Menu
Download the app

SBJ subscribers – Enhance your experience with the revamped iOS app

Franchises

Avalanche Fire Coach Joe Sacco; Columnist Questions Kroenke's Commitment

The Avalanche yesterday fired coach Joe Sacco and confirmed that Dir of Hockey Operations Eric Lacroix -- the "son of team president Pierre Lacroix -- also has left the organization," according to Terry Frei of the DENVER POST. It is an "interesting, even intriguing development, but doesn't dramatically change the realities." Even if the Avalanche "follow up the firing of Sacco with the hiring of a high-profile and/or promising coach, any self-congratulation would be delusional if major changes don't come elsewhere, whether in terms of philosophy or personnel ... or both" (DENVER POST, 4/29). In Denver, Adrian Dater wrote some in the hockey industry "believe changes with the Avs are long overdue." Denver-based NHL player agent Kurt Overhardt said, "Unfortunately, the commitment to excellence that the Avalanche came to town with when the franchise moved here and won two Stanley Cups has waned significantly since 2004." Overhardt places the "blame for the franchise's decline on team ownership, led by Stan Kroenke." Kroenke and his son, team Governor Josh, have "always maintained that the Avs mean as much to them as any of their team properties." Overhardt said, "There are some great management people currently involved with the organization, but it all starts with ownership. In my opinion, there is not a commitment to excellence by the current owner." He added, "The commitment to the current owner seems only to be the Nuggets. The Avs seem to be another date on the calendar, to get parking, concessions and to put a couple people in the seat" (DENVER POST, 4/28).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2013/04/29/Franchises/Avalanche.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2013/04/29/Franchises/Avalanche.aspx

CLOSE