Group offered $500 million for Hawks/Philips Arena/Thrashers on May 20

[AllByDesign]

BY A$G's OWN DESIGN. Hard to say that's all they were left with when that's EXACTLY what they wanted from the beginning & then went to the extent of covering everything up & shedding fake tears over it all.


That's the sticking point in most ATL fan's craw. The constant deception, the "deal with it" attitude, the exclusive negotiations for the arena/hawks (ie the c0ckblock for local buyers), and the list goes on.

ATL fans know that certain parties wanted to keep the team local but these parties were either ignored (outright dismissed), or withdrew once they figured out what was going on with A$G. Having the NHL & A$G continue to say "no one wants to keep them in town" only twists the knife in the fan's back deeper.

A$G was NEVER going to sell to someone local. The whole thing was a sham to kick the NHL out of town

IF the NHL ever does come back to the city, all we as fans can hope for are better owner who really, really care this time (really).

On one hand I'm very sad to see them leave. On the other hand, I'm absolutely glad to be rid of the worst owners in the history of the game.

I do sympathize for the Atlanta hockey fan. It isn't right, nor is it good for the sport of hockey nor the NHL as a "brand".

I believe there was a conspiracy, right out of the box ABD, going back to the time they purchased the Thrashers/Hawks & won the arena mgmnt contract. Oh sure, it changed from time to time as they fought each other which ultimately held up the eventual sale of the franchise, but that was the plan all along, get rid of the team. They succeeded. Hopefully, the people of Atlanta can somehow get rid of these idjits before they also completely destroy the Hawks & continue to let the Philips fall into rack & ruin.

I think some are giving the ASG too much credit for the ability to cook up such a plan from the outset. They have clearly demonstrated that they would have little success organizing a 5 year olds birthday party, let alone a conspiracy to oust the NHL from Atlanta. They couldn't agree on anything as a comittee. Like trying to watch two people dressed in a "Cow Suit" trying to walk in opposite directions.

Multiple agendas, no clearly defined strategy for any of their ventures, poor taste in clothing, and arguments over what coffee to order in.

I can't buy into the line of thinking being presented.

 

[Killion]

Multiple agendas, no clearly defined strategy for any of their ventures, poor taste in clothing, and arguments over what coffee to order in. I can't buy into the line of thinking being presented.

True enough, their dysfunctional, ascribing any kind of a plan that they could actually execute, a 5yr olds birthday party included seems a stretch. Its just my opinion, instinct, that they were looking for a way to parachute the team out of town at the first opportunity virtually from day one. More by accident than AllByDesign they got their wish. Apparently God does look after drunks, morons, the sartorially challenged; answers their prayers, grants the odd wish, wicked or not from time-time.

 

[Blasto]

I do sympathize for the Atlanta hockey fan. It isn't right, nor is it good for the sport of hockey nor the NHL as a "brand".



I think some are giving the ASG too much credit for the ability to cook up such a plan from the outset. They have clearly demonstrated that they would have little success organizing a 5 year olds birthday party, let alone a conspiracy to oust the NHL from Atlanta. They couldn't agree on anything as a comittee. Like trying to watch two people dressed in a "Cow Suit" trying to walk in opposite directions.

Multiple agendas, no clearly defined strategy for any of their ventures, poor taste in clothing, and arguments over what coffee to order in.

I can't buy into the line of thinking being presented.

The only thing that bound them together was their distaste for owning a hockey team.

Oh, and suing each other.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I think some are giving the ASG too much credit for the ability to cook up such a plan from the outset.

One thing ASG is very good at is paying their lawyers for advice. The way things turned out seemed very... lawyerly.

I mean, think about it. In early May, you had the following things taking place simultaneously:

1) ASG quietly works out a deal with TSNE to relocate the team.

2) ASG signs an exclusivity agreement which would shut out any possibility of negotiating the sale of the Thrashers as part of a package with the Hawks.

3) Members of ASG make media appearances in which they comically ask the public to present them with potential buyers for the team. That's a "good faith effort", right? One that would stand up if challenged but could not be successful.

If those things had taken place over a long period of time, that would be one thing. But for them all to happen at the same time just seems unbelievably well coordinated for the purpose of satisfying NHL bylaws while also guaranteeing a sale to TSNE. It's really hard to believe they are both incompetent and highly efficient at the same time.

 

[PitbulI]

So what is to be done then?

