Local ownership?

So, as we read in today's paper, there is a group of Tampa Bay area businesspeople who want to try to mount a bid for the Lightning. Included in the group are Tampa attorneys Steve Burton and Tom Scarritt and Coral Springs real estate developer Jeff Sherrin, who was part of the failed attempt by Absolute Hockey Enterprises to buy the team. Former Blue Jackets president Doug MacLean, also part of Absolute Hockey, said he will meet with the fledgling group this week to see if he is interested in joining.

For the group, the main focus seems to be local ownership and keeping the team in town. And I could have been clearer on that point in today's story, as I believe those in the group were speaking generally about keeping the team at the St. Pete Times Forum. 

Oren Koules, the Hollywood producer who also was part of Absolute Hockey and who is now trying to buy the team, has never said he wants to move it. In fact, when Koules, Sherrin and MacLean, announced Absolute Hockey's purchase of the team on Aug. 7, they were adamant they wanted to keep the team in Tampa.

I am curious, though, in this era of telecommuting and instant communications, if having a local owner still matters. Koules and his OK Hockey partners (business partner Mark Berg, and, it is believed, California banker Russell Belinsky), live in Southern Californa. But Koules has said he wants to buy a place on Harbour Island and walk across the bridge to the arena with the fans. The people in Montreal were nuts when George Gillett, an American, bought the Canadiens, but have since come to terms with it. Bill Davidson lives in Michigan, and his business operates there, but the Lightning won a Stanley Cup under his ownership.

I'm not advocating one way or another. To me, though, it is the commitment to the team and winning that counts most. Perhaps I'm wrong but that doesn't seem to be something that necessarily comes from geography.

Comments

[Alabaster Cat]

This entire matter will be consummated if an when these posturing plutocrats put up cash instead of grabbing media space with bluster. As Cuba Gooding said in the movie, JERRY MAGUIRE, "Show me the money!"

[hockey chic]

I really do not care who buys the team as long as they have a committment to keep the team in Tampa and support the team and the fans.

Damian and others have you guys seen the list of who owns what that is supposed to be American made these days. I am sure the same goes for sport franchises as well. The modern age anyone can buy or sell for that matter anything with the touch of a mouse and the push of a button.

I really think this whole team for sale thing is a distraction for the team. Lets just find a bonifide buyer and get this deal done so the team can concentrate on playing hockey for Gods sake.

Just my rose colored glassed half full cup view of the deal...

Go Bolts..

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Anything is better than the apathetic troll who currently owns the team and is carelessly watching them deteriorate before the fans eyes. We should ask ourselves, ownership or stewardship which is better? We don't need another business wag who's in it for the capital, we need a owner who is an avid lover of the game and who is dedicated to winning a championship.

If you are considering buying our team, then promise to take care of it like its your only child or cherished wife. Don't become a disenchanted troll.

[Lightning rod]

As Phil Esposito reported Sherrin's and MacLean's main interest was and is the 5.5 acres of land that comes with the team. Now these two are apparently being joined by others who own/control land around the forum. Rhetorically, I wonder what their focus is the team or the land? I don't know much about Koules; but he seemed to be focused on the team not the land. That's what appears to have broken the original partnership apart; and why Phil didn't join the group. Sherrin and MacLean were trying to ride Koules's money to acquire and also control the team; and Koules decided that he didn't like it. Who would?

It's obvious that Sherrin/MacLean don't have the $60+ million cash needed to buy the team; but they still want the land, so they are now playing the local ownership card. That's their focus; and the team appears to be last on their list. To me, Koules has the money to buy the team; and he appears to want to improve the team. If Davidson is going to sell the team, when I say bring on Koules.

I was wrong about Maclean/Sherrin, they would be a disaster. I was also wrong about Wilson doing adequate due-diligence on the Absolute Hockey group, before the sale was made public. I am now going to put the crow in the oven; but I sure hope we fans aren't the next ones to get cooked by all of this.

