Tuesday, August 3, 2010

No owner yet in Phoenix


The NHL is well into the second year in it's search for an owner for the Phoenix Coyotes and it doesn't look like this is close to being over.

While Ice Edge Holdings is still talking with the City of Glendale about the long-term lease of Jobing.com Arena, however no one in Glendale is bubbling over with enthusiasm. There are suggestions that Iee Edge has not met timelines for firming up financing. An accusation that they are denying.

John Shannon at Sportsnet is suggesting that three other groups are in play. He is starting to sound like Gary Bettman. I can't believe that's true. The only interest in this franchise would be from a owner with a fleet of moving trucks. It should also be noted that the City has agreed to pay the team's losses for the upcoming season, with a cap of $25 million, until a new owner is found. So the team will be in Phoenix for at least one more season. But how long will Glendale keep forking up big bucks like that?

Sportsnet is also reporting that only 1,800 season tickets have been sold for the 2010-11 season. A disappointing number considering the team's on-ice performance last season. Again, no shocker here. The team is selling 20 game packages starting at $19 per seat in the upper bowl and 11 game packages starting at $23. This team has got to move but it's taking those with a financial stake in a team in Phoenix a long time to realize that.

Hang in there Winnipeg, the Jets are coming home.

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