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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:35:37 GMT -5
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, MONDAY, JUNE 9, 1975
Mullenix Files Anti-Trust Suit
DENVER (AP) — Ivan Mullenix, owner of Denver Spurs hockey team, has filed an anti-rust suit in U.S. District Court seeking nearly $1.3 million f r o m the National Hockey League. The suit was filed May 16, but details were withheld for 20 days while Mullenix and his corporation, D e n v e r Professional Sports, Inc., negotiated with the NHL arid others in an attempt to land an NHL franchise for Denver for next year. Mullenix has since gained a franchise in the World Hockey Association.
The suit claims Mullenix, as owner of the Spurs franchise in the Western Hockey League, lost $885,899 between 1973 • and April of this year through coercion, conspiracy and actual violation of the Sherman and Clayton Anti-trust Acts on the part of the NHL and some of its officials. Mullenix said to get an NHL franchise he had to sign an asset purchase agreement and a purchase option agreement with the NHL involving the Spurs, which had been a farm club owned by St. Louis Blues.
The suit contends Mullenix s i g n e d the asset purchase agreement Aug. 15, 1972 wit] the NHL, lawyer James D Cullen, secretary of the NHL and the Blues. He had to pay $125,000 cash and signed three-year note for $375,000. Mullenix said he paid $250,000 on the principal and $37,500 in interest on the note and the rest is due in August. The agreement also provided that Mullenix would pay $750,000 to Sports Holdings Inc., the corporation organized by the Blues in Colorado to control the Spurs, if Mullenix gained an NHL franchise; if he brought in any other team other than a Western or National Hockey League franchise, or if he ceased Denver Western Hockey League operation before the 1980-81 season.
He said the purchase option agreement gave the Blues the right to re-purchase the Spur— including any territorial rights to an NHL franchise — for $500,000 if Mullenix cease the Spurs operation. And it stipulated that if Mullenix began a competing franchise, such as with the WHA, the Blues would have the right to buy back the Spurs and its territorial right for just $1.
In setting the financial damage figure, Mullenix said lost the $885,899 in operating the Spurs since 1973; the $375,000 in the unwanted purchase of the Spurs and $37,500 in interest on the note he was forced to sign. The suit charges the NHL the two Blues corporations and Cullen with illegal "tie-in" contracts, attempts to prevent competition, conspiracy to restrain competition, unlawful use of monopoly powers and attempts to monopolize national and Denver markets. It also seeks a federal court judgment to declare the agreements signed by Mullenix as null and void and asks treble damages allowed under the Clayton Anti-trust Act.
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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:35:56 GMT -5
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 1975 BALTIMORE ON VERGE OF FOLDING WHA Clears The Way For Draft By REYN DAVIS Free Press Staff Writer
The World Hockey Association is working under the assumption Baltimore Blades will not operate next season. Chief executive officer Ben Hatskin of Winnipeg said Wednesday night the WHA is making plans to dissolve the Baltimore franchise and pool all of its players in a special draft among league teams Thursday, June 19, in Toronto.
Also included in the draft would be those members of Chicago Cougars who were not picked up by Denver Spurs. Denver would pick first followed by Indianapolis. An inlra-leaguc draft in which teams will be able to protect only 12 skaters and two goaltenders, will also be held that day, for the first time in league history. First-year professionals will be exempt, and no team will be allowed to lose more than two players.
H a t s k i n made his announcements following the third day of WHA meetings in the La Costa Resort Hotel at Carlsbad, Calif. Winnipeg Jets are represented by Oscar Grubert, vice-president in charge of league relations. The Baltimore franchise has been owned and operated by the league. The Jets' share of the Baltimore burden has been more than $100,000.
E a r l i e r Wednesday the WHA approved the bid of T o r o n t o businessman Ted Tobias for a franchise in Hamilton. A condition of the awarding of a franchise to Hamilton is the construction of a new 15,000 arena. Tobias said he foresaw no difficulty in meeting the stipulation. He said it was possible a WHA team would be located in Hamilton for the 1976-77 season, but most likely the 1977-78 campaign. Hatskin said the league has agreed not to expand beyond 18 teams. "That's as far as we will go," said Hatskin, "18 teams." Expansion bids have been received from groups in San Francisco, Miami and Seattle. Hatskin said the format for next season would be the same as last — 14 teams (in all likelihood), and three divisions.
Probable alignment would look like this: Canadian Division — Calga r y Cowboys, Edmonton Oilers, Q u e b e c Nordiques, T o r o n t o Toros, Winnipeg Jets. Western Division — Denver Spurs, Houston Aeros, Minnesota F i g h t i n g Saints, Phoenix Roadrunners, San Diego Mariners. Eastern Division — Cincinnati Stingers, Cleveland Crusaders, Indianapolis Racers, New England Whalers.
Baltimore mayor William Schaefer, who helped in the relocation of Michigan Stags in his Maryland city, conferred with WHA owners by telephone Wednesday, concerning the Blades' future. Nothing was decided but, as Hatskin says, the league is working on the assumption Baltimore won't be there when the WHA begins its fourth season.