If it's the NHLs agenda to sell the team to TNSE then it's done. Nothing anyone can do about it.

Judging by Winnipegs embrace of this team they don't even know yet, I feel the NHL made a really good decision.

Atlanta is too large not to get another NHL team down the line. Winnipeg waited 15 years and had to grow a lot to get it back, Atlanta will have to do less than half of that.

 

[Confucius]

So what is to be done then?

If it's the NHLs agenda to sell the team to TNSE then it's done. Nothing anyone can do about it.

Judging by Winnipegs embrace of this team they don't even know yet, I feel the NHL made a really good decision.

Atlanta is too large not to get another NHL team down the line. Winnipeg waited 15 years and had to grow a lot to get it back, Atlanta will have to do less than half of that.

Atlanta will have to do alot. Just look at the way cities are fighting to keep teams, the NHL party line, we don't run out on teams. Atlanta would have to wait until some owner throws a team out and even then they wouldn't be first on the list of places to get a team. So yeah after 4 or 5 owners throw the team out Atlanta may get a team.

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

One thing ASG is very good at is paying their lawyers for advice. The way things turned out seemed very... lawyerly.

I mean, think about it. In early May, you had the following things taking place simultaneously:

1) ASG quietly works out a deal with TSNE to relocate the team.

2) ASG signs an exclusivity agreement which would shut out any possibility of negotiating the sale of the Thrashers as part of a package with the Hawks.

3) Members of ASG make media appearances in which they comically ask the public to present them with potential buyers for the team. That's a "good faith effort", right? One that would stand up if challenged but could not be successful.

If those things had taken place over a long period of time, that would be one thing. But for them all to happen at the same time just seems unbelievably well coordinated for the purpose of satisfying NHL bylaws while also guaranteeing a sale to TSNE. It's really hard to believe they are both incompetent and highly efficient at the same time.

And to add on, all of those things happened soon after:

--The reported 7 year guarentee to not relocate that ASG signed when they bought the Thrashers expired, and

--ASG gained the legal ability to sell after the buyout of Steven Belkin.

As soon as the Thrashers could be put up for sale to be relocated, they were. Not a minute later.

 

[cbcwpg]

Waddell's search for Thrashers buyer included more than 20 groups

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-thrashers/waddells-search-for-thrashers-984433.html

However, his main focus the past five months has been finding a buyer willing to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta. According to Waddell, he worked with a total of 22 people or groups that expressed an interest, in some form, in buying the Thrashers. Some had promise. Others did not. One by one, each failed to move into more serious negotiations. No exclusive negotiating agreement was ever signed for the Thrashers.

Waddell thought he was close on at least one occasion. A wealthy family “from the Midwest†was one of the groups he worked with. The final interested party was a family from North Carolina but when they decided not to move forward, during the Atlanta Spirit’s negotiations with True North Sports and Entertainment, the end was at hand.

While we knew that there were tire kickers out there, the number 22 does surprise me. It would be interesting to one day know if having to ultimately deal with ASG was what kept the team from being sold to one of the 22.

 

[orangethrasher]

It just seems impossible that anyone would want to get into a situation where they would own a team that has to lease an arena from the ASG. Once you dig in even just a little, you would likely back away slowly and carefully.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

While we knew that there were tire kickers out there, the number 22 does surprise me. It would be interesting to one day know if having to ultimately deal with ASG was what kept the team from being sold to one of the 22.

IMO, this article confirms it.

Waddell thought he was close on at least one occasion. A wealthy family “from the Midwest” was one of the groups he worked with. He introduced that family to Braves pitching great Tom Glavine, who had expressed an interest in helping keep the Thrashers in Atlanta. Glavine, who confirmed the account, would be an investor and local face of the organization. However, a member of the family developed a serious illness and they withdrew their interest.

Hmmmmmmmmm.....

 

[Killion]

Interest from 22 people & the guy couldnt broker a deal. For ASG to claim that they had absolutely "no serious offers" is beyond despicable. What that says about ASG is that its a group which operates under the assumption that everyone is just too stupid to have seen through their facade in playing out the charade of trying to sell the team to someone who wouldve kept the team in Atlanta. Not that we needed anymore evidence or clarification on the matter of their complete & utter absence of even one ounce of integrity. Absolutely disgusting.

