Chicago Financier Matt Hulsizer Likely To Make Offer For Coyotes

Investment Banker Hulsizer Identified As Coyotes Bidder

PEAK6 Investments CEO Matthew Hulsizer is “in the final stages of negotiating a new arena lease agreement with the City of Glendale after which Hulsizer is expected to make an offer to purchase the Coyotes from the NHL,” according to sources cited by Scott Burnside of ESPN.com. The “emergence of the Chicago-based financier and former collegiate hockey player comes at a time when negotiations between” Ice Edge Holdings and Glendale city officials “have stalled.” Sources contend that Hulsizer may represent the "last, best chance to keep” the Coyotes in Arizona. It is “unknown what role the Ice Edge Group will play as negotiations between Hulsizer and the City of Glendale proceed." But there is a “likelihood some members of the Ice Edge group will stay on as minority investors and/or in some sort of operations role if Hulsizer is successful in purchasing the team.” Ice Edge also could “move on to invest in another NHL franchise.” Ice Edge CEO Keith McCullough in a statement earlier this week said, “An announcement could happen soon (in Arizona). If this occurs, we expect to continue to be involved with the Coyotes as an adviser for the foreseeable future” (ESPN.com, 9/1). In Winnipeg, Gary Lawless writes Hulsizer is "reported to have deep pockets and the ability to purchase the Coyotes for the expected $170-million the NHL will demand.” Glendale officials “would not confirm Hulsizer’s interest” (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 9/2).