Bettman Urges Thrashers To Straighten Out Ownership Situation
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Thrashers Rank 28th In NHL
In Average Attendance This Season |
The Thrashers' struggles are "not going over well" with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who "views hockey's success in Atlanta as an important part of the big picture in the NHL," according to Jeff Schultz of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. The Thrashers are "failing on several fronts." They rank 28th in the league in attendance as of Sunday, "averaging 4,000 fans fewer per game in season 10 (13,204, according to inflated announced figures) than in year one (17,205)." They also have "failed to cultivate new fans," and have "burned bridges with old ones." Thrashers GM Don Waddell acknowledged that the team "will fail to meet financial mandates from the league, which means it will be docked a portion of its take from the NHL's revenue sharing program." Also, the Thrashers "just traded the face of the franchise," LW Ilya Kovalchuk, to the Devils, leaving the team "lacking a marketable star." Schultz noted rumors of the team "being sold and moved are constant." Owner Atlanta Spirit "has acknowledged only that it has sought to bring in new investors, especially following the expected exit of partner Steve Belkin." The "uncertainty has made for an unstable atmosphere." Bettman "would not discuss whether owners have shopped the Thrashers," but he said, "Ultimately, the ownership situation has to be straightened out. It's difficult to operate a franchise when owners aren't getting along. It's even more difficult in a recession climate." Bettman added, "When the ownership situation is resolved, we believe the franchise will be able to move forward. We're committed to the market. Our track record indicates we do everything we can do to avoid relocation" (AJC.com, 2/7).
DEVILS WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA: In N.Y., Klein & Hackel wrote the "introduction of Kovalchuk to the New York news media market could alter the public perception of the Devils," who are "respected, but too often an afterthought, considered a very good team, a well-run organization, but bland." In Kovalchuk, the Devils have a "27-year-old superstar entering his prime athletic years," the "kind of player people will pay to see and talk about" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/7).
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