tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
I remember that arena upgrade story too now that you mention it. That makes a bit more sense if it's the reason behind that number.
“We continue to have discussions with different prospective investors or buyers of the franchise,” Gearon told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week. “The comments I made in February generated some preliminary interest. I wish there was more. There are some people we are talking to, but nothing that is far enough along at this stage that it deserves further comment.”
Since February, the Spirit has had at least preliminary talks with several individuals or groups interested in buying the Thrashers and keeping them in Atlanta. Some parties also have expressed interest in the Spirit’s other holdings: the Hawks and the Philips Arena operating rights. But there is no indication that a deal is close with any of the parties.
“There is still a sense of urgency, and that has not changed one bit,” Gearon said. “Each day that goes by, we need to find a solution.”
Gearon: “But we need others in the community that are willing to come in and either invest alongside us or buy the franchise. I would be more than happy to stay in and roll over my equity and continue to participate as a minority partner.”
Thrashers president Don Waddell has been dealing with prospective purchasers who are interested in keeping the team in Atlanta. He told the AJC this week that two such prospects are currently in the mix, both from out of town.
“I’m optimistic we have some potential buyers out there,” Waddell said. “Is anything close? No. These things always take time. The disappointing thing is we don’t have anybody locally. There was one local group early on, but they faded away.”
If people are still claming there is a Balkan even after ASG just admitted there isn't once you need to give your head a shake... You can thank Kincade for the Balkin lies...
I mean seriously.. Gearon just said there are no local buyers for the Thrashers.. What else will it take to dismiss this Balkan?
Do you put your faith in a shoe or Gearon? I feel bad for Atlanta fans having to deal with this false hope... You guys deserve better.
Kincade's already said that The Balkan is not a local owner.
If you want to believe or not believe that The Balkan exists, that's your business. But Gearon and Waddell said nothing that disproves (or proves, for that matter) that The Balkan exists.
I'm going to assume you made the same mistake I did, and mistook no local interest as no interest in keeping the team local. There is a difference, and Waddell pointed out that while there is no local interest, there is interest in keeping the team in Atlanta.
A local owner means someone who will own the team locally. I am quite sure the zip code of where he sleeps is irrelevant.
Thrashers president Don Waddell has been dealing with prospective purchasers who are interested in keeping the team in Atlanta. He told the AJC this week that two such prospects are currently in the mix, both from out of town.
Right, I made the mistake of thinking it meant no one wanted to own the team in Atlanta (ie only interest was in moving them).
A local owner means someone who will own the team locally. I am quite sure the zip code of where he sleeps is irrelevant.
Ahhhhh....I'm pretty sure that is what he is saying.
Local owner=someone who won't move the team.
Since there are no local owner types who are interested in the team, then the 2 prospective buyers want to move the team.
This is, at least, what I could gather.
Thrashers president Don Waddell has been dealing with prospective purchasers who are interested in keeping the team in Atlanta. He told the AJC this week that two such prospects are currently in the mix, both from out of town.
Some people either are nto very good at reading, or read very selectively. From the article, quoted above:
Another case of people reading different stories in the same report.
The AJC article is titled, "Uncertain Future Looms over Thrashers"
TSN's title doesn't really stray too far from that theme.
You seem to be confusing being paid to act as a front-man for a potential ownership group with actual interest in ownership itself. MacLean also played that role for Balsillie for a few months. He was simply acting as a hired consultant in both cases.
You also state that he makes things up and claims them as facts; perhaps they are facts but don't fit in with your own narrative so you dispute their veracity? Again, I'm much more inclined to take the word of a former NHL GM than would I the words of a clearly disgruntled and anonymous fan of the franchise that GM used to manage.
This is way off topic though, as such is also my last post on the matter. If you wish to further attempt to straw man Doug MacLean for some bizarre reason, carry on.
One deliberately misleads the reader (for the sole purpose of hits, gossip, and propaganda) and one just states a fact. There's a difference.
Is the Thrashers' future uncertain? Yes.
Are they having trouble finding local investors? No. There are two that are interested in just the Thrashers (if I read that right).
It's pretty clear from the comments that ASG only wants to sell their sake in the Thrashers. Gearon's original cry for help in February was in reference to only the Thrashers. Now a few months later, it's a very similar call for help, and you'll notice that Gearon is not quoted as saying anything about a group buying all 3 or "the Balkan"
I think people are so used to the saga in Phoenix, that they forget what a real sale looks like.
That is, very little, if any at all, is conducted in public.
As I've said before, this is going to be a long and bumpy ride. Strap in tight.
Go take a look at the Dallas thread, plenty of information about serious buyers, include one who is in an exclusive period of negotiations (not to mention the fact that we know his name).