Phoenix LXXV: It's Like Deja Vu All Over Again

[Killion]

1....like to have a minority stake in a NHL club.

2....does not mean... groups doing background work.

3. ...has stated he would love to work with Hansen in the future.

Well,

1) Thats easily dealt with as..

2) Theres plenty of wealth in Seattle so sure, could be several potential buyers.

3) And ya, Levin could still be in play.... however, all that being said, no way no how would I for a nano-second (and I live in the PNW) consider parachuting the Yotes into Seattle this spring/summer. An absolute logistical nightmare, and thats even if Mystery Buyer A/B or C has worked everything out with Hansen regards Lease, Equity, Revenue & on & on & on. Completely implausible that they possibly could have.

As it sits, Stern & the NBA could be in for one Mother of a PR disaster if they do in fact approve the Kings sale to Seattle when not only has a local ownership group stepped up to the plate (including the majority owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins) but so too has the city itself in digging deep to fund a new arena. And here you have Hansen driving up the price even further in what has quickly evolved into essentially a hostile relocation attempt? The Maloofs gleefully egging matters on by now claiming they dont believe the local Sacramento group has the wherewithal? And all of this bodes well for a relocation of the Coyotes to the absolutely God Awful Key Arena in like what, May, June? This is crazy talk is what this is.... Dunno. Maybe Ron Burkle of the Penguins is a subversive plant acting on behalf of the NBA & NHL. Set to sabotage Sacramento's efforts by appearing the kindly Uncle set to rescue the Kings. All an act.

 

[Ugmo]

The Maloofs sound like awful people.

 

[superdeluxe]

The Maloofs sound like awful people.

They suck, There is a reason why the NBA wants them out.

 

[superdeluxe]

Well,


As it sits, Stern & the NBA could be in for one Mother of a PR disaster if they do in fact approve the Kings sale to Seattle when not only has a local ownership group stepped up to the plate (including the majority owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins) but so too has the city itself in digging deep to fund a new arena. And here you have Hansen driving up the price even further in what has quickly evolved into essentially a hostile relocation attempt? The Maloofs gleefully egging matters on by now claiming they dont believe the local Sacramento group has the wherewithal?

It is not going to be the mother of PR disasters, the fact is most of the nation doesn't seem to care one way or another.

Ron Burkle is out of the ownership group btw.

They have not yet submitted a binding back up offer to the Maloofs.

Digging Deep to fund new arena? They only have a term sheet, there is no binding arena plan or financing.

 

[CasualFan]

but so too has the city itself in digging deep to fund a new arena.

Well, Mayor Johnson is digging himself deep. The probability of the KJ Arena Plan actually surviving is roughly 0%

 

[superdeluxe]

Well, Mayor Johnson is digging himself deep. The probability of the KJ Arena Plan actually surviving is roughly 0%

You are not sold on the parking garage financing plan? And any revenue shortfalls to be picked up by the hotel tax (Which feeds directly into the general fund).

 

[CasualFan]

You are not sold on the parking garage financing plan? And any revenue shortfalls to be picked up by the hotel tax (Which feeds directly into the general fund).

We're way OT but before unwinding the parking finance shortages (*and unapproved county participation), we'd need to address the immediate obstacle of land acquisition.

 

[madhi19]

So I'm confused.

It seems like clockwork that every spring Phoenix news heats up. In 2010, with a threatened move to Winnipeg, the City of Glendale was forced to pony up $25 million. In 2011 with Hulsizer in the wings the city again ponied up $25 mil. In 2012 the same thing with Jameson - this time a tentative deal was signed.

But here we are in 2013 and there's no prospective owner waiting in the wings. That makes me think a relocation is imminent. It feels like the Atlanta situation - everyone knew there was a problem, but nothing was being said in public.

HOWEVER...

In 2011 Winnipeg was all over the media. Lots of news stories about their potential return. Hell TSN was running a "Jets Meter" on their website.

There doesn't seem to be any such buzz for Quebec City, or Seattle, right now.

Am I missing something?

The big difference is that TSN was not going to buy the Thrasher so they could freely rave and wax over the situation. I been hearing and reading rumble in Quebec french media but not much. Quebecor is keeping a serious lid on the whole deal and they happen to control a good portion of media in Quebec and Montreal.
A lot of things is happening right now the Leafs are making the playoff for the first time in HD, the Habs are having a really bad two weeks, the sens are fighting for a playoff spot, Winnipeg are almost out but not quite. Then there was the Luongo mess plenty of stories to cover not enough peoples to do it all.

 

[Wheathead]

So I'm confused.