There have been reports that Baltimore industrialist Joe Schwartz, owner of San Diego Mariners, was considering the sale of his California club. "I'll listen to any offers," s a i d Schwartz, "but that doesn't mean the club is up for sale."
In another matter, Cleveland was named site of the 1976 all-star game, scheduled for Jan. 13.
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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:36:13 GMT -5
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 1975 Basset! Anxious To Form Rivalry HAMILTON (CP) — Ted Tobias, the 44-year-old Toronto businessman who has the inside track on the World Hockey Association franchise awarded to Hamilton, said Thursday his first task will be to make a deal for the territorial rights.
"The franchise has been awarded to the city and not to me," Tobias said, noting that Hamilton falls within the WHA territory of Toronto Toros. "I still have to meet with John F. Bassett (the Toros president) on Friday to discuss money. We won't have a franchise until John Bassett says 'OK, I'm satisfied with the money you're going to pay me.' “The decision to award a franchise to Hamilton, a city of more than 300,000, for as early as the 1976-77 season, was announced by the WHA after a meeting in La Costa, Calif., Wednesday.
Tobias, who owns the Provincial Junior A Wexford Raiders, said he is prepared to retire from his import-export business and devote himself fully to hockey here if he gets the franchise. Bassett said he didn't think there would be any difficulty coming to terms. "1 can see no problems whatsoever. I've been trying to get Hamilton into the league for the last three months and l! : happened to find Mr. Tobias. Hamilton is in our territory but there will be a team there. We're certainly not going to stop a team going into Hamilton."
Just when the WHA will1 come to Hamilton depends on completion of an arena with at least 15,000 seats. Henry Katz, a member of a group seeking money to build the new arena, said he thinks awarding of a franchise '.'will assure the financing." "We should have it crystallized within a period of 30 to 60 days. There could be WHA hockey in Hamilton by September of next year. I feel confident we can do the job."
The WHA already has five Canadian clubs, in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Quebec City and Toronto, but what appeals to Bassett is the prospect of having another team in a City that has a traditional sports rivalry with Toronto. "The latest we'd like to have a team in there would be '77 said Bassett .”There's no lime limit but it's certainly understood that they'd better get it going as soon as possible."
Mayor Vic Copps said he was pleased because assurance of a pro franchise should make financing easier and might make it unnecessary to grant an extension of the June dead line for raising money to build the new Coliseum. "It certainly shouldn't take six months." Tobias said he plans to move to Hamilton with his family. "I don't want to seem to be the big operator from Toronto be cause I'm not. . . . Hamilton is my kind of town and I think '. can provide their kind of hockey— rough, tough and players willing to give 100 per cent all the time."
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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:36:29 GMT -5
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1975
Penguins' Doors Padlocked By IRS Team Needs $5 Million To Pav Off Its Debts PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Penguins, shackled by debts and no credit, were placed in bankrupt receivership Friday by a federal judge after-the Internal Revenue Service padlocked the team's offices. Club officials said the move does not necessarily mean the end of the National Hockey League team.
The bankruptcy action came a f t e r the IKS slapped a $532,000 tax lien on the club Thursday and seized its offices. However, a n arrangement w a s made with the court where by the team will not have to sell off its assets until it has a chance to work out a solution. The club must file a list of assets and liabilities with the court by July 31, and a plan of action by Sept. 30. The Penguins are said to need $5 million to satisfy their creditors, including part of their 1974 income tax payment
Plagued by increasing salaries and sometimes low attendance the P e n g u i n s have never turned a profit since entering the league in 1967. Since mid-season, owner Tad Potter has been trying to take on a new partner or sell the club in order to resolve cash problems. There have been several loans from the league —the total never confirmed— but reported to be more than million.
What the receivership does is keep creditors away, gives the IRS first crack at the club's assets, and allows the club a chance to regroup. "The proceeding will give us a chance to preserve the club's assets for all creditors," said Bernard Goodman, a lawyer w h o will represent general manager Jack Button, named in the agreement as receiver. When IRS agents locked up the offices, they posted a sign on the front door that warns against removing or tampering with the property. 'It's really not as bad as it appears to be," said business manager Kent' Bowman. "All they're trying to do is keep anyone from making off with the assets. It's standard."
Bowman said 'Thursday he new nothing about impending bankruptcy proceedings, but seven hours later -the action was .filed in federal bankruptcy court. Potter said the team was almost sold last week, "but the buyers had trouble coming up with the necessary financing." "We have not hidden the fact that we owed the IRS money," he. said. "We kept potential buyers, the league and the bank up to date on what we owed."
In Montréal, league president Clarence Campbell said he did not know what the turn of events would mean to tie league. "The receiver has his appointment and they will make some representations to the league as to whether they can carry on, with or without some kind of reorganization." He said the situation must be clarified by July 1, the traditional d e a d l i n e date for changes in the playing schedule for the succeeding season.
The league currently has no contingency plans in the event the Penguins cannot play. "We had lots of plans when the situation was hot last winter but we didn't want to push as long as the owners thought they could still run their own ship of state, and now things have taken their course." He said the league loaned the Pittsburgh club a little more than $1 million, "plus interest, but we're not really worried about that part right now."