 

[Doc Scurlock]

Interest from 22 people & the guy couldnt broker a deal. For ASG to claim that they had absolutely "no serious offers" is beyond despicable. What that says about ASG is that its a group which operates under the assumption that everyone is just too stupid to have seen through their facade in playing out the charade of trying to sell the team to someone who wouldve kept the team in Atlanta. Not that we needed anymore evidence or clarification on the matter of their complete & utter absence of even one ounce of integrity. Absolutely disgusting.

Just because 22 people showed some interest doesn't mean they were serious. I was interested, make that 23.

 

[Killion]

Just because 22 people showed some interest doesn't mean they were serious. I was interested, make that 23.

Well c'mon here Doc. Who makes inquiries & engages Waddell over a possible $100M+ purchase of the Thrashers; a $500M+ purchase of the Thrashers, Hawks & acquisition of the Philips Arena Mgmnt Contract if they havent got the wherewithal?. Sure its possible a few of them mightve' been scammers or yard sale hunters making idiotic and or insulting offers, but all of them?.

 

[Killion]

A. Is it true there was an offer, $500 mil for all 3?
B. If yes, why wasn't it accepted?
C. Is it true if Atlanta didn't get sold to TN, they would have folded or
D. They would have been evicted?
and why?

A&B. Apparently there was, and that was just the opening offer. They mightve offered more had they ever been given the opportunity, but they werent. Its important to note however, that their are some question marks floating around the bona-fides' of the group that claimed to have made the offer as to their solvency & capitalization. They claim they werent taken seriously, and the team was hours away from being sold to TNSE.

C&D. ASG/Waddell claimed no decision had been made either way, that they didnt relish the thought of underwriting the Thrashers losses for another year. We dont really know what they might have done or threatened the NHL with behind closed doors, but based on their track record, Im sure it would have been neither pretty, magnanimous, cooperative or caring.

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

IMO, this article confirms it.



Hmmmmmmmmm.....

Care to elaborate?

 

[mouser]

Just started reading, can somebody summarize


A. Is it true there was an offer, $500 mil for all 3?
B. If yes, why wasn't it accepted?

C. Is it true if Atlanta didn't get sold to TN, they would have folded or
D. They would have been evicted?
and why?

Probably best to read the entire thread with links and form your own opinion. All sorts of disputed details.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Care to elaborate?

Well, after putting on my tinfoil hat, I just find that odd timing and circumstances. Could be legit, just somewhat odd.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Just because 22 people showed some interest doesn't mean they were serious. I was interested, make that 23.

ASG (and Bettman for that matter) has been pretending for quite a while that they could simply not find anyone interested in owning the franchise.

“In this case, the franchise wasn’t economically viable. We are not happy about it. The litmus test is: Does someone want to own the franchise? The Raine Group and current ownership were completely unsuccessful in their efforts to find a local buyer.â€

Classic Bettman lingo, leaving out the key phrase -- "find a local buyer willing to bend over and take it from ASG".

Waddell, who is no longer ASG's Minister of Misinformation, is making it clear that he did his job and found plenty of interested parties but none of them came close to shaking hands with ASG.

Granted there are always a few rotten apples in the bunch, but it's pretty clear that ASG was the problem here, not a lack of local interest in owning a team.

 

[AllByDesign]

Tarheel, it seems we had read two different articles. It shows that the Mis-information was supplied by the Atlanta sports collumnists. They had boasted of the knowledge of multiple "exclusivity agreements" that has been now been refuted by Wadell. He also stated that there wasn't anything more solid than passing interest. The closest hope for a deal coming from a mid-westerner with an ailing relative and a very last minute tire kick while negotiations were on the verge of closing with TNSE. As we have witnessed in Glendale, there are many hurdles from the stage of interest to deal consummation.

 

[Blasto]

Tarheel, it seems we had read two different articles. It shows that the Mis-information was supplied by the Atlanta sports collumnists. They had boasted of the knowledge of multiple "exclusivity agreements" that has been now been refuted by Wadell. He also stated that there wasn't anything more solid than passing interest. The closest hope for a deal coming from a mid-westerner with an ailing relative and a very last minute tire kick while negotiations were on the verge of closing with TNSE. As we have witnessed in Glendale, there are many hurdles from the stage of interest to deal consummation.

True, but the biggest thing I think most ATL fans want to know is WHAT EXACTLY was A$G asking for from a local buyer that couldn't be met by all these interested parties.

