Franchise Notes

Wang Regrets Purchasing Islanders After Lighthouse Project Has Taken So Long

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Islanders Owner Charles Wang regrets buying the franchise "because he never thought it would take this long to get a new arena." Bettman said of Wang: "His stamina, both emotionally and financially, is to be admired. I don't blame him. There's no dispute the Islanders need a new arena and it is something that has to be addressed. It's frustrating to everybody involved in the process. They're not going to stay in the Nassau Coliseum a minute longer than they have to." But Bettman added Wang is "not looking to get out of town." Bettman: "He's looking to get a new arena and he's at some point going to have to explore his options" (N.Y. POST, 5/7).

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH: In Denver, Adrian Dater writes Avalanche VP/Hockey Operations Craig Billington would "seem to be a top candidate" to fill the team's vacant GM role, though the Avalanche "won't confirm whether he or anybody else is a candidate." Billington since joining the team in '03 has "worked directly with most of the Avs' young prospects, either on the team already or in the pipeline -- which could be a key to him having the inside track as GM" (DENVER POST, 5/7).

FLYING HIGH: Ravens VP/Ticket Sales Baker Koppelman said that the team is anticipating a 99.5% renewal rate for '09 season tickets at M&T Bank Stadium, "in spite of the poor economy and the Ravens hiking ticket prices" by $5-15. Koppelman noted that the franchise's renewal rate has been above 98% "in each of the past eight seasons." Also, Ravens VP/Corporate Sales & Development Mark Burdett said that he has just "two suites available" out of the 112 corporate suites at the stadium (BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/1 issue).

FOUR SCORE: In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman reports the economy has "hurt not only the Vikings' ticket sales, but also all of the advertising and other revenue sources." But signing QB Brett Favre would "bring back the interest in a hurry, helping both on the field and in generating revenue" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/7).