Hartford Whalers: From Heartbeat to Heartbreak

[Bondurant]

NBC Connecticut posted a Whalers doc to their YouTube page. I believe it was made in 2023.

Click to read more...

 

[Fenway]

Karmanos has admitted that if he had waited two years, the Whalers would have exploded in value with their part ownership of what is now NBC Sports Boston as RSNs shifted to basic cable but his dislike of the then Connecticut governor fueled the departure.

The Whalers were seen in the Boston market, along with the rest of New England except southwestern CT, which TV considers New York City.

When they left in 1997 nobody had a clue where they would wind up.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Karmanos has admitted that if he had waited two years, the Whalers would have exploded in value with their part ownership of what is now NBC Sports Boston as RSNs shifted to basic cable but his dislike of the then Connecticut governor fueled the departure.

The Whalers were seen in the Boston market, along with the rest of New England except southwestern CT, which TV considers New York City.

When they left in 1997 nobody had a clue where they would wind up.

That governor subsequently had to resign office and then did time.

When released he hosted an afternoon talk show on Connecticut's most powerful radio station.

 

[sabremike]

Karmanos has admitted that if he had waited two years, the Whalers would have exploded in value with their part ownership of what is now NBC Sports Boston as RSNs shifted to basic cable but his dislike of the then Connecticut governor fueled the departure.

The Whalers were seen in the Boston market, along with the rest of New England except southwestern CT, which TV considers New York City.

When they left in 1997 nobody had a clue where they would wind up.

I honestly hate Governor Convicted Felon as much as I hate Peter The Pig, he is every bit the villain in the Whalers demise. He actually was thrilled and wanted the Whalers to go because he thought he had a deal with Kraft for the Patriots when anyone with an above room temperature IQ knew he was being used by the cheese pimp to get what he wanted from Foxborough.

 

[Nerowoy nora tolad]

Karmanos has admitted that if he had waited two years, the Whalers would have exploded in value with their part ownership of what is now NBC Sports Boston as RSNs shifted to basic cable but his dislike of the then Connecticut governor fueled the departure.

The Whalers were seen in the Boston market, along with the rest of New England except southwestern CT, which TV considers New York City.

When they left in 1997 nobody had a clue where they would wind up.

Could this someday be a feature for a future whalers franchise, negotiating with NESN and MSG for the rights to show Hartford games?

Ive always found the "sandwhiched between NY and Boston markets, so it cant work" argument to be asinine in this day and age when a ducks fan can live in PEI or a Jets fan can live in Finland and reasonably expect to follow the team and watch some games/contribute some revenue. If anything the proximity to NYC is a huge feature, not a bug.

 

[Fenway]

I honestly hate Governor Convicted Felon as much as I hate Peter The Pig, he is every bit the villain in the Whalers demise. He actually was thrilled and wanted the Whalers to go because he thought he had a deal with Kraft for the Patriots when anyone with an above room temperature IQ knew he was being used by the cheese pimp to get what he wanted from Foxborough.

Karmanos wanted to move the Whalers to Auburn Hills, Michigan and Bettman said NO.

Connecticut Gov. John Rowland did broker a new arena for the Whalers but demanded Karmanos eat the losses for 2 years at the Civic Center while the new arena was built.

Nobody knew that UConn college basketball was about to explode in both men's and women's and Karmanos would have controlled the new arena.