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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:37:00 GMT -5
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1975
Aeros Owe WHA $250,000
HOUSTON (AP) - A spokesman for a city group which p l a n s to purchase Houston Aeros says the deal should be completed no later than June 23.A contract for the sale of the World Hockey Association club to the group was approved Thursday by Bankruptcy Judge 'John Blinn. George Bolin, a spokesman for the group, said a news conference will be held June 23 to outline the 1975-76 plans for the team.
Closing of the deal had been set for Friday but washed up when majority owner Irvin D. Kaplan filed Monday for reorganization through the federal bankruptcy statutes. Under federal statutes the transaction cannot be completed until 10 days after the judge's order of approval. Bolin said from San Diego where he was attending a WHA meeting that one of the first priorities will be to get the Aeros back in -the good 'graces of the league.
"We were not received with a great deal of favor because we are in debt to the league in excess of $250,000," Bolin said. "As a result, our vote was suspended.
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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:37:28 GMT -5
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1975
NHL Meeting Full Of Issues
By AL McNEEL
MONTREAL (CP) — The National Hockey League, faced by what has been described as "a bushel basket of litigation,' opens its annual four-day meetings Monday. At one time the meetings were given over mostly to matters pertaining to on-ice activity such as player drafts player trades, rule change: and managerial and coaching appointments.
But the trend has changed over the last few years and this session is expected to see the league governors involved in more closed-door meeting! than ever before in an attempt to sort out legal entanglements. NHL president Clarence Campbell said Friday the league faces several major problems that have nothing to do with playing the game of hockey. "We have some real, major problems this year," Campbell said. "There's the continued uncertainty a b o u t California Seals and the problem of Pittsburgh Penguins."
Campbell said there will be no expansion draft this year, with the proposed expansion to 20 teams to include Denver and Seattle for the 1976-77 season shelved. Also cancelled this year "because no one was interested is the inter-league draft where NHL teams drafted in past years from the American and now-defunct Western Hockey League.
The only draft of consequence to the average fan this year will. be the intra-league event. In this one, each club is allowed to protect 18 players and can suffer a maximum loss of only one. Goaltenders a n d first-year professionals are exempt from the intra-league draft. The price for each player selected is $40,000.
How much time the governors will spend studying legal matters was emphasized Friday when the Pittsburgh club filed for bankruptcy. But the NHL president was more optimistic in regard to settlement of the California Seals problem. He said he expects a deal that would see San Francisco businessman Mel Swig purchase the team to be consummated here.
"If it is, it will be a transfer o f control only," Campbell said. "I expect that management would remain the same and they (the Seals) would be on their way for this year." Swig said in San Francisco earlier this month that he was v i r t u a l l y certain the deal would go through, with the Seals playing in a new arena in that city by 1977. Meanwhile, they would continue to o p e r a t e from the Oakland- Alameda Coliseum. "Once we get the green light, I feel we can have our shovels in the dirt by year's end," Swig said of his plans for a downtown facility which would cost an estimated $20 million and seat 17,000 for hockey.
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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:37:57 GMT -5
Thursday, June 19, 1975
Bargain Price Can Buy Pens
MONTREAL (AP) – While the National Hockey League board of governors huddled in conferences on how to preserve their bankrupt Pittsburgh 'franchise, Penguins" General Manager Jack Button indicated that the club is for sale at a bargain price.
"Obviously time is of the essence, as far as including the Penguins in the 1975-76 schedule," said Button in a statement released at the league's annual meetings, which concluded here Wednesday, a day ahead of schedule. "As far as lam concerned, it is imperative that I encourage any offers that may be acceptable lo the court from any responsible party who would qualify for membership in the National Hockey League."
The Penguins filed for bankruptcy last week under a federal court agreement which also stipulated that none of the team's assets be sold. The action left Button in receivership and gave the club until Sept. 30 to get its financial affairs in order. However, NHL President Clarence Campbell said schedules will be made up in August and If (he Penguins and the also-indebted California Seals are not solvent by " the area of August 1," they could be disbanded.
Campbell said – the governors had decided to make every effort to save the club "short of buying it ourselves." He suggested that Button could carry on in his receivership, running the club in (rust 'on the court's behalf, but the one-year cost without debt charges would be $3.5 million. ‘Campbell said the league would prefer to try to save the franchise by finding a purchaser, but added if finding a buyer is "a bigger task than can be achieved, more meetings will be held." "The team is a solid team," said Campbell. "The closer they get lo a deadline for action, the more imperative it becomes for the principles to take action.
"II wouldn't be any good if the new buyer could not maintain the club," Campbell continued. "He would need approval of the league lo buy it and would need lo prove he has working capital to maintain it. A Penguin spokesman said Bullon has talked with some prospective purchasers at the meetings, but he knew of no serious negotiations. "It's a good chance for somebody to get a good deal on a hockey club," the spokesman said. "This isn't some expansion franchise." Some idea of how tough the Pittsburgh situation has become was indicated when Coach Marc Boileau and scouts Ken Schinkel, Jack Riley and Rudy Migay paid their own way to attend the meetings.
