Post by WpgJets2008 on Jul 17, 2009 20:10:12 GMT -5
LIGHTNING'S BARRIE PROVIDES NHL WITH PROOF OF FUNDS
Darren Dreger, TSN.ca July 17, 2009 5:07pm
tsn.ca/columnists/darren_dreger/?id=284904
Len Barrie supplied the National Hockey League with a letter of credit showing he has the funds to maintain his ownership stake in the Tampa Bay Lightning.
When contacted by TSN, Barrie said he wasn't able to comment on future ownership but he was very pleased with his meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
"The league is satisfied and things are progressing nicely," Barrie concluded.
Earlier this week the St. Petersburg Times reported Barrie was told by Bettman that he had a Friday deadline to prove that he had $10 million and could continue to fund the team.
There have been numerous reports of friction with Tampa's ownership over the last few months. As it stands now, co-owner Oren Koules acts as the Chief Executive Officer and league governor for the team, but Barrie's input is required for major personnel decisions.
Bettman called a meeting with the two owners and general manager Brian Lawton on June 23 in an attempt to try to solve the power struggle that has developed between the owners.
Editor's Notes:
Sounds like the good old "cash calls" that were given out by the Oilers to their group of owners in the 90's! They hung on long enough to reach a salary cap and revenue sharing plan in a good market, so what reason are these Southern teams hanging on for? A US TV deal? Been there done that! They aren't stupid enough to do that again!
Given the trouble between the 2 owners and the "power play" move to find new investors to buy the other owner out, this has the potential to be the next team in play (if it isn't already behind closed NHL doors).
It will be very interesting how the local and national media "hound" the Lightning when they arrive in Winnipeg in late September (just 10 weeks time). If they ask all the questions that we would like to be asked then there might not be much to stories about their troubles, unless they spill the beans obviously. However, if the media steers clear of the relocation question or of the team's off-ice troubles, then I'd have to think that that would be by request. You might say that is conspiracy theory nonsense but look at how the NHL worked the Coyotes deal of the past 12 months: All cloak and dagger movement. Denial of the obvious until a court mandates the truth!!
And if there's a Winnipeg sighting of a certain "unnamed" media tycoon who lives in Toronto during that same week as the Lightning exhibition game, then the Jet-o-meter can swing to the high 90's!
Like lottery 6/49 says, "HURRY! better get your (season) ticket!"
Chris
Darren Dreger, TSN.ca July 17, 2009 5:07pm
tsn.ca/columnists/darren_dreger/?id=284904
Len Barrie supplied the National Hockey League with a letter of credit showing he has the funds to maintain his ownership stake in the Tampa Bay Lightning.
When contacted by TSN, Barrie said he wasn't able to comment on future ownership but he was very pleased with his meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
"The league is satisfied and things are progressing nicely," Barrie concluded.
Earlier this week the St. Petersburg Times reported Barrie was told by Bettman that he had a Friday deadline to prove that he had $10 million and could continue to fund the team.
There have been numerous reports of friction with Tampa's ownership over the last few months. As it stands now, co-owner Oren Koules acts as the Chief Executive Officer and league governor for the team, but Barrie's input is required for major personnel decisions.
Bettman called a meeting with the two owners and general manager Brian Lawton on June 23 in an attempt to try to solve the power struggle that has developed between the owners.
Editor's Notes:
Sounds like the good old "cash calls" that were given out by the Oilers to their group of owners in the 90's! They hung on long enough to reach a salary cap and revenue sharing plan in a good market, so what reason are these Southern teams hanging on for? A US TV deal? Been there done that! They aren't stupid enough to do that again!
Given the trouble between the 2 owners and the "power play" move to find new investors to buy the other owner out, this has the potential to be the next team in play (if it isn't already behind closed NHL doors).
It will be very interesting how the local and national media "hound" the Lightning when they arrive in Winnipeg in late September (just 10 weeks time). If they ask all the questions that we would like to be asked then there might not be much to stories about their troubles, unless they spill the beans obviously. However, if the media steers clear of the relocation question or of the team's off-ice troubles, then I'd have to think that that would be by request. You might say that is conspiracy theory nonsense but look at how the NHL worked the Coyotes deal of the past 12 months: All cloak and dagger movement. Denial of the obvious until a court mandates the truth!!
And if there's a Winnipeg sighting of a certain "unnamed" media tycoon who lives in Toronto during that same week as the Lightning exhibition game, then the Jet-o-meter can swing to the high 90's!
Like lottery 6/49 says, "HURRY! better get your (season) ticket!"
Chris