[jr]

You want Koules and Berg. Sherrin wants to develop the land, MacLean is unhireable and wants a hockey toy, the other names want to protect their real estate holdings.

Also, the Hollywood guys have really big bucks while the locals are really small potatoes financially. They couldn't come up with a lousy $5 million for a payment. Heck, they were counting on Koules for 80 PERCENT of the financing.

I've done some research on Sherrin. He ain't that big of a land baron. He's got an Orlando area tourism website that's pretty woeful. How he got latched into this deal escapes me.

I want those deep pocket guys with a commitment to hockey to buy the Lightning, not a bunch of quick buck artists and the ostracized Doug MacLean.

The argument is academic because you could take the four names in the "local" group, triple their assets and still not come up with $206 million.

[Fogelberg]

MacLean is a bum who should not be let within 100 yards of this team. Please! He ruins franchises. That said let's focus on the ice. This team needs a real shake up. Whatever needs to be done with regards to personnel and/or coaching needs to happen NOW. I say Vinny 4 is the only untouchable. There is no fire, no second line scoring, a young defense that is made to look silly most nights and inconsistent goaltending. Make some moves before the season is lost.

[David]

Say what you want about MacLean being a poor hockey man but he has done great work for the Canadian national team and lest we forget he made the Modin-Denis trade. Guess that puts him one up on our current hockey people.

[Nils]

He ruined Columbus with the Federov contract and other ill-timed moves. He alienated the owner, coach, media, and fans. Your standards are low David.

[andy]

The last thing I want is a bunch of this city's sleazy lawyers getting their paws on the Lightning. Google Burton and Scarritt and tell me if you see any redeeming qualities. Scarritt could not effectively manage "Rivals" the restaurant across the street from the Ice Palace (between the time it was Beef o Bradys then Andreychuk's)

[Another Joe]

I think Koules is the best choice. He has deep pockets and I believe I read he is a former minor league hockey player.

But more importantly we need someone who will spend to the cap. We are 5 million under the cap. I believe this team would be much better off with two more 2 million dollar players, one on the blue line and a winger. Or a 4 million dollar goalie!!! PS&E have been decent owners but now all they want to do is unload the team and they handcuffed Feaster with the 44 million dollar cap.

[B]

"But more importantly we need someone who will spend to the cap. We are 5 million under the cap. I believe this team would be much better off with two more 2 million dollar players, one on the blue line and a winger. Or a 4 million dollar goalie!!!"

YES! This man has the right idea.

[OK is OK]

Its encouraging to read the positive comments about Koules. I believe him when he suggests that wants to move near the Forum and emerse himself in the team's development. I agree that it would be a breath of fresh air to have an owner who is involved with the team, cares about winning and losing, and loves hockey - like Mickey Illich in Detroit.

I think those who put down Doug MacLean should consider this. The seeds he planted during his tenure with that club are now bearing fruit. The emergence of the Bluecoats as a playoff bound team did not just happen overnight. Also, he helped to build the Panther franchise that went to the Stanley Cup finals in their virtual NHL infancy. Don't sell Doug short unless your talking about his bank account.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

McClean is OK OK...its the other posers who want to press the Citizens and fans of Tampa for all they can get, then leave us high and dry with a floundering third rate team like that Japanese capital adventurist did in the team's infancy. If McClean had the money he would be fine, but he's no billionaire. Hell, he's probably barely a millionaire, therefore he will most likely end up as a general manager or front office guy paying his way and then he will probably wind up shining shoes and sharpening pencils for the real capital holders. Maybe if he gets three or four more law suits to go his way he might be able to help on the down payment next time or he can join up with those other lawyer creeps and really take it in the whatever. Oh poor Dougie!

[wiggy]

You two are totally misguided about MacLean. How about this: no NHL hockey organization will hire him in ANY capacity. They know more than you do.

And you are totally off base about the BlueJackets. Nothing they are doing now is related to MacLean except the old players are now responsding to a human coach rather than a littlke dictator. He did nothing to build that team.

