wins the pissing match. They all are to blame in my eyes. Whoever wins, the first step that needs to be taken is hiring a quality sports businessman. Not some marketing cast-off from other leagues, but a true businessman. Give them martching orders to straighten out both franchises and stay out of the way.

This article sums up my exact thoughts this year. The owners know zero about hockey and DW is still here because he “does”.

Best case scenario…Owner with a face (not a group of idiots) buys a team and agrees to lease in Atlanta for 20-25 years. They also agree that a certain amount of $$ gets put back into Philips. That place is depreciating fast. I think fan interest will be huge despite the first years record because that is the biggest step in the right direction.

If Belkin wins, the Thrashers will be moving. Maybe not next year, but in short order. There’s no doubt in my mind. He’s publicly stated that he has/had no interest in owning a hockey franchise.

If Belkin wins, the Thrashers will be moving. Maybe not next year, but in short order. There’s no doubt in my mind. He’s publicly stated that he has/had no interest in owning a hockey franchise.

His desire to not own a hockey franchise does not mean the team will move. He might sell the team, and that’s fine. But the smart money is on him selling to a buyer who will keep the team in town.

Unless, you know, you can see into the future. If that’s the case, please tell me the winning lottery numbers for tonight’s Mega Millions lottery.

I don’t see an individual owner stepping up to purchase an NHL franchise in Atlanta. Even the Braves have had no success in finding a local owner. The only thing working in the Thrashers favor is the economy.

That’s two different things. An owner doesn’t have to be local to keep the team in town.

The naming rights for Philips Arena is tied to the Thrashers being in Atlanta, it makes complete business sense to keep the team here. If the ownership is really hemorrhaging money like they claimed they are (really, unless we see a cash flow statement, we’re not going to know for certain, but that’s a whole other can of worms), then it’s even more important for them to keep the Philips name on the arena.

How long is the Philips naming contract for?

If that’s the case, I can’t see this group of idiots letting the team go without a long lease agreement.

Once this squabble settles in court the victor will most likely sell the team. Doesn’t matter if the buyer is local or not. The new owner by right should be someone who has a passion for the game and would be willing to expose the team and game on a more broad level. Better and more aggressive marketing would better support the team. You need to build a more family oriented atmospere with the club in order to bring key players to build a contender. You have to be able to make players want to play there period. Examples- Have a fathers or family west coast trip to bring the players families with them when they do a trip to the teams in Cali. all on the teams expense, not just affordable ticket prices/packages that include three games with food and a drink and name them after a player like the Kovy or Bogosian package, provide players with one on one support for housing in gated communities and schooling for their kids, owners should call players when their injured directly to make sure their ok and let them know if they need anything their there to help. Its the little things and steady fan support that builds winners. I hope that this is what will come for the Thrashers for the sake of the team and Atlanta.

Hi everyone,

I moved from Chicago to Atlanta last April so this whole ownership situation strikes a certain chord with me. I grew up a Blackhawks fan (still am but am making the Thrashers my 1B now that I live here).

The Hawks were under the thumb of Bill Wirtz my entire life until he kicked the bucket right before last season began. It’s no coincidence that the Hawks became a must-have ticket in Chicago as soon as his son took over. At times it bothers me that this new family-friendly stuff sells so well but that’s what the Thrashers need to do to bring people to the arena. That and winning…but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

What also helps is a lot of reaching out. Have the players attend public signing events. When the team is on the road, have road watch events where Thrasher fans gather at a local bar/restaurant to watch the game with the Blue Crew for contests, raffles, etc. Fan conventions prior to the start of a new season are huge events in Chicago and just think how much the people who read this blog would like to meet guys like Kovalchuk and Little. Pardon my ignorance if these things already exist.

Of course, it sounds like these things can’t and won’t be done with the current ownership situation but I hope the new owner(s) do these kinds of things.

I’m familiar with being a fan of a team with high fan interest, followed by no fan interest, then unprecedented fan interest after an owner change. I want hockey to survive in the Southeast. It just needs owners who give a damn.

What exactly is this ownership group fighting over? Do they want ownership of the team? Or are they fighting to get it off their hands? And as a fan, which one is most likely to keep the team in Atlanta or sell it to someone who will?