It seems like clockwork that every spring Phoenix news heats up. In 2010, with a threatened move to Winnipeg, the City of Glendale was forced to pony up $25 million. In 2011 with Hulsizer in the wings the city again ponied up $25 mil. In 2012 the same thing with Jameson - this time a tentative deal was signed.

But here we are in 2013 and there's no prospective owner waiting in the wings. That makes me think a relocation is imminent. It feels like the Atlanta situation - everyone knew there was a problem, but nothing was being said in public.

HOWEVER...

In 2011 Winnipeg was all over the media. Lots of news stories about their potential return. Hell TSN was running a "Jets Meter" on their website.

There doesn't seem to be any such buzz for Quebec City, or Seattle, right now.

Am I missing something?

This Phoenix situation has been pretty unpredictable so far. Next thing you know, Jesus himself could try and keep the team in Arizona.

It'll be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Killion]

It is not going to be the mother of PR disasters.. Ron Burkle is out of the ownership group btw.

Jesus. How quickly things change. Yesterday inf no longer relevant, applicable. Mind blowing.

Well, Mayor Johnson is digging himself deep. The probability of the KJ Arena Plan actually surviving is roughly 0%

So then basically, Dead in the Water? Sure as Hell looks like it if Burkles
out & their getting blowback on their parking/hotel luxury tax schemes.

Changes the dynamic considerably.

 

[RandR]

So I'm confused.

It seems like clockwork that every spring Phoenix news heats up. In 2010, with a threatened move to Winnipeg, the City of Glendale was forced to pony up $25 million. In 2011 with Hulsizer in the wings the city again ponied up $25 mil. In 2012 the same thing with Jameson - this time a tentative deal was signed.

But here we are in 2013 and there's no prospective owner waiting in the wings. That makes me think a relocation is imminent. It feels like the Atlanta situation - everyone knew there was a problem, but nothing was being said in public.

HOWEVER...

In 2011 Winnipeg was all over the media. Lots of news stories about their potential return. Hell TSN was running a "Jets Meter" on their website.

There doesn't seem to be any such buzz for Quebec City, or Seattle, right now.

Am I missing something?

I think the big difference is that last time around Bettman got pissed off that the move to Winnipeg was reported in the media (Stephen Brunt story, front page of the Globe & Mail, the closest thing Canada has to a national newsaperl), and since that time Bettman appears to be determined to keep a lid on such events being leaked to the media before or outside of NHL consent.

You might remember reports a year or so ago that Bettman was pissed off by a Quebec arena announcement even though none of the officials at that press conference said a single word or answered any questions about it in relation to a possible NHL franchise.

It is possible that relocation-oriented groundwork has or is taking place in Quebec City or Seattle, but the NHL is doing a great job of keeping such actions private. I doubt I am the only one who thinks that Bettman has told interested parties in QC or Seattle that they had better keep their lips tight if they want a team to relocate there.

 

[King_Stannis]

So I'm confused.

It seems like clockwork that every spring Phoenix news heats up. In 2010, with a threatened move to Winnipeg, the City of Glendale was forced to pony up $25 million. In 2011 with Hulsizer in the wings the city again ponied up $25 mil. In 2012 the same thing with Jameson - this time a tentative deal was signed.

But here we are in 2013 and there's no prospective owner waiting in the wings. That makes me think a relocation is imminent. It feels like the Atlanta situation - everyone knew there was a problem, but nothing was being said in public.

HOWEVER...

In 2011 Winnipeg was all over the media. Lots of news stories about their potential return. Hell TSN was running a "Jets Meter" on their website.

There doesn't seem to be any such buzz for Quebec City, or Seattle, right now.

Am I missing something?

The roots of an NHL return to Winnipeg were planted far earlier and their arena was ready much earlier, too. Darren Ford's site popped up in 2004 I think and after the initial smirking was over and the NHL said that an arena of 15,000 could indeed work, people started paying attention a little more. Even the rumors of a deep pocketed owner went back a little ways. That's the main difference as I see it.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

The Maloofs sound like awful people.

I'm usually not one to pass judgement on people just for business decisions, but... yeah... they do seem kind of scummy, especially after Sacramento gave them almost everything they wanted.

 

[Nordskull]

Patrick Caisse‏@PatrickCaisse27 s#JobingComArena : "We don't have any intention of responding to RFP (Request for proposal)" - Bill Daly #NHL #Glendale #Coyotes

@PatrickCaisse 41 s "We are still working with a number of potentially interested purchasers" - Bill Daly #Coyotes #Glendale #NHL

 

[South Florida Canuck]

@PatrickCaisse 41 s "We are still working with a number of potentially interested purchasers" - Bill Daly #Coyotes #Glendale #NHL

Yeah, in either Quebec or Seattle!