 

[AllByDesign]

True, but the biggest thing I think most ATL fans want to know is WHAT EXACTLY was A$G asking for from a local buyer that couldn't be met by all these interested parties.

You can count me on that list as well. The feel from Wadell's most recent quotes is that none of the potential suitors ever made it through the front door of the emerald city to even hear what nonsense could have been spewing from the mouth of the great and powerful Oz. They just laid sleeping in the daisies, while Chipman, Toto, and the Tinman just waltzed into the boardroom.

 

[Whileee]

The other shoe dropping?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/ian_thomsen/06/23/hawks.sale/index.html

 

[Killion]

You can count me on that list as well. The feel from Wadell's most recent quotes is that none of the potential suitors ever made it through the front door of the emerald city to even hear what nonsense could have been spewing from the mouth of the great and powerful Oz. They just laid sleeping in the daisies, while Chipman, Toto, and the Tinman just waltzed into the boardroom.

Somthin darn funny happened down there ABD. TNSE was given an audience, negotiated & closed off-market, whereas it would appear everyone else was told to come back "later" after the Great & Magnificent Oz had recuperated from his remonstrations. The facade of sincerity about as thick as a piece of Saran Wrap. If your going to pull stuff like that, at least get it right. Like the time I shot a commercial for a major car company in downtown Toronto without any permits whatsoever. The Cops & public falling into line without question because we looked like we were legit, we were, and who in their right mind would pull such a brazen stunt?. Yers truly. Traffic blocked up University, Queen & King for miles during the afternoon rush hour by illegally parked 48' location trucks?. Papers?. What papers?. I dont need no stinkin papers.

The other shoe dropping?

Ya, that'd be the other shoe we hear go kerplunk. I wonder if its a majority or minority buyer (hopefully the former so these idiots will just go away) and if it includes the Philips Mgmnt Contract?. Could it be that they were also negotiating this pre-Thrashers sale to TNSE & the prospective buyer requested the teams removal from the equation?.

 

[Ashe]

22 groups correct?
How many of them were going on and talking when Moore's had exclusive negotiating rights with the Hawks/Arena? "Yeah we'll buy the team, and get screwed trying to use phillips by ASG". For a better fact, how long was the Exclusive rights going on for? Til the ASG worked out a sale with the TNSE?

The fact is, there were options here, the NHL could of used, but never did. There was so many shady dealings in the past 2 months when it became public knowledge the team had to be sold, which is no where near enough time for ANYONE to make a transaction this size.

TNSE had discussions back in 2010 about it, And were talking with ASG and the NHL Phoenix problem at the same time. How is that not shady? "Exhaust all Local Options first" Turned into "Make sure we have a group that will take them, and then see if we can find a local owner"

 

[Killion]

22 groups correct?.... The fact is, there were options here, the NHL could of used, but never did. There was so many shady dealings in the past 2 months when it became public knowledge the team had to be sold, which is no where near enough time for ANYONE to make a transaction this size.

I believe it was "22 individuals from various groups". That could be anywhere from 5-10+ "groups" depending on size. If you were a salesperson on a car lot or anywhere else for that matter & you had 22 people from lets say 7 separate groups looking to purchase & you couldnt close even one of them or perhaps put a couple of them together if financing was a problem, you'd be fired. In hockey parlance, its similar to Vancouvers collapse in Boston, allowing 12 goals in 2 games, unable to seal the deal when they had the advantage, only doing so ala Chicago BlackSox style (bribed to throw the Series) instead of doing so through a so obvious lack of desire in "wanting it" badly enough. This you cant hide.

The fans in Atlanta along with everyone else who ever cared about hockey down there are demanding answers. Not to somehow reverse the sale, not out of spite, simply to bring some closure to whats been an obvious collapse of the ideals & covenants as promised & constantly repeated by the NHL in its mantra that :"we dont run out on the fans in any city". No, they apparently dont; they were chased out of town by ASG. Now why & how did they let that happen?. Who were these "groups" and how far did they get in dealing with Waddell?. What was the time-line?. Chipmans' post acquisition comments raise troubling questions as do Waddells statements, while Gary Bettmans pronouncement that "Atlanta wasnt economically viable" is nothing but a red herring, duck & cover implausible piece of flummery thats completely meaningless within the context of ASG & what went down.

One thing we can rest assured of, no matter what, the truth will eventually come out. Maybe not today, next week or even next year. But like every other skeleton rattling away in the closet, it'll get out, eventually.....