With the "passion of a Southern preacher," new
Lightning Owner Arthur Williams meet the press on Tuesday in
his first appearance since he purchased the team and
"promised a resurrection of the debt-ridden hockey franchise
while charming local media with a homespun philosophy on
life and work," according to Ira Kaufman of the TAMPA
TRIBUNE. In a "fire-and-brimstone speech that took on
revival overtones," the 56-year-old retired insurance exec
called the franchise "a disaster" and full of "people making
excuses for being sorry." Williams: "Excuses don't count in
the big leagues. We're going to have everything we need to
get the job done" (Ira Kaufman, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/27).
ROLLING UP THE SLEEVES: In St. Petersburg, Gary Shelton
wrote that Williams' speech was "all passion and
enthusiasm," and added that it has "been a very long time
since the Lightning had an ounce of either" (ST. PETERSBURG
TIMES, 5/27). In Tampa, David Whitley wrote that Williams
debut was "groundbreaking" for the Lightning, "if for no
other reason than he was actually there. You could touch
him, talk to him, smell him, and hear him" (TAMPA TRIBUNE,
5/27). In Tampa, Roy Cummings wrote that Williams "appeared
to be talking about everybody" when he announced a deadline
of one year to turn the team around. Williams: "If they
don't get the job done, they're gone" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/27).
HANDS ON OR OFF? Williams said that he "will be a
visible owner but won't make hockey decisions," leaving that
to GM Phil Esposito. Williams: "I don't want to be like
Jerry Jones" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 5/27).
NEW MANAGEMENT: Williams named Billy McGehee as the
team's new President, CEO and Ice Palace Manager. McGehee,
a former VP of the AFL Tampa Bay Storm, is GM of the AFL's
Nashville Kats, where he "intends to complete his tenure."
McGehee will "oversee the business end of the team and run
its marketing program" (Roy Cummings, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/28).
