Post by bcmike on Feb 14, 2011 0:47:24 GMT -5
www.arthurblankbuythethrashers.com/
An Open Letter to Arthur Blank:
Dear Mr. Blank,
Rarely does an opportunity to be a hero occur more than once in a lifetime. The City of Atlanta needs your help once again. Your purchase of the Atlanta Falcons transformed our NFL franchise from being irrelevant to a vital and important part of our community. You demonstrated your civic pride in a very real way and applied your business knowledge to make the Falcons a premiere franchise.
You defied the skeptics by turning an unstable franchise into a profitable winner. At one point in their less than proud pre-Blank history, the Falcons were rumored to be moving to Jacksonville. Mr. Blank, your initiative and skills saved the Falcons and made us proud of our team and our city. I believe you could do the same for hockey in Atlanta by investing in Atlanta Thrashers (taking a minority stake).
My father and I, along with my brother, spent countless hours talking about, and attending Atlanta Flames games when I was a kid. I was twelve years old when the Flames packed their bags for Calgary. I, like countless little hockey fans in Atlanta, was heartbroken when the ‘Flame’ was put out in 1980. I cried when the Flames left. The heralded coming of the "Ice Age" ended abruptly and was a blow to our civic pride.
I am now 44 years old and I fear there is a real possibility that within a few short months, our civic pride will be hurt again and thousands of young hockey fans will cry when they find out there will be no Thrashers games to attend anymore with their fathers and mothers. Mr. Blank, you have an opportunity to save hockey in Atlanta. Our beloved Atlanta Thrashers, of the National Hockey League, are in desperate need of a hero. You have an opportunity to be that hero for our city and thousands of kids; kids who would be heartbroken should their parents have to tell them the NHL’s Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg, or somewhere north of the border.
When the Flames left for Calgary, youth and adult amateur hockey programs suffered and rinks closed. At the lowest point, we had to practice and play our youth hockey "home" games in Chattanooga, TN. Such was our dedication and commitment to the game. Youth hockey and adult hockey programs are thriving today in Atlanta, providing another source of parent and child interaction, not to mention a great source of exercise, and a healthy way to relieve stress. Mr. Blank, youth hockey programs predictably will suffer if Atlanta loses our NHL franchise.
Countless hockey players around the globe remember, with great respect and admiration, our "hockey moms and dads" getting up routinely at odd hours to take us to a 5:45 a.m. practice or game. Hockey, like football, helps build relationships, and builds character in young men. Leaders learn to lead in pee-wee hockey games. One of my pee-wee hockey teammates is currently the GM of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild – I own my own money management firm. America needs all the leaders it can get in today’s razor-thin margin, and ultra-competitive world.
The history of the Thrashers and Atlanta Flames is well documented, but a few points may help you understand why an NHL franchise in Atlanta is a diamond in the rough, waiting to be polished by a well-respected, proven, and capable owner like you. How can anyone say Atlanta is a bad hockey town? There has been little to cheer about. The Flames never won a playoff series in eight years. The Thrashers have never won a single playoff game; in fact, the Thrashers have only made the playoffs once in their history. If the Falcons did not have their winning seasons and playoff appearances, we would in all likelihood return to the days of local TV blackouts.
Philips Arena was packed to the rafters for the Thrashers’ playoff games despite being swept by the New York Rangers. There was rampant fan enthusiasm. The fans were in their seats ten minutes before the puck dropped chanting, “Let’s Go Thrashers!” Imagine that, Atlanta sports fans arriving for a game early! Mr. Blank, you can make this work.
“You can talk all you want about whether or not Atlanta is a good hockey market. When you don't win any playoff games for a decade, the market isn't the issue, it's the team.”
Scott Burnside, ESPN.com, February 2011
The NHL does not want to lose the eighth largest TV market in the United States. The ongoing, sad, and litigious history of the Thrashers’ current ownership group has contributed to the alienation of the local fan base. The Thrashers have operated on a shoe-string budget trying to remain competitive with the 29th lowest payroll in a thirty-team league.
With some shrewd negotiating and support from Atlanta hockey fans, Mr. Bettman, Commissioner of the NHL, may be willing to work with you to purchase a minority stake in the team at a very reasonable price. Be assured that every sports fan in Atlanta would immediately conclude that you would build a winning team, by understanding what fans expect, supporting good management, and utilizing your marketing experience. Your involvement would increase the value of the franchise overnight.
