Hurricanes President Don Waddell on Friday said that Owner Peter Karmanos is "not actively looking to sell the team," according to Chip Alexander of the Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER. Waddell held a press conference before the team's game against the Canadiens to "again dispute a rumor the franchise could be sold and relocated -- speculation that heated up again Friday with a media report in Canada that Karmanos might be close to selling." Waddell noted NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has said more than once in the past year that the team "will not be relocated and the league is committed to having a franchise in one of the fastest growing markets in the country." Waddell said that Allen and Co., the "investment banker used by Karmanos, had been 'completely shut down' as far as pursuing a buyer." Waddell said Karmanos, whose asking price for the team is believed to be $400M or more, has not turned down an offer, although there have been some people who have “looked at it pretty hard.” The speculation in Canada was that Montreal-based Quebecor "was interested in buying the team from Karmanos." The Hurricanes are "last in the NHL in home attendance" at 11,256 through eight home games after finishing 30th last season at 12,203. But Waddell said that total revenue "hasn’t been negatively affected, due to the decision to significantly reduce the number of complimentary tickets" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 11/19). NBCSPORTS.com's Jason Brough cited the original report on Montreal's CJRG-FM that Karmanos "wants to get his money out of the team, even if it means the ‘Canes are sold and relocated." The report comes on the "heels of an apparent settlement in the lawsuit involving Karmanos and his three sons -- a settlement that could make a sale more likely" (NBCSPORTS.com, 11/18).
POINT OF SALE: The NATIONAL POST's Scott Stinson noted the Hurricanes on Friday beat the Canadiens -- who lead the league in points -- in front of an "announced crowd of 12,101 fans at PNC Arena." The Hurricanes "aren’t exactly a threat to relocate, as they have a lease at PNC Arena that runs for another seven years." But it is "no surprise" that Karmanos "does not have a line of local buyers interested in taking the team off his hands." He "doesn’t even have the beginnings of a line." Stinson: "It’s not unreasonable to imagine that a few more months of 8,000-plus crowds in Raleigh would increase the chances that Karmanos will sell to someone who is interested in buying out the arena lease and decamping" (NATIONAL POST, 11/20).
