Sell, Sell, Sell in the NHL
Written by Daniel Turner, Thursday May 27 2010
The run for the Cup is down to two teams, but more franchises are looking to find new owners in time for next season. The saga of the Phoenix Coyotes is known by everyone, but they are not alone in finding the southern part of the U.S. less than lucrative when it comes to the ice bound sport.
While NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman continues to tell anyone who will listen that the Coyotes will remain in Arizona he may soon have to spin the same yarn for the Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes and possibly the Los Angeles Kings. Kings owners Philip Anschutz and Ed Roski deny the team is for sale, but they have been talking to potential suitors.
On the other hand, Carolina hired Allen & Co. to explore selling 50% of the franchise. While Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos confirms the hiring of Allen he insists that it does not necessarily indicate he is looking to sell 100% of the team. He claims that it is to find someone to replace former 50% owner Tom Thewes who died two years ago. However, he does admit that he is losing money and has become a victim of the nation’s economic woes. That has been symptomatic of most NHL franchises located below the Mason-Dixon Line.
Karmanos, who resides in Michigan, states he is hoping to sell to someone in North Carolina so that a local presence can guide the team. Many interpret that as a sign that Karmanos wants to shed the team. The Atlanta Thrashers also state they want to find someone local so they can remain in Atlanta, but as more NHL franchises go on the market buyers will gain the initiative and teams could be on the move.
Winnipeg and Hamilton are Canadian sites that have expressed interest in a franchise and a lack of buyers in the U.S. could make their dreams come true.
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