The Sabres are "in near total disarray", according to Jim
Kelley of the BUFFALO NEWS, and "several" sources tell him the
in-house struggle for control of the organization "is now at
fever pitch." On one side of the feud is team President Doug
Moss, GM John Muckler and their supporters. On the other side
are Marine Midland Arena (MMA) President Larry Quinn and his
employees. The relations between the two sides "are not good and
appear to be getting worse." Kelley notes this comes at a time
when ownership is in flux and Adelphia Communications Corp. owner
John Rigas "appears to be positioning himself to take control."
Kelley gives Moss credit in delivering a perception of change and
a new-look franchise, but he appears to be "in some disfavor" in
the Rigas camp. Quinn "seems to have impressed all parties with
his work in getting the Marine Midland Arena up and operating,"
and sources say Quinn will someday either replace Moss as
President of the Sabres or "move on." Sources say lawyers for the
Rigas group and Sabres Chair Seymour H. Knox, III and Vice Chair
Robert Swados have accepted a financial analysis of the
franchise's value from the NY-accounting firm Coopers & Lybrand
with estimates of the value ranging from $77M-85M (BUFFALO NEWS,
10/17).
