Evansville Lease Trouble

[mfrerkes]

Forget the mayor. Geary probably did it just to mess with you.

Given the pathological small-mindedness of Ron Geary, that wouldn't surprise me either. Unfortunately, for Ronald, I find this move of his far more entertaining than exasperating. If I ever see him (not likely) I will thank him for the comedic value of the events of this past week.

Sadly, it's the fans in Evansville who don't find this Owensboro gambit quite as entertaining and/or comedic as I do.

 

[mfrerkes]

It makes zero sense economically-UNLESS a casino or some significant amount of gambling machinery is part of the package.

It makes zero sense whether slot machines and roulette tables are involved, or not. If Geary wants to have a gambling parlor in Owensboro, he should just do that. Spending millions on a dumpy ice rink isn't going to increase his profit margins from operating a casino.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

It makes zero sense whether slot machines and roulette tables are involved, or not. If Geary wants to have a gambling parlor in Owensboro, he should just do that. Spending millions on a dumpy ice rink isn't going to increase his profit margins from operating a casino.

You work for the mayor? You seem to have it out for Geary.

A complete casino operation is a big money deal. A combo casino/entertainment complex is a pretty common strategy. No doubt that a 66 year old facility doesn't seem to be a very good fit. I really don't have any clue on what may or may not be a good strategy for Owensboro with respect to casino building.

Once again, I don't see this Owensboro move/ice rink renovation coming to pass save for a casino option. Also, given that Geary owns a race track/VLT complex in Henderson, KY, it really doesn't make sense unless he plans to close Ellis Park, which I doubt.

I'll guess a suspension of the Ice Men franchise or a deal with the City will be what ultimately happens.

 

[CrazyEddie20]

It makes zero sense whether slot machines and roulette tables are involved, or not. If Geary wants to have a gambling parlor in Owensboro, he should just do that. Spending millions on a dumpy ice rink isn't going to increase his profit margins from operating a casino.

Spending millions on a dumpy ice rink isn't going to increase his profit margins from operating a casino... but it may have a significant effect on how much income tax he pays on the profit from operating that casino...

 

[Gibbie42]

In fact it does seem that gambling is involved. Part of the deal with Owensboro was that he'd be allowed to open an off-track betting facility in Owensboro (remember he also own Ellis Park Racing in Henderson). Apparently this is something he's wanted for years. The city of Evansville wouldn't offer it because the Tropicana is investing in a landbased casino complex due to begin construction soon (they current operate a river boat). Mayor Payne offered that in the deal. In fact, although the text doesnt' say it, the video has a quip from Ron Payne that says something on the order of I told him he could get an OTB if he brought the IceMen to Owensboro.

http://www.14news.com/story/31015120/evansville-icemen-officially-moving-to-owensboro

So it appears that the whole thing may have revolved around that deal. Whether or not he was ever serious in negotiating with the city, I do not know. I certainly believed that he was. But if he wanted to go to Owensboro why not just be upfront about that? It's a very tough time right now. I'm angry, sad and disappointed all at the same time.

And poor Joe Babik at the league must be tearing his hair out. You send an e-mail to them about the IceMen and you get this response:

"Thank you for your email and support of the IceMen. The situation surrounding the team has not been resolved. No relocation of any team can occur without the approval of the ECHL Board of Governors. We will get a complete update on the team's plans at our upcoming League Meetings in February."

He must just have that ready to copy/paste, everyone is getting the same verbiage. What a mess this all is.

 

[mfrerkes]

You work for the mayor? You seem to have it out for Geary.

Watching a guy completely screw over his fan base because he wants a free ride from the city of Evansville (and/or a horse-betting facility in Owensboro) does make me dislike the guy a whole bunch. I'm not alone. Read the comments on the IceMen's Facebook page. What I've said about Geary is very tame by comparison.

I'll guess a suspension of the Ice Men franchise or a deal with the City will be what ultimately happens.

There will be no last-second deal with the city of Evansville. Geary has burnt that bridge to a crisp. The city council is no longer going to deal with a guy who is bat-dung crazy. In fact, the Ford Center probably has a new tenant lined up, but is waiting for the ink to dry before going public. Plus, they need this current hockey crapstorm to die down so it won't look premeditated.

Suspension of the franchise? That seems possible, but I'm not 100% sure the ECHL will go nuclear on Geary. They may roll the dice on this proposal if Geary can blow enough smoke up their...whatever...to convince the BOG it will work.

 

[Sports Enthusiast]

Joe Babik isn't good for anything.

 

[STL Blues Fan]

Dang my wife's parents live in Evansville and we go see the Icemen sometimes when we go there. Sucks they probably won't be there any more. If they do move to Owensboro though it isn't that far away so we could probably see a game or two there if the franchise doesn't get suspended.