Unlike the Pittsburgh dilemma, Campbell said there is no deadline for purchase of the Seals. He said the NHL was "making fine progress" toward the sale of the league operated Seals to a group headed by San Francisco businessman .Mel Swig. "By our standards and his, he is 90 per cent ready," Campbell said.
On another front, Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers"' center and a former vice president of the NHL players association, was critical of a proposal by owners to trim rosters from 20 players to 19. They 'want to cut rosters down without consulting us," said Clarke, last season's Most Valuable Player. "At least they could come and poll us- consult and work together." The players, in fact, recommend a 21 man roster because of the 80-game schedule and "because if on the West Coast a guy gets hurt, we should have an extra man on hand," Clarke said.
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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:38:19 GMT -5
BRANDON, MANITOBA, FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1975
Two WHA teams disappear
TORONTO (CP) —The saga of the Los Anleles Sharks, Michigan Stags, Baltimore Blades and Chicago Cougars finally came to an end Thursday in a World Hockey Association special draft. The Sharks, Stags and Blades were a c t u a l l y one team which changed its name twice as it stumbled through the WHA's first three seasons before winding up in Baltimore where it finally died.
Also dead are the Cougars who, like the Blades, ran out of money to survive another season. The special draft Thursday saw the 14 other clubs pick up all but three or four of the Baltimore and Chicago players, thus relieving the league of the need to pay their salaries.
Rick Blight, former Brandon Wheat King star whose WHA rights were owned, by Baltimore was drafted Thursday by Phoenix Roadrunners. Earlier this month, Blight was taken in the first round of the National Hockey League draft by Vancouver Canucks and has given indications he will sign with the NHL team.
The WHA also staged an intraleague draft while Toronto Toros took the opportunity to announce they have signed Bob Baun, former all-star National Hockey League defenceman, to a one-year coaching contract.
Denver Spurs, just admitted to the league, had earlier picked .14 players from the Chicago roster but there were still 56 names from the two dead clubs in Thursday's draft. However, several players, such as Gil Perreault, are under contract to NHL clubs and were only names on the Baltimore and Chicago protected lists. Also included were some Russian players, such as Boris Mikhailov. Perreault, a star with the NHL Buffalo Sabres, was picked by Cleveland from the Baltimore list. Mikhailov was picked from the Baltimore list by Edmonton Oilers.
Denver had first choice, in the special draft and took defenceman Barry Legge from Baltimore. Pat Stapleton, Chicago player, coach and co-owner, was the next choice, picked by Indianapolis Racers. : Another /Chicago co-owner, goalie Dave Dryden, was picked by Edmonton Oilers who later announced they had signed him. Cincinnati Stingers, who make their league debut this fall along with Denver, chose NHL player Jim Pappin from the Baltimore list. Pappin recently moved from Chicago Black Hawks to California Seals in an NHL trade.
After three rounds of drafting, the remaining players were put up for auction with the league agreeing to pay the difference between the auction and contract figures. Only 10 players were selected in the intra-league draft. Each club was allowed to protect 12 skaters and two goaltenders. First-year pros and players drafted from the two dead franchises were exempt. Among players drafted were defenceman Larry Hillman, by Winnipeg Jets from Cleveland Crusaders, and Gerry Odrowski by Minnesota Fighting Saints from Phoenix Roadrunhers.
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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:39:02 GMT -5
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 1975
U.S. Hockey Broadcasts Fading From Picture?
By MICHAEL B. FALLON The Evening Gazette
W O R C E S T E R , Mass. (AP) — Faint hopes that the N a t i o n a l Hockey League would land a new national television contract for next season are even dimmer now after the NHL meetings this week in Montreal. N B C, which refused to renew the NHL's regular season contract, has received no reply to proposal that would insure the league of limited exposure during the 1976 Stanley Cup playoffs. The result is that the NHL now is off national TV after more than five seasons with CBS and NBC.
The NBC post-season offer now is reported to be out. The NHL's board of governors indicated that it would turn it down if it came before them in Montreal. It was not acted upon for two reasons, according tone TV executive who sat in on the meetings. Primarily, he said, "it was a matter of pride, they felt they were getting scraps and also just a small package of postseason games would not be financially rewarding enough for the effort."
The NHL's regular and post-season agreement with NBC over the last three years paid each of the 18 teams about 5185,000 annually and a contract limited to Stanley Cup games would reduce that to about $50,000 a team, if that. The league's governors just weren't taking. They felt that independent agreements and an independent network made up of interested league cities during the playoffs would also provide that kind of money.
Despite heavy promotion by NBC, and CBS when it had the contract, hockey never achieved the TV popularity on a national basis that football, baseball and basketball enjoy. Many stations in the south, southwest and west refused to take the NBC hockey games," although they were affiliates of that network. The sport enjoyed TV success mainly in cities where there was an NHL franchise, and even that was only partially true. TV executives still chuckle when NBC's misfortunes in Atlanta are mentioned. Although the city had an NHL franchise, the e x p a n s i o n Flames, the network's TV affiliate said no to the NBC NHL package.
