Post by scottie65 on May 10, 2009 13:56:56 GMT -5
Waddell dismisses report of Thrashers move
By CHRIS VIVLAMORE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said the NHL franchise will not be moving any time soon.
A Canadian newspaper reported Saturday that a Vancouver-based group is interested in buying the Thrashers and moving them to Hamilton, Ontario.
“There is no truth to it,” Waddell said Saturday night. “We are not a movable franchise. I have talked to our owners, and no one has had contact with any group.”
Waddell cited several reasons the Thrashers won’t move. The Atlanta Spirit is currently involved in litigation with co-owner Steve Belkin that must be resolved. The naming rights to Philips Arena are tied to it housing both an NHL and an NBA franchise. Also, according to Waddell, the ownership group signed a commitment letter to the league to keep the team in Atlanta a specified number of years. Waddell would not disclose the number of years left on the letter but said it was “multiple.”
“I’ve been through this so many times, but the truth is there are too many obstacles,” Waddell said.
The Hamilton Spectator reported that a group is interested in buying the team and relocating it in time for the 2010-11 season.
The newspaper also reported that there are rumors that several other groups are interested in bringing a team to Hamilton.
According to the paper, the city is already working on a proposed lease of the Copps Coliseum to billionaire Jim Balsillie, who hopes to buy the Phoenix Coyotes and move them to the city for the 2009-10 season.
www.ajc.com/thrashers/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2009/05/09/thrashers_move_ontario.html
By CHRIS VIVLAMORE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said the NHL franchise will not be moving any time soon.
A Canadian newspaper reported Saturday that a Vancouver-based group is interested in buying the Thrashers and moving them to Hamilton, Ontario.
“There is no truth to it,” Waddell said Saturday night. “We are not a movable franchise. I have talked to our owners, and no one has had contact with any group.”
Waddell cited several reasons the Thrashers won’t move. The Atlanta Spirit is currently involved in litigation with co-owner Steve Belkin that must be resolved. The naming rights to Philips Arena are tied to it housing both an NHL and an NBA franchise. Also, according to Waddell, the ownership group signed a commitment letter to the league to keep the team in Atlanta a specified number of years. Waddell would not disclose the number of years left on the letter but said it was “multiple.”
“I’ve been through this so many times, but the truth is there are too many obstacles,” Waddell said.
The Hamilton Spectator reported that a group is interested in buying the team and relocating it in time for the 2010-11 season.
The newspaper also reported that there are rumors that several other groups are interested in bringing a team to Hamilton.
According to the paper, the city is already working on a proposed lease of the Copps Coliseum to billionaire Jim Balsillie, who hopes to buy the Phoenix Coyotes and move them to the city for the 2009-10 season.
www.ajc.com/thrashers/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2009/05/09/thrashers_move_ontario.html