INITIAL THOUGHTS POSTED 2:20PM ON JULY 13, 2017.
I will add to this as more information becomes available.
WOWWWWW!!!!!!
This week just keeps getting better. After the announcement that the team had re-signed Jaccob Slavin yesterday, news seems to be breaking that the team is being sold. The name being reported is Chuck Greenberg
Most significantly a Tweet from Jeff Gravely at WRAL says that the deal will keep the team in Raleigh.
The BEST (no exaggeration) thing that could possibly happen to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2017
If this proves to be true, it will trump any and all other good news for 2017. You can @ me on Twitter if we win the Stanley Cup next June, but I honestly think I would choose ownership stability in a way that has a long-term future over another championship.
Who is Chuck Greenberg?
I will detail his history in more detail later, but here are the key points.
–He is a professional GM/sports executive who currently owns minor league teams (Myrtle Beach Pelicans included) but probably is most known for his time as the Texas Rangers’ GM.
–Not insignificantly, he had a role in Mario Lemieux’s acquisition of the Penguins and has hockey roots despite his career being mostly in baseball.
–Also not insignificantly, he does actually have some ties to the Southeast and pending any kind of announcement of an ownership group does not seem to be directly tied to any Canadian interests.
ADDED 3:13PM ON JULY 13, 2017
Had the Hurricanes been able to schedule/choreograph this announcement (and assuming the deal is even done), they would have aimed for an announcement next week. The ACC Kickoff is today and tomorrow and has a large number of local sports news people out of town and also the local sports world focused on something else right now.
Who knows if the deal is actually even done (all reports are still saying “letter of intent”) but if it was, next week would be the target. I guess maybe that changes with the news leak and the cat already wiggling out of the bag.
Will continue to add to this log if/when news and/or confirmation emerges.
GO CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is great news!
1) Team stays in Raleigh.
2) The internal budget will be a thing of the past.
3) Karmanos leaves on good terms and will be better remembered on his departure.
It’s on TSN.CA, can’t get more O’fficial than that !!! 🙂
Only way it get’s better is if the deal closes tomorrow!
Commented on Twitter that preferred announcement for Canes would be Monday after ACC Kickoff meetings (Thu & Fri) are over, but with the cat already most of the way out of the bag maybe the original plan changes.
though I no longer live in the Raleigh-Durham area, this is by far extremely exciting news. I appreciate PK for bringing the team to town, fresh blood will bring fresh idea’s. Hopefully they leave things “as-is” for this season. I think we are on the right track and it will be an exciting year. Will take in a game when they come to Vegas December 12th.
With the wailing of all the haters in Quebec being softly streamed in the background.
roflmao!!! They will have to troll another team.
Hey Puckgod, you can breathe now!!!!! WE’RE NOT MOVING TO CANADA!!!
Leave it to PK:
Late Thursday, the Hurricanes issued a statement on the proposed sale:
Since an offer has been made to purchase the team, Mr. Karmanos intends to evaluate that offer and also will continue to evaluate his other options, including retaining his ownership of the team.
Now we’re talking. Officially a new era in Canes Hockey and the timing couldn’t be any better (2017 as opposed to 2019). The Canes needed a jolt and RF’s deals this summer and this announcement change the dynamics in so many ways it’s hard to comprehend. Increased ticket and product revenues, more money to spend on players and facilities upgrades, more butts in the seats and more energy and excitement. The next two months will be brutal.
tenininumee, great to see you contributing again. It’s be a while since I’ve seen your moniker. Again, glad you are back. You add great stuff (crude term for insights).
I agree with Matt that I would prefer stable, long-term, fan-friendly ownership to another Cup next June. This couldn’t have come at a better time and does explain some of the recent signings by RF. With an infusion of money, it solidifies our up and coming position for many years to come.
If this deal turns out true, then we should be thankful for Peter Karmanos. After all, he is the man who brought the NHL to the triangle and believed what many at the time did not…the fact hockey in Raleigh could thrive. Along his tenure we saw many heartaches, though several triumphs…all which started with his belief in this market and franchise. PK took a bold chance relocating the team and many pundits back then laughed. Yet we are enjoying the benefits 20 years later (realize it or not).
Coming from a fan of the Whalers days, I could have easily labeled Karmanos the enemy back then. But I never did. I saw his vision back in 1997 (and even before that in 1994 when he bought the team). It’s the main reason why I’m writing on this blog today. I, like many, transitioned to becoming a diehard Caniac. And I did so no questions asked. Sometimes you have to go against the grain and believe.
While many would argue Karmanos held this team back or was too tight financially… I will just say this. I am thankful in Karmanos’ vision and dedication (even if he managed from afar) for what he believes is a true hockey market. The arena deal, tailgating fanatics, community involvement and development of hockey in this area will always stem back to PK. That said, every book has a chapter, and it is time for a new one. How fitting we as Caniacs may be welcoming a new owner at this stage if our rebuild, who will breathe new vibrant energy into expanding Caniac nation, and possibly making it better?!
I hope the next 20 years will build upon the last! So if this is truly it, thank you Mr. Karmanos for being the founder of Caniac nation.
I just finished typing a long epistle in favor of the sale…etc
and when I hit submit…I got “you must be logged in” …aarrgh!!!
it UNLOGGED ME AND IT’S GONE…
I’M a retired IBMr and I hate computers!