Hockey does enjoy TV prosperity in some cities in the United Slates and throughout Canada. Boston is the best exam p l e where WSBK-TV, Channel 8, televises a minimum of 75 Boston Bruins' games each season. During both seasons when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup, the figures were closer to 100 games. Channel 38's success with hockey eventually helped the station land rights to more than 100 Boston Red Sox games this season.
Philadelphia is another hockey hotbed for television. Thirty-six of the Stanley Cup champion Philadelphia Flyers road games will be televised on home TV next season. And an additional 30 home games will be televised on pay cable TV to South Philadelphia, Allentown and possibly into New Jersey. Harland Singer, manager of the F l y e r s ' TV department, maintains that fans can be won over to hockey through television but, "if the league ever gets another network contract I'd rather see a day night game each week, then more people would get a chance to watch.
Singer has seen the Flyers' TV package grow in six years along with the ratings. "We had a 29 rating and a 49 share for the final Stanley Cup game from Buffalo and that's just incredible for a UHF station (Channel 28) in this city." Hockey Night In Canada has been an institution for more than 20 years in that country. Last season, the Canadian S p o r t s Network telecast more than 160 games of Montreal Canadians, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks.
The NHL hasn't given up on a n o t h e r national contract with a network, but is ready to utilize the experiences of Boston, Philadelphia and Canadian TV programming to establish a network of its own."
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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:39:21 GMT -5
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 1975
Penguins Swing Loan
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The bankrupt Pittsburgh Penguins received court approval Friday to borrow up to $700,000 to keep the franchise operating here. General manager Jack Button, the court-appointed- receiver, made the request o: U.S. district court Judge Hubert I. Teitlebaum, but said he does not yet have a lender. "I'm hopeful and we've been talking to people, but we don' have anyone specifically yet What we need is a buyer and soon," he said.
Button said the club needs to borrow the money for three reasons. The Penguins need about $400,000 by the end of August to pay player contracts or face the possibility of the players becoming free agents. Another $200,000 would go to the IRS as payment toward $500,000 owed it, and the rest would be used for interim administrative expenses, including promotion of the season t i c k e t sales. That income would be held in escrow until the fate of the Penguins is determined. The petition disclosed that the National Hockey League approved the borrowing of new money at its league meetings in Montreal this week.
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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:39:47 GMT -5
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 1975
Suggests City Buy Penguins
PITTSBURGH (AP)- James Flaherty, a member of the pubic authority which runs the Civic Arena, Monday suggested authority consider buying the debt-ridden Pittsburgh Penguins National Hockey League team. Flaherty, a candidate for Allegheny County commissioner, said the purchase might be needed to prevent the team from, folding and protect the arena financially.
The arena is adding 3,000 seats at a cost of $4 million. It had been planned that rental revenue from the Penguins would offset that expense. "If we're going to be stuck with a $4 million bill, we might as well use the money to buy the Penguins," Flaherty said. "Then maybe -we can get them back in shape and sell the team to a private owner at a profit to the authority." The Penguins went into receivership June 13 because of debts in excess of $7 million.
Under the receivership, the courts have given general manager Jack Button until September to come up with a plan to pay the bills. The NHL has apparently given the team until at least August to regain financial footing. Charles Strong, executive director of the arena authority, said he liked the idea of purchasing the team. "The club is a real bargain for anyone who buys it," he said.
Nonetheless, outgoing county commissioner Leonard Staisey saw little merit in the suggestion. "With whose money?" asked Staisey, defeated by Flaherty in the recent Democratic primary.
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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:40:07 GMT -5
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 1975
Houston Deal Completed
HOUSTON (AP) — Houston realtor George Bolin, heading a group of minority stockholders, says that arrangement have been completed to purchase the World Hockey Assoc i a t i o n champion Houston Aeros from majority owner Irvin Kaplan for $4.1 million. At the same time, Bolin group said veteran player Gordie Howe would become president and coach Bill Dineen would assume the additional duties of vice president and general manager.
The deal came after months of negotiations with Kaplan who earlier this month filed fo; reorganization under the bankruptcy statues. Total sale price includes $1.1 million in Aeros stock and $3 million in debts. "The past is over, it is finished," said Bolin. "The only thing we're going to do now is to try to continue the winning ways of this club."
Actual consummation of the sale took place Monday, at the end of a 10-day waiting perioc imposed on Kaplan by the federal bankruptcy referee, Bolin said. Bonn said Bob Keltic will be vice president in charge of administration and finance and Jack Stanfield will become assistant general assistant coach. manager
HAMILTON (CP) — The city's special arena committee has recommended unanimously that a group planning to build a major hockey arena here be given until the end of the September to arrange necessary financing. The recommendation will be discussed by council Tuesday night.
The arena backers, the Hamilton Coliseum Group, have an option to construct the facility on city-owned property, but this was to expire at the end of June. At a meeting of the arena committee, Doug Mackay of the Coliseum Group said he was optimistic he could come up with the money in three months if there Is a promise of a World Hockey Association team as a tenant.