“If Atlanta loses its second NHL franchise, it won’t be because the sport failed here. It will be because ownership and management failed.”
Jeff Schultz, AJC, January 2011
Current Thrashers GM, Rick Dudley, has been enhancing the roster for less than two years. Mr. Dudley helped build Stanley Cup teams in Tampa Bay and Chicago. Mr. Blank, the Thrashers are a truly undervalued asset. Imagine what the Thrashers will be worth after Rick Dudley builds them into a Stanley Cup contender. Imagine the faces on the kids in Centennial Park when they get to have their picture taken next to Lord Stanley’s Cup. Both the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Lightening have won the Cup – why not Atlanta? Mr. Blank, you can make it happen.
“Dudley, widely acknowledged as one of the best judges of hockey talent in the game, figures the Thrashers have 14 pieces "of what could be an elite team.”
Scott Burnside, ESPN.com, February 2011
The building blocks to increase the value of the Thrashers are in place. The Thrashers, in addition to having a well respected GM, have a coach, Craig Ramsey, who is held in high regard by his peers. The roster includes some young and budding stars, like Evander Kane, Alexander Burmistrov, Zack Bogosian, and Andre Pavelic in goal. Philips arena is already in place and remains one of the best hockey venues on the planet when comes to the sightlines for fans. Oh, as you know, the rink is an easy nine-iron way from the Georgia Dome.
“We've shown that we can be a good hockey team. I know we're going to be a very good team."
Rick Dudley, ESPN.com, February 2011
Obviously I am an ardent hockey fan, but I am merely one of many. Beyond the fan appeal I am a businessman and there is a desire on my part to avoid the specter of losing two NHL teams in the span of 31 years. This would not enhance Atlanta's image or our belief that we are truly "Major League" by having four major sport franchises. If the Thrashers depart, our ice rinks will eventually close as they did when the Flames left. This would be a devastating blow to youth hockey programs.
“One thing I do know is whether they sell part of the team, all of it, whatever, we can make it a much more viable product for whomever.”
Rick Dudley, AJC, February 2011
I realize your success in life results in receiving many requests involving your time and money. Hopefully you will see some merit in my proposal from both a civic and investment point of view. Please be assured that you have earned my respect and appreciation for all you have already done to make Atlanta a better place to live.
An Open Letter to Arthur Blank:
Dear Mr. Blank,
Rarely does an opportunity to be a hero occur more than once in a lifetime. The City of Atlanta needs your help once again. Your purchase of the Atlanta Falcons transformed our NFL franchise from being irrelevant to a vital and important part of our community. You demonstrated your civic pride in a very real way and applied your business knowledge to make the Falcons a premiere franchise.
You defied the skeptics by turning an unstable franchise into a profitable winner. At one point in their less than proud pre-Blank history, the Falcons were rumored to be moving to Jacksonville. Mr. Blank, your initiative and skills saved the Falcons and made us proud of our team and our city. I believe you could do the same for hockey in Atlanta by investing in Atlanta Thrashers (taking a minority stake).
My father and I, along with my brother, spent countless hours talking about, and attending Atlanta Flames games when I was a kid. I was twelve years old when the Flames packed their bags for Calgary. I, like countless little hockey fans in Atlanta, was heartbroken when the ‘Flame’ was put out in 1980. I cried when the Flames left. The heralded coming of the "Ice Age" ended abruptly and was a blow to our civic pride.
I am now 44 years old and I fear there is a real possibility that within a few short months, our civic pride will be hurt again and thousands of young hockey fans will cry when they find out there will be no Thrashers games to attend anymore with their fathers and mothers. Mr. Blank, you have an opportunity to save hockey in Atlanta. Our beloved Atlanta Thrashers, of the National Hockey League, are in desperate need of a hero. You have an opportunity to be that hero for our city and thousands of kids; kids who would be heartbroken should their parents have to tell them the NHL’s Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg, or somewhere north of the border.
When the Flames left for Calgary, youth and adult amateur hockey programs suffered and rinks closed. At the lowest point, we had to practice and play our youth hockey "home" games in Chattanooga, TN. Such was our dedication and commitment to the game. Youth hockey and adult hockey programs are thriving today in Atlanta, providing another source of parent and child interaction, not to mention a great source of exercise, and a healthy way to relieve stress. Mr. Blank, youth hockey programs predictably will suffer if Atlanta loses our NHL franchise.
