http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070628/SPORTS02/70628024

Leipold set to sell Predators to Del Biaggio

Del Biaggio has a contract with Anschutz Entertainment Group to own an NHL team in Kansas City's new Sprint Center, whether that team arrives by expansion or relocation.


:doh:

I am a Predators fan, saw many games, I'll be sad if they move (more like when). I'll miss the team, but not the owner. The Preds have had the Arena in a stranglehold for years, hopefully their absence will encourage more events @ better gate rates

Yawn.

Why Kansas City? It hasn't exactly proven to be a bastion of support for hockey.

Why Kansas City? It hasn't exactly proven to be a bastion of support for hockey.

Because they have a nice arena waiting and Bettman doesn't want US teams moving to Canada.

Because they have a nice arena waiting and Bettman doesn't want US teams moving to Canada.
So instead of moving a team that appears to be on the cusp of turning the corner, expand there if it's such a great market. Are we the lowest-rated in overall attendance? (I know we're probably the lowest in corporate support as I read that the percentages are about 65% individuals/35% corporate, whereas that's reversed in other NHL cities.) I would also think Bettman doesn't want to admit that putting a team here is a mistake as that decision occurred on his watch.

I'm pretty sure the Predators are not last in attendance. I believe they are somewhere around 24th or 25th.

I'm also pretty sure Bettman would prefer to have the team stay put. Not that I think that will happen, but it seems like Bettman's preference. Hockey fans in Canada see him as satan incarnate.

Why Kansas City? It hasn't exactly proven to be a bastion of support for hockey.

because the prospective buyer has
a) the funds
b) a deal with the Sprint Center
c) the attention of Craig Leipold