[OK is OK]

Wiggy:

The Canadian media talks about MacLean as a serious candidate for Ferguson's job as GM of the Mapleleafs. There has been no refutation of this speculation by the Toronto organization although it is logical to assume that they and other potential employers might be sensitive to Doug's interests in ownership of the Lightning.

With all due credit awarded to current Coach Ken Hitchcock of the Bluejackets, your contention that Doug MacLean had nothing to do with Columbus' success is as specious as your comments about Doug's blanket unacceptability in the NHL.

I am sorry to inform you that you are brandishing your lack of information on this subject, but since this is an open forum, you are, of course, free to continue to do so.

[Nils]

Sorry, incorrectamundo. No Canadian media (that is credible) has mentioned MacLean's name in connection with the Ferguson job. The only two names have been John Muckler and Scotty Bowman.

As for Columbus, ask anyone there about MacLean and how he retarded the progress of the franchise.

Don't know why you are cheerleading this loser.

[Nils]

I hope Koules shows as much fight when he owns the team as he did in the minors:

Oren Koules

Regular Season
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM
1979-80 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 2 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- --
1979-80 Great Falls Americans WHL 24 9 11 20 85 -- -- -- -- --
1979-80 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 33 6 7 13 27
1980-81 Spokane Flyers WHL 67 28 45 73 112
1981-82 Calgary-Brandon WHL 53 17 31 48 68
1981-82 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL -- -- -- -- -- 4 0 1 1 0
1981-82 Saginaw Gears IHL 1 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- --
1982-83 Hampton Roads Gulls ACHL 18 6 15 21 11 -- -- -- -- --
1982-83 Virginia Raiders ACHL 25 5 10 15 21 -- -- -- -- --

[Clark]

As to the question posed, I think local ownership is very important. Yes, great things have happened under absentee Davidson's ownership, but there's no question that the Lightning/Forum operations have always been a distant second to that group's dealings in Michigan. It's not a stretch to imagine that things would have been even better if Davidson had actually been a resident of this community, where his actions would be srutinized and called into question by neighbors and at chamber of commerce functions. It's only natural to presume that an ownwer who resides in the same town as the team they own is going to take a greater interest than they would if they're located elsewhere.

[Mike13]

I agree with Another Joe. The budget is the important piece of the puzzle. It does nothing for us if the new owner won't spend to the NHL Salary Cap.

[weezer]

Think your presumption is erroneous in this case since we are dealing with known personalities and motives. Next time, try to include the specific available information in your reasoning rather than a mere generalization without the important details.

[Mr. Hockey]

Weve been here before. Absentee owners, players not playing to potential, questionable goalies,money being lost?, new owners, new beginnings. Deja Vu? Pass the sushi please.

[Mike13]

Not sure what you mean by that Weezer. The parties speculated to be in negotiation to purchase the Lightning franchise have not laid forth their budget plans to the public, so I am not quite sure how you can say that my presumptions are erroneous. The fact is, you don't know--just as I don't know. If you would care to reveal all the necessary details, that would be great. Otherwise, all you get to read on Lightning Strikes is conjecture and presumption.

The point I was making earlier is that many bloggers here seem to believe that new ownership automatically translates into pumping more money into the payroll of the club. I simply don't think that one necessarily equates to the other. Therefore, a change in ownership for the sake of a change in ownership doesn't mean squat and does nothing to address the real issues surrounding this weakening franchise.

We need either (or all): better scouting, more/better role players, and an owner who is willing to spend the funds necessary to make/keep the franchise competitive.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

I could give a rats big fat whatever who buys this team as long as they produce a winner. If Al Sharpton wanted to give it ride and had the money and put the right people in the right place, then let him buy it. Who cares who owns it as long as they run it like a hockey team and not damn side show or an "INVESTMENT."

[weezer]

Was referring to Clark's post, not yours Mike 13. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[Clark]

"I am curious, though, in this era of telecommuting and instant communications, if having a local owner still matters."

For what it's worth, this being what seemed to be a general inquiry, I gave a generalized answer.