The efforts of John McConnell, the majority owner of
Columbus' NHL expansion franchise, to bring an NHL team to
the city were examined by John Futty of the COLUMBUS
DISPATCH. While McConnell "thought the best strategy for
landing" an NHL team was to pursue both an expansion and
existing franchise, Lamar Hunt, who also was in Columbus'
prospective NHL ownership group, "was interested only in
expansion," urged the NHL to keep the Whalers Owner Peter
Karmanos "out" of the market, arguing that Karmanos' visits
to Columbus were hurting chances to pass a sales tax
initiative, which did fail. Then Nationwide offered "to
spearhead construction of a privately built arena. But when
Hunt, who had been expected to head the ownership group,
rejected a lease offer from Nationwide, McConnell agreed to
take the lead." Hunt did not return calls from the DISPATCH
for comment. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said McConnell
and Hunt were "both substantial, respected people, but Mr.
McConnell had all the arrangements in place and he had a
building." McConnell also reportedly "had strong support on
the expansion committee," including Karmanos and Bruins
Owner Jeremy Jacobs (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 7/26).
