Ducks Sold!

[Pepper]

Disney agrees to sell Mighty Ducks

Associated Press
2/25/2005

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - The Walt Disney Co. agreed to sell the Anaheim Mighty Ducks to billionaire Henry Samueli and his wife Susan.

The deal, announced Friday by Samueli, is subject to approval by the NHL. Samueli's company operates Arrowhead Pond, where the Mighty Ducks play.

''The Mighty Ducks have become a wonderful asset to this community, with a terrific following, a history of winning and a strong nucleus of outstanding young prospects and talented veterans,'' Samueli said. ''Our acquisition of the team assures that the Mighty Ducks will remain in the hands of local ownership committed to keeping the team in Orange County and putting a consistent winner on the ice.''

Disney paid $50 million US for the Ducks to join the NHL as an expansion franchise in 1992. Samueli's offer reportedly was in the $50 to $60 million range.

Although the Ducks were Western Conference champions and went to the Stanley Cup final during the 2002-2003 season, Disney has had them on the market for years.

''We are confident that Henry and Susan Samueli will bring continued success to the Ducks and we will remain among the biggest fans of the team going forward,'' Disney chief executive Michael Eisner said.

Click to read more...

 

[Riddarn]

To do list.

1. Change name

 

[go_leafs_go02]

To do list.

1. Change name

Los Angeles Mighty Ducks of Anaheim sound good?

 

[GKJ]

Sweet. He has money. Money is good.



This almost assures that ESPN will not bring back the NHL. Time for Gary to get moving on finding a cable tv deal.


Pepper, got a link for that?

 

[Riddarn]

Los Angeles Mighty Ducks of Anaheim sound good?

I don't care as long as it doesn't have "mighty ducks" in it.

 

[PecaFan]

Well, that pretty much lays to rest the tired old "They make all their money when the sell the team" refrain of the NHLPA and supporters.

Bought the team for $50 million, lost god knows how much cash over the last 10 years (probably $100+ million), and barely got their purchase price back.

link is http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=116161

 

[Mess]

To do list.

1. Change name

Good idea .. How about the "Team formerly know as Prince I mean Mighty Ducks"..

 

[Pepper]

Anaheim Ducks works for me....It's like Pittsburgh Penguins...

 

[Duff88]

Is there actually any chance they change the team's name?

 

[monkey_00*]

To do list.

1. Change name

Sounds like a great idea...........new name and new jerseys too..........and maybe instead of referring to them as Anaheim might be better to call them "California"...........California something.

 

[mmbt]

Bought the team for $50 million, lost god knows how much cash over the last 10 years (probably $100+ million), and barely got their purchase price back.

First few years (through about '97-98) they were making money hand over fist. Sellouts every night, merchandising was among the highest in sports ... but after the Ron Wilson firing and the Kariya holdout things got ugly in a hurry, and they haven't been able to get the goodwill back.

 

[AH]

Los Angeles Mighty Ducks of Anaheim sound good?

Post of the year. :lol

 

[Dirk316]

Since the name has been such a joke for so long they need to ditch the whole theme of Ducks altogether.

 

[shadoz19]

Now I wonder if the owners will actually aprove this...

 

[RedSoxNation]

Bought the team for $50 million, lost god knows how much cash over the last 10 years (probably $100+ million), and barely got their purchase price back.

didn't they pay the guy that used to own the Kings a fee for moving into that territory

 

[mmbt]

Pocket change to Samueli ... he made Forbes' list of the richest people in the world for the last couple of years.

 

[leaflover]

Is there actually any chance they change the team's name?

I would hope thats high on the list of priorities.
And it makes sense,those that purchased the team would likely do very well on new name/logo merchandise sales.

 

[ceber]

...instead of referring to them as Anaheim might be better to call them "California"...........California something.

... Golden Seals.... No need to pay anyone do design a new logo.

 

[TruGr1t]

Now I wonder if the owners will actually aprove this...

This is my question. I thought the league specifically said if the Ducks were going for between 50-60 million they would buy the team themselves. Wasn't there a quote or article on this?

 

[leaflover]

... Golden Seals.... No need to pay anyone do design a new logo.

And those white skates could be dusted off and sharpened. :lol

 

[leaflover]

This is my question. I thought the league specifically said if the Ducks were going for between 50-60 million they would buy the team themselves. Wasn't there a quote or article on this?

Great avatar westcoast.
I think thats the 1st one thats made me LOL.

 

[jeffbear]

How about the Mighty Golden Seals of the Greater LA Metropolitan Area?

That works.

 

[me2]

Anaheim Ducks works for me....It's like Pittsburgh Penguins...

Nothing wrong with plain old "Ducks"

 

[leaflover]

Nothing wrong with plain old "Ducks"

Thats might be a hard sell for merchandise.

 

[Keetz]

This is my question. I thought the league specifically said if the Ducks were going for between 50-60 million they would buy the team themselves. Wasn't there a quote or article on this?

yeah but this guy already holds the lease for the pond I think.