Balsillie renews efforts to buy Predators

Habsfan84 · October 13th, 2007, 03:21 PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Jim Balsillie is renewing his efforts to buy the Nashville Predators.
The Canadian billionaire's latest pitch came in the form of a letter presented to the city's Metro Sports Authority saying he would not seek changes to the team's arena lease, the Nashville-based Tennessean newspaper reported Friday.
The Balsillie interest is separate from a group of primarily local businessmen looking to purchase the NHL team. That group is trying to negotiate tax breaks and a cap on losses with city officials before finalizing its deal.
The Balsillie letter, sent on the Canadian's behalf by Nashville consultant Bo Roberts, said he would take those ideas off the table and raise the franchise's fee for breaking the lease early to US$75 million from $16 million, minus annual operating losses.
The penalty would not drop below $25 million. The team's lease for the Sommet Center runs through 2028 if the team averages 14,000 tickets sold per game.

Balsillie, co-CEO of Waterloo, Ont.-based BlackBerry maker Research In Motion, had a deal in May with Predators owner Craig Leipold fall apart when he started taking season-ticket deposits in Hamilton after promising not to move the team.
Kevin Lavender, the sports authority's chairman, told the paper that Balsillie's letter was ''intriguing'' but noted that the local group, led by David Freeman, has exclusive negotiating rights with Leipold through Oct. 31.
In the letter, Balsillie also promised to spend at least the midway point between the NHL minimum and maximum payrolls and said he would welcome members of the local group into his ownership team.

detroitfan · October 27th, 2007, 05:47 PM

Good move the Preds.. Preds ownership don't give a hoot about the team!

Habsfan84 · October 31st, 2007, 01:40 PM

Ya lets move it to Canada

Joe Strummer · August 15th, 2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habsfan84

Ya lets move it to Canada

Amen!

Drury77 · August 26th, 2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Strummer

Amen!

O please, you guys have no clue about Preds ownership or the fanbase here. So back off. While I agree that Canada should absolutely have another team, goin after the Preds is BS.

October 13th, 2007, 03:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Habsfan84 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 3,601	Balsillie renews efforts to buy Predators NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Jim Balsillie is renewing his efforts to buy the Nashville Predators. The Canadian billionaire's latest pitch came in the form of a letter presented to the city's Metro Sports Authority saying he would not seek changes to the team's arena lease, the Nashville-based Tennessean newspaper reported Friday. The Balsillie interest is separate from a group of primarily local businessmen looking to purchase the NHL team. That group is trying to negotiate tax breaks and a cap on losses with city officials before finalizing its deal. The Balsillie letter, sent on the Canadian's behalf by Nashville consultant Bo Roberts, said he would take those ideas off the table and raise the franchise's fee for breaking the lease early to US$75 million from $16 million, minus annual operating losses. The penalty would not drop below $25 million. The team's lease for the Sommet Center runs through 2028 if the team averages 14,000 tickets sold per game. Balsillie, co-CEO of Waterloo, Ont.-based BlackBerry maker Research In Motion, had a deal in May with Predators owner Craig Leipold fall apart when he started taking season-ticket deposits in Hamilton after promising not to move the team. Kevin Lavender, the sports authority's chairman, told the paper that Balsillie's letter was ''intriguing'' but noted that the local group, led by David Freeman, has exclusive negotiating rights with Leipold through Oct. 31. In the letter, Balsillie also promised to spend at least the midway point between the NHL minimum and maximum payrolls and said he would welcome members of the local group into his ownership team. __________________ FanHome Members Remember to Keep Posting on FanHome [where fans connect]. Guests Please RegisterFor Access to a Great Forum

October 27th, 2007, 05:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
detroitfan Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 129	Good move the Preds.. Preds ownership don't give a hoot about the team! __________________ Detroitfan

October 31st, 2007, 01:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Habsfan84 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 3,601	Ya lets move it to Canada __________________ FanHome Members Remember to Keep Posting on FanHome [where fans connect]. Guests Please RegisterFor Access to a Great Forum