12:15 pm
Sacramento did a lot better with their rally to keep the Kings…
timthebrave
May 31st, 2011
12:15 pm
This is about money….so that’s what I will make it about as well…I will not attend anymore Hawks games or even concerts at Phillips arena until those losers from the Spirit Group have no part to do with it….I also have quit watching NHL hockey forever. Good bye thrashers…I will miss watching hockey and wish we had owners that would give it an honest try as opposed to trying to get rid of them since day 1. F*** you spirit group
Horsehockey
May 31st, 2011
12:16 pm
Gearon crying. At least he’ll have a pile of cash to dry his eyes with.
W
May 31st, 2011
12:16 pm
Anyone listening to Gearon crying on 680 the fan? LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.
Kasim Reed
May 31st, 2011
12:17 pm
Just keep the free Hawks tickets coming Gearon! Otherwise, I might open my mouth.
Kelly
May 31st, 2011
12:17 pm
This news takes me back to 1980…I’m sorry for the families of Thrashers staff and players as well as the fans who have supported the team. Having gone through this experience, I know how lost they are feeling right now.
Lambert Gone Fishin'
May 31st, 2011
12:19 pm
No angst toward Winnipeg from me. Congrats guys…I remember how great it was when the Thrash came to ATL, so I know the feeling.
Plenty of angst for Spirit and Bettman. Not one cent of mine or my children’s will go to anything involving the Hawks or Philips Arena until the ASG no longer owns them. No concerts…nothing. A complete boycott. Time for some payback..small though it is.
And hello to my new team, the Glads. I won’t follow the Winnipeg team…no offense to players or the city…by I’m a home town guy, and the Glads are now my home town team. My kids were set to grow up watching god knows how many Thrashers games, and now all that will go to the Glads….and absolutely ZERO will go to anything reated to the ASG.
AngryRedMarsWoman
May 31st, 2011
12:19 pm
The smug look on Bettman’s face says it all. What a POS. Good luck to Winnipeg, but keep your vaseline handy because so long as that man is in charge every community with an NHL team is in danger of taking it up the backdoor.
atlthrasher
May 31st, 2011
12:19 pm
Bobby Walden: If you have kids, and if one of them gets stricken with Cancer. Who Cares? Move on right?
Scott Case
May 31st, 2011
12:20 pm
Atlanta is not a hockey town, never will be. Good riddance to this sham of a franchise