 

[Nordskull]

Yeah, in either Quebec or Seattle!

Throughout the years, we all learned how to decode Bettman and Daly's statements...

Like Bettman: "We don't want to move Phoenix".

How many moving trucks you need to move an entire city?

 

[JimAnchower]

@PatrickCaisse 41 s "We are still working with a number of potentially interested purchasers" - Bill Daly #Coyotes #Glendale #NHL

I didn't realize they got my paperwork already. But yeah, if they lower the price enough and Glendale is willing to give me enough money, I am potentially interested purchaser. Of course, we probably all are.

 

[Mungman]

Yeah, in either Quebec or Seattle!

That's not what he said, but also not excluded in what he said.


BD has learned his trade well from the puppetmaster!

 

[Nordskull]

Patrick Caisse just tweeted they were talking about investors for Glendale...



.. which explains the "potential". (this last part from me)

 

[MaskedSonja]

Patrick Caisse just tweeted they were talking about investors for Glendale...



.. which explains the "potential". (this last part from me)

Well you could play with the wording:

"potentially interested purchasers"-are they already purchasers who are interested in potentially buying the franchise? Or are they people who could "potentially" be interested (as in they currently arent and they'd have to be convinced) to look at what it would take to purchase to team?

 

[cbcwpg]

Patrick Caisse‏@PatrickCaisse27 s#JobingComArena : "We don't have any intention of responding to RFP (Request for proposal)" - Bill Daly #NHL #Glendale #Coyotes

@PatrickCaisse 41 s "We are still working with a number of potentially interested purchasers" - Bill Daly #Coyotes #Glendale #NHL

When it comes to the Coyotes there is a huge gap between an interested purchaser and a legitimate purchaser. Seen lots of interested purchasers, but no legit ones yet. Clock is ticking....

 

[MaskedSonja]

I keep wondering if one day we see Bettman channel his inner William Shatner on SNL on the media about the Yotes:

"Why don't you people just get a life??"

 

[Killion]

I keep wondering if one day we see Bettman channel his inner William Shatner...

Now ya gone n' done it TL.... giggle attack.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hARDXYz2io

 

[NHLfan4life]

That's not what he said, but also not excluded in what he said.


BD has learned his trade well from the puppetmaster!

Because it could be a positive thing for the Coyotes, that is how you are reading it.

It is all speculation, including the cities that want a team and are ready for a team. The Coyotes are still in AZ. We can read between the lines all we want, but the fact is they remain in Arizona. All of this other talk of 'moving' is not matching up to what the league says. And Bettman being pissed off is also speculation.

He is a businessman. We are all fans. We are not going to share the same opinion as the BoG and Bettman.

We can all say 'there is obiously a Plan B, C, etc." but it appears that there is not.

Moving to Seattle, QC or Houston, even the extremely remote chance of Hamilton is all speculation based on small bits of 'evidence' and then twisted into 'fact' and somehow becomes fact by consensus.

Quebec is not ready. Seattle is not ready. Those are facts. The desire is probably there for the fans. But, it is a huge risk to move a team into a small market or unproven market and hope it is sustainable. Soon the forbidden fruit effect will wear off and then where will the league be? IN the same boat.

They may be able to improve the situation temporarily but maybe what they know makes sense to them since they have all of the facts.

 

[yotesreign]

Because it could be a positive thing for the Coyotes, that is how you are reading it.

It is all speculation, including the cities that want a team and are ready for a team. The Coyotes are still in AZ. We can read between the lines all we want, but the fact is they remain in Arizona. All of this other talk of 'moving' is not matching up to what the league says. And Bettman being pissed off is also speculation.

He is a businessman. We are all fans. We are not going to share the same opinion as the BoG and Bettman.

We can all say 'there is obiously a Plan B, C, etc." but it appears that there is not.

Moving to Seattle, QC or Houston, even the extremely remote chance of Hamilton is all speculation based on small bits of 'evidence' and then twisted into 'fact' and somehow becomes fact by consensus.

Quebec is not ready. Seattle is not ready. Those are facts. The desire is probably there for the fans. But, it is a huge risk to move a team into a small market or unproven market and hope it is sustainable. Soon the forbidden fruit effect will wear off and then where will the league be? IN the same boat.

They may be able to improve the situation temporarily but maybe what they know makes sense to them since they have all of the facts.

Seems like I heard a rumor the other night that there are some parties interested in moving the Coyotes to Mars in 2024...? Anyone else hear that?