The “game-plan to return NHL hockey to Winnipeg is banking on a financial assist from the Manitoba government,” according to Bruce Owen of the WINNIPEG FREE PRESS. While negotiations are “underway between True North Sports and Entertainment Ltd. and the ownership group of the Atlanta Thrashers, a critical part of Winnipeg’s pitch involves help” from the Manitoba government. True North, which owns MTS Centre, is “looking to the province to help it manage the debt load it carries on the downtown arena in order to free up money to help pay for the relocation of the NHL team to Winnipeg.” A source said that the “request from True North is being studied by the province and in all likelihood will be accepted” (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 5/18). The GLOBE & MAIL's Nathan Vanderklippe noted Flames co-Owner Murray Edwards yesterday “gave his support to” Winnipeg. Edwards: “If, at the end of the day, there is ultimately no local ownership (in Atlanta), then the league would have to look to move franchises. And I think today there is probably no market in North America that is more open and more supportive of an NHL franchise than would be Winnipeg” (GLOBEANDMAIL.com, 5/17).
OTHER SUITORS EMERGE: USA Today’s Kevin Allen reported on Twitter a “group interested in keeping the Thrashers in ATL has submitted a term sheet to Thrashers owners spelling out an offer.” He added the group is “serious, but not as far along in the financial process as the True North group” (TWITTER.com, 5/17). Michigan-based venture capitalist J.B. Smith yesterday said that he “has been in contact with the Thrashers about buying the team, along with the NBA’s Hawks and the operating rights to Philips Arena.” But an NHL source said that "the belief is Smith doesn’t have the necessary financial backing to make such a purchase” (Craig Custance, SPORTING NEWS TODAY, 5/18).
NAME GAME: SPORTSLOGOS.net's Chris Creamer cited a True North source as saying that “if an NHL team is to take the ice in Winnipeg in 2011-12 they will do so, not as the Winnipeg Jets, but as the Manitoba Moose.” True North owns the AHL franchise with the same name, and the source said, “True North has spent considerable time and money promoting the Moose brand, switching away from that would be like essentially flushing money down the toilet” (SPORTSLOGOS.net, 5/14). In Winnipeg, Gary Lawless notes the NHL “owns the Jets name and logo.” When asked if True North would have access to those trademarks, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly in an e-mail said, “Haven’t been asked and haven’t considered” (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 5/18).