T o r o n t o businessman Ted Tobias, who has arranged to bring a WHA franchise to Hamilton, also attended the weekend meeting. Mayor Vic Copps said Tobias and the Coliseum Group are already working on rent and leasing details. The provincial government has given first reading to a bill which would allow the city to participate in the financing of he arena by lending the Coliseum Group up to $2 million over 10 years .
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Post by JETStender on Jan 4, 2009 16:40:57 GMT -5
Now complete to July 1 1975. I will post more......
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Post by JETStender on Jan 13, 2009 1:17:53 GMT -5
Wednesday, JULY 2. 1975
Penguin Buyers Line Up
PITTSBURGH (AP) – A Philadelphia-area man is reported to have offered $3.1 million for the debt-ridden Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League, while a Seattle group is said to be waiting in the wings with a purchase offer of more than $4 million.
Sam Nover, sportscaster for WIIC-TV, said Monday that the $3.1 million offer for the franchise came from Paul Levine of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Levine, 36, is former owner of the Yellow Cab Co. in Philadelphia. He had bought the cab company from Jerry Wolman, former owner of Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League.
Nover said the other offer would be made today by Seattle attorney Vince Abbey and three businessmen, who hope to move the franchise to Seattle. Any sale would be subject to the approval of the United S t a t e s District Court here, since the team went into receivership two weeks ago. Neither Levine nor Abbey could be reached for comment on the report, and there was no immediate word from Penguin officials. "I'm just trying to put things together," said general manager Jack Button the court-appointed receiver. "When we have something concrete, we'll announce it."
Meanwhile, Penguin attorney Bernard Goodman said earlier Monday that the club had received a loan to pay at least some player salaries. Had the players not been paid, they would have become free agents and been free to negotiate with other clubs. Goodman would not name the source or amount of the the loan.
The Penguins' known debt is at least $6.5 million. They were placed in receivership when the Internal Revenue Service slapped a $532,000 lien against the club and locked its offices. The club is also in debt to the NHL for at least $1 million and owes $5 million in loans to Equibank. A purchaser would not have to satisfy the total debt after the IRS line is satisfied, the court would divide the rest of t h e purchase price proportionally among creditors.
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Post by JETStender on Jan 13, 2009 1:18:41 GMT -5
Winnipeg Free Press, Saturday, JULY 5. 1975
NHL Host Show Why Canadians Hired In U.S,
By AL MCNEIL
MONTREAL (CP) – The National Hockey League currently is preparing an extensive report for two United States federal government departments to show why it feels justified in its employment of a majority of Canadian players by the 15 American-based clubs in the 18-team league. Brian O'Neill, NHL executive director, said today he expects the report will be ready for submission to the 'U.S. departments of labor and immigration by the end of this month.
In a story today, The London Free Press raid the NHL had been asked to supply documentation to justify, the employment of-Canadian and European players over Americans at a June 24 meeting in Washington a of representatives of the 18 NHL teams and the immigration Department.
O’Neil said the report will show that the NHL clubs do not discriminate against American-born players. He cited the fact that during 1965-66 season only two American-born players—Tom Williams and Doug Roberts—were members of NHL teams, while last season 70 U.S. citizens had been signed by league clubs.
Our training camps are open for any player from the U.S. to try out;" O'Neill said. "Quite a 'number of. Americans have gone to camp to compete against Canadians for jobs and it is there you must determine who is best." 'We (the clubs) just don't say this player is better because he's a Canadian. American players have an equal opportunity," he added. "The NHL clubs today are aware of every player of consequence in the United States through their extensive scouting and these players go through the normal drafts and on to training camps."
The report .comes as a result of a general tightening of U& immigration policy as it applies to the insurance of alien work visas. U.S. immigration officials approved permits for 55,883 aliens in 1974, more than 3,600 to persons involved in sports and related fields. Canadian immigration approved 80,000 alieii work visas Last year, including 1,225 in sports and recreation.
O'Neill said the league's submission will include, reports from individual clubs outlining their local development programs. It will also include "amounts of money, paid for players drafted from the United States." He said that since 1967 the NHL had paid in excess of $1 million to U.S. amateur clubs for players drafted and through direct grants.
“We hope they will understand that the selection (of Players) process is such that our teams come up with, the best players available, whether they are Canadian or American, " O'Neill said. "Any American youngster who proves he is qualified to play in the NHL will be selected at training camp."
But the matter of proving the same need for Canadian players at the minor pro level could be a different matter and could depend on the supply and demand process, O'Neill conceded. It could be more difficult to justify employment of Canadians in the American based Central the and American hockey leagues if U.S. players of near equal ability were seeking employment.
In addition to showing what steps the league has taken to develop American -born players the NHL will attempt to show its effort to obtain officials from the United States. O'Neill said NHL referee-in-chief Scotty .Morrison has people. scouting officials in the J.S. and attends clinics for referees and linesmen in that country Morrison invites likely prospects to the. NHL's annual training camp for officials.
The U.S labor department has taken the stand that as a result of "a tremendous growth the last few years in the applications for sports and related fields" it had to take a lard look at what its policy had done. 'Our law dictates that aliens are not', admitted if there are qualified resident' athletes," John Sheerian of the labor department is quoted as--saying. "We are not concerned so much with . . . the super athlete . . . as we are with the run-of-the-mill performer.”We can no longer be satisfied with the application that says 'We need this player from Canada, because he's better than a guy from the U.S."
