Post by jhendrix70 on Feb 21, 2009 19:57:48 GMT -5
Coyotes so ugly, investor has to be blind
If Little Commish can find legit taker, God bless him
By: Randy Turner
The Phoenix Coyotes slashed ticket prices up to 40 per cent last week. They had to give the team's CEO a pink slip. They've laid off front- office staff.
Other than that, everything in Phoenix is peachy keen. Thanks for asking.
But, frankly, the hemorrhaging of the Coyotes is old news, just as old as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman prattling on about how every one of the league's 30 franchises will survive longer than Dorian Gray.
No, the truly fascinating news out of Arizona this week is that -- get this -- there are apparently as many as two parties interested in paying actual money for the late Winnipeg Jets. True story.
At least, that's according to current Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes, who after losing in the vicinity of $200 million operating the team since 2001, has decided that, you know, maybe this hockey thing might not work out after all.
First, it's good to know that in the Excited States of America -- just this side of a Great Depression, with tens of thousands of job loses, trillions in government bailout money (and counting) -- they still are blithely willing to keep a hockey team in the Arizona desert at the expense of millions of dollars in public funds.
Well played.
Again, not shocking. After all, they just tore down a hospital in Pittsburgh to build a new rink for Sidney Crosby on the taxpayer's dime, so never underestimate America's threshold for building sports venues with the taxes Joe the Plumber never paid.
But back to those parties interested in buying the Coyotes. Man, those must be some crazy wild parties. The kind of party where Amy Winehouse would look around and go, "Blimey, this is getting out of hand, love."
Honestly, though, we've given Bettman a lot of grief over the years, most of it for good reason. On second thought, all of it for good reason. But if the Little Commish can unload the Coyotes on some poor sap, then our Henderson helmets are off to you, sir.
Think about it: Gary Bettman might actually sell a hockey team with no fan base that's expected to lose up to $45 million this year alone -- in the middle of the worst economic free fall since Okies were travelling through Phoenix en route to California. That's salesmanship, baby.
Now you might be asking yourself, "Geez, how does Gary do it?"
Actually, we asked ourself the same question when Bettman -- ta-da! -- came to the rescue of the Nashville Predators by procuring a hefty investment from a Mr. William (Boots) Del Biaggio III. How did that work out?, you ask. Hmmm, let's see. Last week, Del Biaggio pleaded guilty in court to securities fraud.
While awaiting sentencing, Boots has spent a lot of time reading. He's on Chapter 11, last we checked.
Of course, Bettman was the match-maker who introduced Del Biaggio to the Predators owners, who are mostly a collection of community-minded businessmen who don't have gobs of money to flush away.
And it was Bettman who soothed the masses after Del Biaggio turned out to be a convicted fraud artist. Just like former Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce McNall.
Oh, and former Buffalo Sabres owner John Rigas, who should not be confused with current Anaheim Ducks owner Henry Samueli, who is awaiting sentencing for lying to Securities and Exchange Commission investigators.
But we digress...
"Nobody in Nashville should worry," Bettman said at the time, referring to Del Biaggio. "He's a minority partner in Nashville. The Predators will be absolutely fine."
In fact, the Predators were so fine with the whole mess that they promptly sued Del Biaggio for what they believed to be losses of up to $100 million. Betcha they can't wait for Bettman to find them another "investor."
Now look, we're not saying that the next owner of the Phoenix Coyotes -- if such an animal exists -- will turn out to be a criminal. Or a huckster. Or a fraud. That wouldn't be fair... to CRIMINALS!!! Ha!
I keed, I keed.
Bottom line: We sincerely congratulate Bettman on apparently finding another suck... er, hockey-loving owner who shares a grand vision of seeing the Phoenix Coyotes make their first dollar in franchise history. That's a noble goal indeed.
Sure, if the sale actually does come to pass, it will all end horribly. Millions more will be needed to continue propping up the team.
The fan base will remain sparse and stagnant. And the Coyotes will continue to perform their function as a tax writeoff for the insanely wealthy, at the expense of Arizona's beleaguered taxpayers.