Edit: The Ford Center is nice. They should negotiate for an AHL franchise instead.

 

[Woo Hockey]

IceMen owner cried wolf far too often

 

[mfrerkes]

Evansville's mayor is set to make an announcement tomorrow about hockey at the Ford Center:

http://www.courierpress.com/news/lo...c7-937a-5ad2-e053-0100007f3d80-367975631.html

My guess is they've secured another team in a different league. It would make little sense for the mayor to hold a press conference announcing they don't have a Ford Center hockey tenant lined up for this fall. But, this Evansville hockey drama has been largely unpredictable, so anything is possible.

 

[Sports Enthusiast]

Can't imagine its that the icemen are staying and you're probably right its a different league. I can't see the demand for the ECHl to return there from a league standpoint.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

USHL would be their best bet IMO. But I bet it'll be SPHL.

 

[mfrerkes]

USHL would be their best bet IMO. But I bet it'll be SPHL.

You would be correct.

http://www.courierpress.com/topstor...nnecke-hockey-press-conference-368072581.html

The team has yet to be named. Tickets will supposedly be cheaper than the IceMen's were. Once you figure how much time and money a person could invest driving to the SportsDump in Owensboro...I'll bet the Evansville SPHL club is going to peel away a massive share of local families who want to watch hockey.

Geary looks like an even bigger idiot right about now.

 

[Hurricane Ron]

So if a lease in Evansville can be worked out with an SPHL team, why couldn't one be worked out with the Icemen? Does the new owner of the SPHL team need a loss for a tax write off?

Has the ECHL "officially" approved the move of the Icemen to Kentucky?

 

[mfrerkes]

So if a lease in Evansville can be worked out with an SPHL team, why couldn't one be worked out with the Icemen? Does the new owner of the SPHL team need a loss for a tax write off?

Has the ECHL "officially" approved the move of the Icemen to Kentucky?

To answer your first question, the hang-up on working out a deal with the IceMen was Ron Geary's oversized ego. The new owner is apparently more grounded in reality and doesn't expect the city to pay his bills.

The second question is still shrouded in mystery. If the ECHL approves this insane plan to relocate the IceMen to Owensboro, the league is openly courting disaster. But, that is what minor league hockey does best...so I'm betting the BOG has given a green light to the move.

I'm not sure Geary is going to follow through, even if he wants to. No respectable bank is going to loan him $7 million to redecorate a dump that probably should be torn down. Unless he plans on financing this himself (not likely, since the dude is quite literally a cheapskate) I don't see where the money is coming from to make it happen.

I fully expect some awkward announcement in the middle of May stating that Geary could not secure the necessary financing. That's good news for him, since an economically-priced SPHL product in Evansville will vacuum up what few crumbs remain of his fan support.

 

[Sports Enthusiast]

To answer your first question, the hang-up on working out a deal with the IceMen was Ron Geary's oversized ego. The new owner is apparently more grounded in reality and doesn't expect the city to pay his bills.

The second question is still shrouded in mystery. If the ECHL approves this insane plan to relocate the IceMen to Owensboro, the league is openly courting disaster. But, that is what minor league hockey does best...so I'm betting the BOG has given a green light to the move.

I'm not sure Geary is going to follow through, even if he wants to. No respectable bank is going to loan him $7 million to redecorate a dump that probably should be torn down. Unless he plans on financing this himself (not likely, since the dude is quite literally a cheapskate) I don't see where the money is coming from to make it happen.

I fully expect some awkward announcement in the middle of May stating that Geary could not secure the necessary financing. That's good news for him, since an economically-priced SPHL product in Evansville will vacuum up what few crumbs remain of his fan support.

Ron Geary....the Can Newton of the ECHL.

Even if they approve it good luck being ready for the fall. Then time will pass and eventually it will never happen will be my guess.

 

[Sports Enthusiast]

You would be correct.

http://www.courierpress.com/topstor...nnecke-hockey-press-conference-368072581.html

The team has yet to be named. Tickets will supposedly be cheaper than the IceMen's were. Once you figure how much time and money a person could invest driving to the SportsDump in Owensboro...I'll bet the Evansville SPHL club is going to peel away a massive share of local families who want to watch hockey.

Geary looks like an even bigger idiot right about now.

Well I'd hope the tickets are cheaper since its a level drop.

 

[royals119]

To answer your first question, the hang-up on working out a deal with the IceMen was Ron Geary's oversized ego. The new owner is apparently more grounded in reality and doesn't expect the city to pay his bills.

