May 12, 2011 :: 1:30pm ET Thrashers targeted as next relocation option
Focus shifts to Atlanta, as city of Winnipeg becomes desperate to land
NHL franchise
TORONTO, ON -- The topic of relocation in
the NHL has been so heavily focused on the Phoenix Coyotes lately,
that most of the attention has steered clear of Atlanta.
The Thrashers are in, for lack of a better term, trouble. When your
owners come out and declare a "sense of urgency" to find new partners
or a new ownership group, you know the franchise's current situation
isn't in the best shape. When your owners come out a couple of months
later and reiterate their "sense of urgency" to find new partners or a
new ownership group, you know the team's on the brink.
So, we all know the Thrashers need help, or they'll be skating in
another barn to open the 2011-12 season. But before you get your hopes
up, city of Winnipeg, understand the NHL will do everything in its
power, and search for every possible alternative, to keep the team in
Atlanta.
With the Phoenix Coyotes out of the
running, for at least another season, Winnipeg and True North Sports &
Entertainment Ltd. have shifted their focus to the Thrashers. Several
groups, some local, have expressed their desire to purchase the team
and keep it in Atlanta, but so far, none of them have been able to
come to terms on a deal.
"We are continuing to seek solutions for the Thrashers," Thrashers
co-owner Bruce Levenson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
yesterday. "I will not comment on any speculation."
That may not be what Thrashers fans want to hear, but that's the only
real update the team's current ownership group have provide.
Earlier today, Greg Brady (co-host of the morning show on Sportsnet
Radio's Fan590 in Toronto) caused a little commotion when he tweeted:
"Spoke to an Atlanta Thrashers player via text message. He's been told
to expect a major announcement regarding franchise relocation..."
Since the spotlight was placed directly on the Thrashers about two
hours ago, other members of the Thrashers deny being told the team is
moving.
While we all love a little drama, maybe the player jumped the gun? Or,
maybe the team told the rest of its players and staff to keep their
mouths shut and deny, deny, deny?
Everyone's now mum on the situation, having contacted a few Thrashers'
personnel within the last two hours.
Adding fuel to this fire was a story printed before the
tweet-heard-around-the-hockey-world. In this morning's
Journal-Constitution, city officials appear to be bracing themselves
for the possibility of a Thrashers move.
"We are aware that the ownership of the Thrashers is having difficulty
and they may leave," Reese McCranie, spokesman for Atlanta Mayor Kasim
Reed, told the newspaper. "The Mayor has had robust discussions with
business leaders in the metro region (who might) potentially buy or
join a team of buyers to keep the Thrashers here.
"He has gone through extraordinary lengths to ensure that the
Thrashers can stay in Atlanta, but at this moment there is not a deal
on the table that we can present."
McCranie also indicated that the city has
not been approached by the NHL about making a financial deal such as
Glendale's deal to keep the Coyotes in town for another season.
However, even if Atlanta was presented with such an option, the city
would not consider it.
So what about this "major announcement?"
After connecting with NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly earlier, he
told me via email that "any talk of a 'major announcement' being
planned or having been scheduled are false."
While the NHL has bought some extra time to solve the Coyotes' woes,
the League is now in a position to place more emphasis on the
Thrashers. That isn't to say they weren't a priority before, as
several high-end NHL executives told me they've been working steadily
with the Thrashers for some time.
Added Daly: "We are working closely with the Thrashers' ownership to
clarify the situation going forward."
And that's about the most significant update we've received from the
NHL surrounding the future of the club in recent months. Having a
better and updated understanding of the current ownership group's need
to sell the organization or obtain new partners will determine how
quickly the "moving" process becomes realistic.
I'm not doubting that members of the team have been given a heads-up
about the possibility of a move. It's the responsible thing to do. But
that doesn't mean relocation, which requires League and Board of
Governors approval, is imminent.
As Winnipeg waits -- on the border of patiently -- the League's
priority is to keep its existing franchise in their current locations.
Upon the expulsion of every possible alternative, only then will the
NHL allow any of its clubs to relocate. As for True North, they remain
the League's backup plan.
David Pagnotta is the Editor-in-Chief of The Fourth Period Magazine.
His columns appear every weekly on TFP.