Psst. Just between us, I hear some guy named Bernie Madoff is sniffing around, too.
randy.turner@freepress.mb.ca
COMMENTS FROM READERS:
4 Comments
No fan base? Winnipeg, get over yourself, the team left 10 years ago because you couldn't support it. Thursday night game last night against the thrashers and we drew 15,000+. [edited]
Posted by: Ghosthoffa | February 20, 2009 at 10:11 AM
You are wrong in so many areas. The coyotes franchise has infact improved in attendence and the product on the ice are good young players through strong drafting. The coyotes are close to 15,ooo per game and even their television ratings are up. Why such a hate for the club? The coyotes haven't made any money due to a horriable lease agreement, which has since been adjusted, which is why there is interest in the team from perspective buyers. I don't agree with all this canadian bashing of american hockey clubs, it's plain to see that you hate American sports teams.
Posted by: Jakeman | February 20, 2009 at 1:29 PM
As an ex-Winnipegger now living in Scottsdale, that article was ridiculously unfair and hypocritical. When in Wpg, the Jets: 1. never made a profit; 2. Got a ton of public financial support to cover losses; 3. never had attendance greater than the Coyotes now do; and 4. had a slew of financial problems. The Coyotes aren't receiving "millions of public funds" or closing hospitals to keep them around. Plus, you call any prospective new owner a "sucker" - but who in Winnipeg ever stood up to buy the money losing Jets before they moved in 1996? You all sure were praying for one and certainly not calling the prospects "suckers." Instead you had kids handing over their piggy banks hoping a new owner would emerge and try to turn the money losing enterprise around. Come on, the Coyotes have financial problems but this article was not even close to responsible journalism. What now you have to link crooks like Bernie Madoff to the Coyotes to help throw fuel on the anti-Coyotes fire in Canada???
Posted by: Jake16 | February 20, 2009 at 2:58 PM
i WANT mY TEAM BACK ,I WANT IT NOW.go jets
Posted by: ace | February 20, 2009 at 6:06 PM
www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/coyotes_so_ugly_investor_has_to_be_blind-39900132.html
If Little Commish can find legit taker, God bless him
By: Randy Turner
The Phoenix Coyotes slashed ticket prices up to 40 per cent last week. They had to give the team's CEO a pink slip. They've laid off front- office staff.
Other than that, everything in Phoenix is peachy keen. Thanks for asking.
But, frankly, the hemorrhaging of the Coyotes is old news, just as old as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman prattling on about how every one of the league's 30 franchises will survive longer than Dorian Gray.
No, the truly fascinating news out of Arizona this week is that -- get this -- there are apparently as many as two parties interested in paying actual money for the late Winnipeg Jets. True story.
At least, that's according to current Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes, who after losing in the vicinity of $200 million operating the team since 2001, has decided that, you know, maybe this hockey thing might not work out after all.
First, it's good to know that in the Excited States of America -- just this side of a Great Depression, with tens of thousands of job loses, trillions in government bailout money (and counting) -- they still are blithely willing to keep a hockey team in the Arizona desert at the expense of millions of dollars in public funds.
Well played.
Again, not shocking. After all, they just tore down a hospital in Pittsburgh to build a new rink for Sidney Crosby on the taxpayer's dime, so never underestimate America's threshold for building sports venues with the taxes Joe the Plumber never paid.
But back to those parties interested in buying the Coyotes. Man, those must be some crazy wild parties. The kind of party where Amy Winehouse would look around and go, "Blimey, this is getting out of hand, love."
Honestly, though, we've given Bettman a lot of grief over the years, most of it for good reason. On second thought, all of it for good reason. But if the Little Commish can unload the Coyotes on some poor sap, then our Henderson helmets are off to you, sir.
Think about it: Gary Bettman might actually sell a hockey team with no fan base that's expected to lose up to $45 million this year alone -- in the middle of the worst economic free fall since Okies were travelling through Phoenix en route to California. That's salesmanship, baby.
Now you might be asking yourself, "Geez, how does Gary do it?"