The real question is, did the city give the new SPHL owner a better deal than they were offering Geary, or did the new SPHL owner take the deal that Geary turned down - and in that case, how is he going to keep a lower budget team afloat with a lease that supposedly is untenable for an ECHL team?

 

[Scoutin1]

Ok, so, the Ford Center couldn't count on an ECHL franchise to over-pay in order to cover operating costs for a venue that should never have been built, but a SPHL franchise will. Everyone may as well just dump their last dollar betting on how long this fiasco will last. I set the over/under at two seasons. Many want to make Geary the sole villain, but the truth will reveal something different, and every hockey fan in Evansville will ultimately be the loser. Will the Purple Aces see a sudden, inexplicable raise in rent...?

 

[Sports Enthusiast]

Never thought the icemen would last this long to begin with. The team that started in a rec rink.

 

[Hurricane Ron]

So why couldn't the City of Evansville come up with a lease agreement for the Icemen? The Sin Bin has a letter from the SPHL welcoming Evansville, and noting that ticket prices should be half of what the Icemen have been charging. That would indicate the lease amount has to be less than what has been charged...or the new owner just needs a loss for tax purposes.

As there hasn't been a formal announcement from the ECHL regarding the shifting of the franchise to Owensboro, KY, makes you wonder if the owner of the Icemen won't have another option of moving the team to another city; or if the team goes dormant for a season.

In any event, if I were an Icemen supporter, I'd be extremely hacked off by these developments.

 

[Scoutin1]

So why couldn't the City of Evansville come up with a lease agreement for the Icemen? The Sin Bin has a letter from the SPHL welcoming Evansville, and noting that ticket prices should be half of what the Icemen have been charging. That would indicate the lease amount has to be less than what has been charged...or the new owner just needs a loss for tax purposes.

As there hasn't been a formal announcement from the ECHL regarding the shifting of the franchise to Owensboro, KY, makes you wonder if the owner of the Icemen won't have another option of moving the team to another city; or if the team goes dormant for a season.

In any event, if I were an Icemen supporter, I'd be extremely hacked off by these developments.

It may be due the fact that Evansville doesn't want the negative PR hit. The city wanted both the Icemen and the Purple Aces to cover the operating expenses of the Ford Center. That's too much for either to finance. But hey, make Geary the scapegoat and a narrative can be framed to soften any negative impact on the arena and its management. Meanwhile, losses for the Ford Center steadily grow.

 

[Clinton Comets EHL]

So why couldn't the City of Evansville come up with a lease agreement for the Icemen? The Sin Bin has a letter from the SPHL welcoming Evansville, and noting that ticket prices should be half of what the Icemen have been charging. That would indicate the lease amount has to be less than what has been charged...or the new owner just needs a loss for tax purposes.

As there hasn't been a formal announcement from the ECHL regarding the shifting of the franchise to Owensboro, KY, makes you wonder if the owner of the Icemen won't have another option of moving the team to another city; or if the team goes dormant for a season.

In any event, if I were an Icemen supporter, I'd be extremely hacked off by these developments.

I doubt the ticket prices are going to be half' it's impossible to even think about survival. I agree I would be hacked off if I was an Icemen supporter.

 

[GindyDraws]

So why couldn't the City of Evansville come up with a lease agreement for the Icemen? The Sin Bin has a letter from the SPHL welcoming Evansville, and noting that ticket prices should be half of what the Icemen have been charging. That would indicate the lease amount has to be less than what has been charged...or the new owner just needs a loss for tax purposes.

As there hasn't been a formal announcement from the ECHL regarding the shifting of the franchise to Owensboro, KY, makes you wonder if the owner of the Icemen won't have another option of moving the team to another city; or if the team goes dormant for a season.

In any event, if I were an Icemen supporter, I'd be extremely hacked off by these developments.

Yeah, I'd really would be pissed.

Man, it sucks that Indiana's losing one of the 3 ECHL clubs, but considering all this, a part of me is not surprised. I think they might've done a fair deal with the SPHL guy because, unlike Geary, he was more willing, but hopefully they'll make things cheaper in concessions, too.

So... does this mean the Icemen ARE moving to Owensboro, or this is the end of the ECHL incarnation of this team?

 

[mfrerkes]

So why couldn't the City of Evansville come up with a lease agreement for the Icemen?

They did come up with an agreement for the IceMen. Geary rejected it, and ran off to Owensboro in a huff. The city of Evansville offered the exact same agreement to the new SPHL owner, and he signed it.

The problem in all of this hasn't been the city of Evansville. It has been Ron Geary. He expected the city to subsidize his losses. They weren't going to do that, no matter how big of a public tantrum he threw.