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Post by JETStender on Jan 13, 2009 1:19:18 GMT -5
July 10,1975
Penguins Sale Approved, To Remain In Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH (UPI) – A federal judge approved Wednesday the sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins to a group of Columbus, Ohio, investors who said they will keep the National Hockey League franchise here.
Judge Hubert Teitelbaum gave his approval, to the $3.8 million sale of the debt-ridden club to a group led by Al Saviil, owner of the Columbus Owls of the International Hockey League and KMS Mortgage and Investment Co. in Columbus. The technicalities of how the money will be distributed to pay off the team's debts have not been decided. Teitelbaum, who placed the Penguins in receivership, last month when they could not meet payments on their $6.5 million in debts, scheduled the hearing to give creditors, 'former owners and others connected with the club an opportunity to show cause why the transaction should not be approved
Jack Button, the Penguin general manager who was nanied receiver by Teitelbaum, must face the NHL finance committee Thursday. The league's board of governors meet Friday for final scutiny. The purchasing group also includes Wren Blair, former general manager of the Minnesota North Stars and current owner of the Saginaw, Mich., Gears of the International Hockey League, and Otto Frenzo HI, chairman of the board of Merchant's National Bank of Indianapolis.
A spokesman for Equibank, which the Penguins owe more than $5 million in loan notes, testified the bank loaned $4 million to Saviil and his group. Saviil said he will have $1 million in working capital, to operate the team after all fees are paid.
The NHL, owed about $1 million by the club, asked for an additional $600,000 in fees to approve the sale. The Internal Revenue Service agreed that when its fee is paid it will return to the Penguins the contracts they seized from the Penguin's office because of the team's failure to pay about $500,000 in withholding taxes
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Post by JETStender on Jan 13, 2009 1:19:46 GMT -5
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1975
Jets Streamline Office Operation
By REYN DAVIS Free Press Staff Writer
The public mind of the Jets' management committee s a i d changes had to be made. Amid mounting grumbles from the people who pay the way — fans — and the trampled toes of performers, Jets' president Bob Graham has asked for and received the resignations of business manager Ray Bauschke and ticket sales co ordinator Val Johnson.
Also announced was the promotion of hockey operalions director Rudy Pilous to the position of general manager. The front office shakeup is the most severe in the team's four-year history. Both Bauschke and Ms. Johnson were actively involved in last year's Save the Jets campaign. Bauschke led a concerted effort of Manitoba credit unions while Ms. Johnson co-ordinated the sale of $25 memberships.
"Our volunteer force is l a r g e now and well-organized, and is quite capable of handling many of the jobs of a business manager," said Graham. "Ray was of great value to us in setting up committees, polarizing volunteer groups and monitoring meetings. I'm not at all critical of Ray in that role." The general operations of the Jets' office in Winnipeg Arena was not as smooth as the operation on the ice, said Graham.
"It wasn't a smooth-raining ship np there," he said "Changes had to be made." Fans interested in purchasing tickets and potential advertisers in the game magazine complained of the office's handling to management committee members. "We ware appalled at the magnitude of the bad PR to customers," said Graham. "There was a lot of waving of arms that wasn't necessary. Issues were made out of nothing." Graham said advertising misunderstandings could not be tolerated when "in our organization we have some of the best advertising brains in the city." Empire-building, frills, and ego-tripping were occurring, said Graham.
Players have been upset with the office administration, Anders Hedberg; was particularly embittered when J. D. Boyd, a director of marketing from the previous Hatskin administration, was fired by Bauschke. Boyd was a tireless worker and endeared himself to the Europeans, especially, who needed homes and apartments, and the patient understanding of someone close to the club their first days in Canada.
Then, more recently, there was another staff change when Judy Kruch, a team secretary since 1972, was pressured to resign. That galled Bobby Hull, who considered Miss Kruch the most e f f i c i e n t and dedicated worker in the front office. More use of the voluntary groups is Graham's plan to a b s o r b the duties of Bauschke and Ms. Johnson.
Also being considered is the hiring of one full-time or two part-time employees to "pound the pavement" as Graham puts it. Ticket co-ordination is now in the computer stage. In time, Graham believes all ticket sales will be handled by the arena box offices. Graham has been extremely pleased with the work done this summer by Duke Asmundson. a defenseman who has branched out into public relations work for the club in the off season. "Duke's doing an excellent job." said Graham. "He a dandy."
Meanwhile, be plans to eliminate what he calls the "strait-jacket" jobs so the Jets' front office can become a small but integrated operation with "a team of mutual trust."
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Post by JETStender on Jan 13, 2009 1:20:02 GMT -5
July 13 1975 Hull gets Soviet trip
MOSCOW (UPI) – Team Canada ice-hockey star Bobby Hull of the WHA Winnipeg Jets has been awarded a 10- day vacation in the Soviet Union as a prize for his fair piay in 1974 matches with the Soviet Union national team, Tass said Tuesday. The prize was awarded by the Soviet magazine Travel in the USSR.
