An agreement has been reached to sell the Atlanta Thrashers to a Winnipeg-based group which plans to move the franchise to the Manitoba capital, Stephen Brunt is reporting.
According to his report at globeandmail.com, sources confirmed to Brunt Thursday that an announcement confirming the sale of the Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment could come as early as Tuesday, May 24.
The group currently owns and operates the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League and the MTS Centre arena, where the team would play.
Brunt also reports NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is expected to travel to Winnipeg to make the news official.
On Thursday evening, the NHL and True North Sports and Entertainment told the Canandian Press the deal is not done.
“As far as we know, there is nothing done,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email to The Canadian Press. ”And certainly, the board has not approved anything.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported earlier this week that the Thrashers owners had begun negotiations on a sale that would relocate the team to Winnipeg.
More: NHL, True North downplay report
Talk of a move has been such that Premier Greg Selinger has had to deal with questions about possible government support for an NHL team.
His stance is Manitoba taxpayers won’t subsidize a franchise in Winnipeg but the province will consider everything else in its power to aid the return of the NHL.
The Jets moved from Winnipeg to Phoenix in 1996 because of financial problems, but the city has since built a new, albeit modestly-sized, arena by NHL standards. And it has potential owners with deep pockets in True North, which is led by businessman Mark Chipman and billionaire David Thomson.
The Thrashers, who made their debut as an expansion franchise in 1999, have qualified for the post-season just once. That was in 2007, when Atlanta was swept in the first round by the New York Rangers.
Atlanta finished 12th in the East with a 34-36-12 record.
The team was 28th out of the 30-team league in attendance this season, averaging just 13,469.
Still supporters are planning a rally before the team’s annual select-a-seat event for season-ticket holders at Philips Arena on Saturday.
With files from CP
