Milwaukeehockey.com

New car, caviar, 4 star daydream.. think Ill buy me a hockey team

May 31, 2007

A few people have asked me my opinions of a huge news story I haven't touched on yet. The sale of the Predators to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie.

Part of me is disinterested. I know I shouldn't be. Something like this can cause shock waves to our part of the hockey universe and affect the future of the Admirals. Still, I've only casually followed the story.

For those of you who haven't heard much about it... here's the story in a nutshell:
- Original Predators owner Craig Leipold, a Racine businessman who married into the wealthy S.C. Johnson family is selling the team to Balsillie for $220 million, pending league approval.
- Leipold cited overall losses of $70 million as his reason for selling. Take away what he originally paid for the franchise, and he is making about a $50 million profit from selling the team now.
- Balsillie tried to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this season, with thoughts of moving the team to Ontario... Kitchener and Hamilton were possible destinations.
- Balsillie recently told NHL commissioner Gary Bettman that he would not move the Predators, although published reports of him renewing talks with city officials in Hamilton surfaced this week.
- Due to a clause in their arena lease, the Predators can get out of their lease early and move if they manage two consecutive seasons with an average attendance less than 14,000. Because of the lockout season, there are arguments stemming over what 'consecutive' means. City officials claim the team cannot exercise that clause until after the 2008-09 season.

My thoughts on Leipold... I don't blame him for selling. I wouldn't want to lose that much money when the market is ripe to make a decent profit on his investment. Perhaps he could have sold the franchise for more money in a few years. Perhaps not.

My thoughts on Balsillie... he comes across as being a tool. As a longtime Penguins fan, I followed the story of him trying to buy the team from Mario Lemieux. He backed out of a deal to buy the Pens at the last minute, leaving Lemieux scrambling to form a plan B. Lemieux was so upset, he refused to refund Balsillie's multi-million dollar deposit on the sale.

My thoughts on whether the Preds should move or stay... Honestly, it doesn't matter to me personally. I know there are several Nashville fans who read my site who aren't happy about reading this, but it's how I feel. If they stay in Nashville... good for fans in Tennessee. If they move to Canada... good for fans in Ontario. Either way, they will have Balsillie as an owner... I'm more concerned aboot how and if he'll continue to work with the Admirals, regardless of where the Predators end up.

On to lighter news, congratulations are in order for a couple of guys.
- Future Admiral Cody Franson and his Vancouver Giants mildly upset the world of junior hockey by winning the Memorial Cup on their home ice. The annual CHL Memorial Cup championship tournament pits the three league champs (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) along with the team of the host city. The Giants weren't slouches though, as they were the runner-up in the WHL tournament held earlier this month.
- Former Admiral tough guy Ryan Tobler's Colorado Eagles won the CHL title for the second time in three seasons. He has been a fan favorite in Loveland, CO, for the past four seasons.

The AHL announced the divisional format and schedule matrix this week. The West Division will have eight teams - Milwaukee, Rockford, Quad City, Peoria, Iowa, Houston, San Antonio, and Chicago. 60 of Milwaukee's 80 games will be played in the division (10 games against Rockford and Chicago, 8 against each of the other five teams). The remaining 20 games will be against four of the six North Division teams and two Eastern Conference teams. The Admirals will not play Rochester or Lake Erie (the new Cleveland team), and will see Manchester and Providence. The schedule will be released, as usual, in late August or early September.

It's about what I expected with the matrix as far as the division goes, however I'm disappointed not to see Lake Erie included, as that's a road trip I've taken in the past to catch an Admirals road game near my father's western Pennsylvania home. I am encouraged by seeing two Eastern Conference teams find their way to our building. Ideally I would like to see a few more (4 or 5 a year on a rotating basis), but I'll try to be content for now.

And in transaction news... Mark Matheson has signed a deal with Nashville that will have him playing in Milwaukee next season. He ended the season on an amateur contract with Milwaukee. In college (UMass), he played both defense and forward, but will likely be used as a defenseman with the Admirals.

If you're out at the Milwaukee Mile for the IRL race this weekend, look for me in the infield or walking along souvenir alley behind the grandstands. I'll be wearing a blue IndyCar hat. I usually see a handful of familiar faces from Admirals games at the big races. Let's hope the weather cooperates.

posted by Todd # 8:43 PM

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