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Post by JETStender on Jan 13, 2009 1:21:07 GMT -5
WEDNESDAY, JULY I6, 1975
Saints Want Orr
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - President Wayne Belisle of the Minnesota Fighting Saints says his club and the World Hockey Association "can't afford not to sign" superstar defenseman Bobby Orr. Belisle was replying to Tuesday's report in the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the Saints were offering Orr $6.5 million over five years to jump from the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.
Asked how the Saints, plagued with financial problems since they joined the WHA four years ago, could afford that kind of contract offer. Belisle responded: "How can we afford not to do this? Bobby Orr is the best player in hockey, He will fill our building every night for five years." Both Belisle and Bill Watters, an associate of Orr's lawyer, Alan Eagleson, confirmed that the WHA was offering a multimillion dollar contract for Orr's services. But neither would be specific about the amount involved. The pact, the largest in hockey history, reportedly would include a $l million cash payment. The Saints reportedly would pay approximately 40 per cent of the contract figure, with the WHA picking up the remainder.
Saints offer Orr '6.5 million
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Calling Bobby Orr the "greatest hockey player ever to play the game," Minnesota Fighting Saints President Wayne Belisle has offered the Boston superstar $6.5 million for a five-year contract, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported in a copyrighted story today.
The St. Paul newspaper said the pact, the largest in hockey history, would include a $1 million cash payment to the 27- year-old defcnseman. The Saints would pay approximately 40 per cent of the contract figure with the World Hockey Association picking up the rest of Orr's salary, the Pioneer Press reported in a story by sports writer Charley Hallman.
Earlier Monday, when the Toronto Sun reported that Orr would sign with the WHA, a spokesman for Orr called it "strictly speculation." Then Bill Walters, an associate of Orr's lawyer, Alan Eagleson of Toronto, confirmed, but without being sperific. that a multi-million dollar offer had been made by the WHA for Orr's services. Orr would join former Boston players Mike Walton, who also played for Toronto, and Rick Smith on the Saints roster if he takes the lucrative offer. Minnesota, although finishing high in the WHA playoffs each year, has had financial trouble since its founding four years ago.
"How can we afford to do this?" Belisle told the Pioneer Press. "How can we afford not to do this? Bobby Orr is the best player in hockey. He will fill our building every night for five years." Belisle added: "It's only because Orr's excellence is unquestioned that we are willing to pay this kind of money." Orr is the winner of more individual player awards in the National Hockey League than anyone in history.
On- has one year left on his current contract with the Bruins which calls for a reported $250,000 annually. Walters said nothing would be decided "until the Boston Bruins become part of the negotiations." Walters said the WHA offer to Orr was larger than the Bruins could match, but he said Orr feels he has been treated well in Boston, considers himself a Bruin "and I'm sure in the long run he'll be a Bruin. Other factors besides money could influence his decision." However, the Pioneer Press noted that Orr and Walton are close friends and partners in the Orr-Walton Hockey School at Orillia, Ont., which is managed by Eagleson who serves as attorney for both men.
The Pioneer Press said the deal, except for the higher sum, is nearly the same as that offered Bobby Hull, a longtime National Hockey league star who jumped to the WHA in 1972. Hull signed a 10-year, $2.5 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets and currently serves as player-coach. Part of the tab was picked up by the other clubs in the WHA. While Hull, 36, is approaching the twilight of his career, it would appear that Orr has at least ten years of active hockey left, barring injury.
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Post by JETStender on Jan 13, 2009 1:21:29 GMT -5
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATURDAY, JULY 19. 1975
WHA Wants Action On Hamilton Rink
HAMILTON (CP) — Toronto businessman Ted Tobias says there is a danger that Hamilton might lose its new World Hockey Association franchise unless action is taken soon to start construction of a new arena.
Tobias, who has the inside rack on the franchise, visited he city Wednesday with John F, Bassett of Toronto Toros and Ben Hatskin, chairman of the WHA board of governors, to talk to Mayor Vic Copps and impress upon him the need for immediate action.
T h i s city of more than 300,000 has been granted a franchise for the 1976-77 season but it is conditional on completion of a new rink. A group planning to build a new coliseum has an option with the city which expires in September. The mayor said that if the group is not able to meet the deadline he will look for other builders. "If they are unable to come up with the money, we hope the thing is attractive enough especially with the city's backing, so that we can get somebody else. I don't think that will be necessary."
The city is prepared to help he builders by lending the builders up to $200,000 a year necessary to offset any debts. A motion is before the Ontario Municipal Board to give the city permission to participate in the venture. The mayor said the visitors told him there is a chance the franchise will be taken away if coliseum construction is delayed.
The WHA now has 13 teams, five in Canada, and wants to add one Canadian and one U.S. franchise by next year, Hatskin said, adding: "If Hamilton isn't ready, we may have to go with two American teams." "There are guys in the U.S. with all kinds of money who want a team no matter what it costs," said Tobias. "If we don't get an arena before these f e l l o w s come forward with their money, we're going to be out of luck."
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