ATL teams for sale?

breaker91 · Post #1 » by **breaker91** » Sun May 10, 2009 4:32 am

Hey I'm watching the Canucks-Blackhawks game and they were talking about a group of investors who are making a pitch to buy the Thrashers and move them. The announcers were saying that the ATL ownership group is looking to dump arena and the Hawks. I know that group has had its troubles the past several years, but is there any talk about this being closer to reality than in the recent past?

Post #2 » by **HMFFL** » Sun May 10, 2009 5:51 am

This is a first. Anything else to add that they mentioned?

theatlfan · Post #3 » by **theatlfan** » Sun May 10, 2009 5:59 am

No inside information or local news, but I'm sure the Thrashers could be had. Even when we've been good enough to have a run, they've never drawn enough fans to be profitable. Putting Ilya and the rest of the young talent should draw more fans than what they're getting here.

The Hawks? Dunno. While the Spirit have lost a lot of $$$ on the Hawks, there's a couple of investors still there with connections to the Hawks from past regimes. Looking @ the investors, it always seemed that they bought the Hawks and had to take on the Thrashers. Selling the Hawks right as we're getting to the Conference Semis isn't something I could see those guys doing. OTOH, some of the rent for Phillips Arena is from the Thrashers, so if they sell off one, then they might see it as more cost effective to sell the Hawks than keep the lease. Also, with the economic downturn, it wouldn't surprise me if some of those guys would rather cash out on the disaster that the Hawks have been for the last 5-6 years.

lunarblues · Post #4 » by **lunarblues** » Sun May 10, 2009 7:44 am

this wouldn't surprise anybody that knows the business side of the game. the hawks (along with most teams) have been losing money for years. belkin was a third of the teams money base as well. the thrashers need to be moved up north. but it would take a good offer for gearon to sell the hawks.

Post #5 » by **dms269** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:10 pm

Sell the Thrashers, I don't care. If I am going to see hockey I am heading to the Gwinnett Arena to watch the gladiators. 5 minutes compared to 30 and traffic, hmmmm?

LL Cool Scott · Post #6 » by **LL Cool Scott** » Mon May 11, 2009 2:30 am

This would be the best thing to happen to Atlanta sports since Blank bought the Falcons. This organization is rotten from the top down, and an owner like Cuban or Blank could completely turn around this historically pathetic franchise. Please let this be true...

theatlfan · Post #7 » by **theatlfan** » Mon May 11, 2009 2:54 am

LL Cool Scott wrote::o This would be the best thing to happen to Atlanta sports since Blank bought the Falcons. This organization is rotten from the top down, and an owner like Cuban or Blank could completely turn around this historically pathetic franchise. Please let this be true...

If the Thrashers were sold and moved, then I'm not sure new owners of the Hawks would look to keep them in ATL...