The NHL concluded two days of meetings to hear
presentations from expansion candidates and "gave no clues
which of the nine cities it favored," according to Mike Dodd
of USA TODAY. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said if the
league does decide to expand by two or four teams, all
issues will be resolved at the same time. Bettman: "When we
do it, it will be done as one package so there are no open
issues." Bettman gave no specific time frame for a
decision, only adding, "in the ebb and flow of things, this
will get done in the next few months" (USA TODAY, 1/15).
ATLANTA: Time Warner Chair Gerald Levin and Vice Chair
Ted Turner led the Atlanta bid. Before the presentation,
Turner said that he "never should have let" the Flames leave
Atlanta 17 years ago (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/15). Atlanta
"is all but assured" to be awarded a franchise when a new
arena is ready for the 1999-2000 season (Neil Hohlfeld,
HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/15). Noting the ownership "clout" of
Turner and Time Warner, the CANADIAN PRESS notes Atlanta is
"considered the best bet to join the league ... it'll be
impossible to keep them out" (CANADIAN PRESS/VANCOUVER SUN,
1/15). In Toronto, Al Strachan: "They would be given an
immediate franchise if they had a place to play" (TORONTO
SUN, 1/15). In Toronto, Damien Cox: "The Atlanta bid
trotted out an all-star cast yesterday that had to leave NHL
power-brokers gasping in awe" (TORONTO STAR, 1/15). USA
TODAY's Mike Dodd: "If you listen to all the bidders discuss
their competition, it's clear they think one candidate has
all the necessary options: Atlanta" (USA TODAY, 1/15).
IN THE MIX: In Toronto, Damien Cox notes Nashville and
Oklahoma City, OK, "appeared to make solid impressions by
presenting dynamic arena scenarios that should make it
nearly impossible for NHL clubs to fail. Oklahoma City, in
particular, made a quietly confident presentation" (TORONTO
STAR, 1/15). Nashville's potential Majority Owner Craig
Leipold: "We have a low-risk situation. I feel incredibly
good about the way things went" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/15).
In Toronto, Al Strachan notes while Nashville is "ready to
roll right now," the city will "have to wait a year and come
in with Houston (TORONTO SUN, 1/15).
OTHERS: Hornets Owner George Shinn, bidding for Hampton
Roads, VA, was asked what the market "in Virginia would do
to improve the league's profile," according to Rick Bonnell
of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Charlotte bidder Felix Sabates
was "quizzed" about the "uncertain status" of an arena for
Raleigh, NC (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/15). In Toronto, Al
Strachan notes Shinn "is the only applicant indulging in
big-time lobbying even though Bettman has warned against it"
(TORONTO SUN, 1/15). Shinn: "Am I going to politic? If
that means kissing up, then I plan to do as much as anybody
else" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/15).