Countless hockey players around the globe remember, with great respect and admiration, our "hockey moms and dads" getting up routinely at odd hours to take us to a 5:45 a.m. practice or game. Hockey, like football, helps build relationships, and builds character in young men. Leaders learn to lead in pee-wee hockey games. One of my pee-wee hockey teammates is currently the GM of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild – I own my own money management firm. America needs all the leaders it can get in today’s razor-thin margin, and ultra-competitive world.
The history of the Thrashers and Atlanta Flames is well documented, but a few points may help you understand why an NHL franchise in Atlanta is a diamond in the rough, waiting to be polished by a well-respected, proven, and capable owner like you. How can anyone say Atlanta is a bad hockey town? There has been little to cheer about. The Flames never won a playoff series in eight years. The Thrashers have never won a single playoff game; in fact, the Thrashers have only made the playoffs once in their history. If the Falcons did not have their winning seasons and playoff appearances, we would in all likelihood return to the days of local TV blackouts.
Philips Arena was packed to the rafters for the Thrashers’ playoff games despite being swept by the New York Rangers. There was rampant fan enthusiasm. The fans were in their seats ten minutes before the puck dropped chanting, “Let’s Go Thrashers!” Imagine that, Atlanta sports fans arriving for a game early! Mr. Blank, you can make this work.
“You can talk all you want about whether or not Atlanta is a good hockey market. When you don't win any playoff games for a decade, the market isn't the issue, it's the team.”
Scott Burnside, ESPN.com, February 2011
The NHL does not want to lose the eighth largest TV market in the United States. The ongoing, sad, and litigious history of the Thrashers’ current ownership group has contributed to the alienation of the local fan base. The Thrashers have operated on a shoe-string budget trying to remain competitive with the 29th lowest payroll in a thirty-team league.
With some shrewd negotiating and support from Atlanta hockey fans, Mr. Bettman, Commissioner of the NHL, may be willing to work with you to purchase a minority stake in the team at a very reasonable price. Be assured that every sports fan in Atlanta would immediately conclude that you would build a winning team, by understanding what fans expect, supporting good management, and utilizing your marketing experience. Your involvement would increase the value of the franchise overnight.
“If Atlanta loses its second NHL franchise, it won’t be because the sport failed here. It will be because ownership and management failed.”
Jeff Schultz, AJC, January 2011
Current Thrashers GM, Rick Dudley, has been enhancing the roster for less than two years. Mr. Dudley helped build Stanley Cup teams in Tampa Bay and Chicago. Mr. Blank, the Thrashers are a truly undervalued asset. Imagine what the Thrashers will be worth after Rick Dudley builds them into a Stanley Cup contender. Imagine the faces on the kids in Centennial Park when they get to have their picture taken next to Lord Stanley’s Cup. Both the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Lightening have won the Cup – why not Atlanta? Mr. Blank, you can make it happen.
“Dudley, widely acknowledged as one of the best judges of hockey talent in the game, figures the Thrashers have 14 pieces "of what could be an elite team.”
Scott Burnside, ESPN.com, February 2011
The building blocks to increase the value of the Thrashers are in place. The Thrashers, in addition to having a well respected GM, have a coach, Craig Ramsey, who is held in high regard by his peers. The roster includes some young and budding stars, like Evander Kane, Alexander Burmistrov, Zack Bogosian, and Andre Pavelic in goal. Philips arena is already in place and remains one of the best hockey venues on the planet when comes to the sightlines for fans. Oh, as you know, the rink is an easy nine-iron way from the Georgia Dome.
“We've shown that we can be a good hockey team. I know we're going to be a very good team."
Rick Dudley, ESPN.com, February 2011
Obviously I am an ardent hockey fan, but I am merely one of many. Beyond the fan appeal I am a businessman and there is a desire on my part to avoid the specter of losing two NHL teams in the span of 31 years. This would not enhance Atlanta's image or our belief that we are truly "Major League" by having four major sport franchises. If the Thrashers depart, our ice rinks will eventually close as they did when the Flames left. This would be a devastating blow to youth hockey programs.
“One thing I do know is whether they sell part of the team, all of it, whatever, we can make it a much more viable product for whomever.”
Rick Dudley, AJC, February 2011
I realize your success in life results in receiving many requests involving your time and money. Hopefully you will see some merit in my proposal from both a civic and investment point of view. Please be assured that you have earned my respect and appreciation for all you have already done to make Atlanta a better place to live.