Actually, we asked ourself the same question when Bettman -- ta-da! -- came to the rescue of the Nashville Predators by procuring a hefty investment from a Mr. William (Boots) Del Biaggio III. How did that work out?, you ask. Hmmm, let's see. Last week, Del Biaggio pleaded guilty in court to securities fraud.
While awaiting sentencing, Boots has spent a lot of time reading. He's on Chapter 11, last we checked.
Of course, Bettman was the match-maker who introduced Del Biaggio to the Predators owners, who are mostly a collection of community-minded businessmen who don't have gobs of money to flush away.
And it was Bettman who soothed the masses after Del Biaggio turned out to be a convicted fraud artist. Just like former Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce McNall.
Oh, and former Buffalo Sabres owner John Rigas, who should not be confused with current Anaheim Ducks owner Henry Samueli, who is awaiting sentencing for lying to Securities and Exchange Commission investigators.
But we digress...
"Nobody in Nashville should worry," Bettman said at the time, referring to Del Biaggio. "He's a minority partner in Nashville. The Predators will be absolutely fine."
In fact, the Predators were so fine with the whole mess that they promptly sued Del Biaggio for what they believed to be losses of up to $100 million. Betcha they can't wait for Bettman to find them another "investor."
Now look, we're not saying that the next owner of the Phoenix Coyotes -- if such an animal exists -- will turn out to be a criminal. Or a huckster. Or a fraud. That wouldn't be fair... to CRIMINALS!!! Ha!
I keed, I keed.
Bottom line: We sincerely congratulate Bettman on apparently finding another suck... er, hockey-loving owner who shares a grand vision of seeing the Phoenix Coyotes make their first dollar in franchise history. That's a noble goal indeed.
Sure, if the sale actually does come to pass, it will all end horribly. Millions more will be needed to continue propping up the team.
The fan base will remain sparse and stagnant. And the Coyotes will continue to perform their function as a tax writeoff for the insanely wealthy, at the expense of Arizona's beleaguered taxpayers.
Psst. Just between us, I hear some guy named Bernie Madoff is sniffing around, too.
randy.turner@freepress.mb.ca
COMMENTS FROM READERS:
4 Comments
No fan base? Winnipeg, get over yourself, the team left 10 years ago because you couldn't support it. Thursday night game last night against the thrashers and we drew 15,000+. [edited]
Posted by: Ghosthoffa | February 20, 2009 at 10:11 AM
You are wrong in so many areas. The coyotes franchise has infact improved in attendence and the product on the ice are good young players through strong drafting. The coyotes are close to 15,ooo per game and even their television ratings are up. Why such a hate for the club? The coyotes haven't made any money due to a horriable lease agreement, which has since been adjusted, which is why there is interest in the team from perspective buyers. I don't agree with all this canadian bashing of american hockey clubs, it's plain to see that you hate American sports teams.
Posted by: Jakeman | February 20, 2009 at 1:29 PM
As an ex-Winnipegger now living in Scottsdale, that article was ridiculously unfair and hypocritical. When in Wpg, the Jets: 1. never made a profit; 2. Got a ton of public financial support to cover losses; 3. never had attendance greater than the Coyotes now do; and 4. had a slew of financial problems. The Coyotes aren't receiving "millions of public funds" or closing hospitals to keep them around. Plus, you call any prospective new owner a "sucker" - but who in Winnipeg ever stood up to buy the money losing Jets before they moved in 1996? You all sure were praying for one and certainly not calling the prospects "suckers." Instead you had kids handing over their piggy banks hoping a new owner would emerge and try to turn the money losing enterprise around. Come on, the Coyotes have financial problems but this article was not even close to responsible journalism. What now you have to link crooks like Bernie Madoff to the Coyotes to help throw fuel on the anti-Coyotes fire in Canada???
Posted by: Jake16 | February 20, 2009 at 2:58 PM
i WANT mY TEAM BACK ,I WANT IT NOW.go jets
Posted by: ace | February 20, 2009 at 6:06 PM
www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/coyotes_so_ugly_investor_has_to_be_blind-39900132.html