Andy Strickland reported that there is a group of local investors that are interested in buying the Blues but that TowerBrook is asking way too much. Don't quote me on the figures but I believe he said TowerBrook was asking something close to 150 million and the local group was bidding around 100.
If that's true then obviously they're very far apart. But who knows where Andy is getting that info and if it's fact or fiction.
The thing is that Checketts wants to still be the face of whatever ownership buys in but I'm not sure that will happen. If someone is buying 70% of the Blues they're going to run it how they see fit. That includes the front office and the face of the organization. You would think that the new owners would recognize what the guys in charge have done as far as bringing the fans back and leave things the same but you never know.
Also there was talk about the potential owners were trying to see if ESPN was going to pick up the NHL again.
I'm beginning to wonder how much of an impact missing the playoffs would have on the sale with the half now half later season ticket deal. We did shed money with these trades however.
People are really perseverating on that ticket deal. The playoffs would be a big financial benefit, but a fraction of that would have to do with those tickets. The fact is, those are seats that don't usually sell well....so its already probably a net plus for whatever they sold even if they only pay 1/2 regular price. That deal was a marketing ploy and not a financial burden.
The playoffs would be excellent for other reasons, however.
People are really perseverating on that ticket deal. The playoffs would be a big financial benefit, but a fraction of that would have to do with those tickets. The fact is, those are seats that don't usually sell well....so its already probably a net plus for whatever they sold even if they only pay 1/2 regular price. That deal was a marketing ploy and not a financial burden.
The playoffs would be excellent for other reasons, however.
That makes sense, and I know it was only a limited number, I was just speculating.
I still don't understand why this purchase is such a big deal. I read that Towerbrook liked how the attendance has bounced back from the lockout days, and the Blues' franchise value has increased, and so, decided to keep 75% of their stake (only to sell 25%). If that is true, they'd only be selling 25% of 70% of The Blues,-equaling only 17.5% of The Blues' stock. Maybe what I read was not true? I don't remember the source.
I still don't understand why this purchase is such a big deal. I read that Towerbrook liked how the attendance has bounced back from the lockout days, and the Blues' franchise value has increased, and so, decided to keep 75% of their stake (only to sell 25%). If that is true, they'd only be selling 25% of 70% of The Blues,-equaling only 17.5% of The Blues' stock. Maybe what I read was not true? I don't remember the source.
I think it might be the opposite, as in, they wanted 25% of it and were giving up 75% of theirs to the new majority owner.
Either way, from the way hockey decisions have been made I have to believe the internal budget is too big of a constraint. There are several important long-term contract talks coming up in the next year or so....and a stable owner is going to be important for that.
Having said that...the Halak and Backes deals were not adversely affected.
It's clear that The Blues will NOT be able to compete for The Stanley Cup unless they will be able to spend significantly more money (at LEAST up to within 20-25% of the cap maximum of the gap between the minimum to the maximum (or within 10-15% of the maximum). New (deep pockets) ownership, plus a better city tax situation could help.
I just heard Strickland again talking on kfns stating a source tells him the deal chekkets was working on is more in question now then before. This team needs stability in managment and finance and they need it in a damn hurry. This talent wont stay young forever and its time now to add a few small pieces and get us to the cup finals. With out the $$$$ its back to the last 44 years of frustrations.
Its almost to the point that I feel Checketts being in charge as a stipulation may have to become more flexible. If that's what it takes to get a new owner, so be it. The problem is I'm worried we could get someone in that will want their own management team....and I'm still pretty confident in this team (particularly now that Armstrong is showing his vision).
On the bright side, the patience period for the rebuild is pretty much over, so how bad could they screw things up?
I am sick and tired of this ongoing search for "Investors" fiasco. We have sold out all games this year to a team that is 13th in the Western Conference.
A recent survey on the Bleacher Report ranked all of the NHL teams owners, and the Blues ranked 29th just ahead of mess down in Phoenix at 30 that the NHL took over.
The fans of St. Louis deserve a better ownership group.
This whole build thru the Draft has produced mixed results. With the Boyes trade, the Blues find themselfs near the " Floor " of Minimum salary now. I am skeptical. The Blues are a Cursed Franchise.
*Shrug* No one wants to headline at their stadiums? You think the team that managed to replace the Arena would be compensated not punished for it.
Yeah, but just the Blues, and not the artists, could be exempt. Did Dave Matthews Band or the Eagles have to pay entertainment taxes when they had a concert at Busch?
Was reading a little on STL Today and Jeremy Rutherford mentioned that Checketts has had multiple offers to buy the team from him and take over. He said that Checketts was not interested but has not had any success on finding a investor. Didn't Checketts tell everyone that it was 95% at one point? He has missed two deadlines that he set himself one before the new year and one at the all star game/late feb. If there are individuals with deep pockets that want to keep the team in St. Louis shouldn't he sell the team instead of holding them back? JR mentioned at least one group would definitely keep the Blues here. I just think as fans we deserve to have the best owner available since we have supported this struggling team for the last 5 yrs. It looks like SCP only ownes 10% of the Blues. How in the world is he in charge when his company owns 10%? No way another investor comes in and lets him keep control of the team, most rich people get rich by making smart investments. If he does not have the money to produce a competitive team he needs to step aside as long as the team stays here. If he refuses to sell but runs a cheap team next yr I'm out, ill watch them at home.
Managing partner agreement. That's how he's in control.
Also, take it for what it's worth, but my dad's friend has some connections with members of the Blues organization and he says that there are several offers, but Towerbrook and the investors are haggling over the price. Towerbrook wants something like 50% more than they are offering. It would still be a profit for them, but they are trying to get a higher ROI and are haggling over the price while keeping their holding expenses (i.e. payroll) down. He says the most serious person bidding on the team is a St. Louisan named Webster. I forget his first name.
He also says that Armstrong isn't very fond of Jackman and that he was looking to move Jackman at the deadline but couldn't find any good offers and moving him would have put us dangerously close to the cap floor. He says that deadline deals to trade Johnson and dump some of the established veterans was to assert himself as GM. Says there are a lot of Blues alumni that are tight with many of the players and management and try and influence the organization. When Davidson first got here he leaned on some of them a little, but wanted an strong outsider like Armstrong to take over for Pleau. He says MacInnis especially was meddling in personnel too much and was a big fan of Jackman and Johnson. Whoever is my dad's friend's source in the organization is not a fan of MacInnis and pretty much trashes him whenever he can.
Again, believe me or not, I'm just relaying what I have been told.
Managing partner agreement. That's how he's in control.
Also, take it for what it's worth, but my dad's friend has some connections with members of the Blues organization and he says that there are several offers, but Towerbrook and the investors are haggling over the price. Towerbrook wants something like 50% more than they are offering. It would still be a profit for them, but they are trying to get a higher ROI and are haggling over the price while keeping their holding expenses (i.e. payroll) down. He says the most serious person bidding on the team is a St. Louisan named Webster. I forget his first name.
He also says that Armstrong isn't very fond of Jackman and that he was looking to move Jackman at the deadline but couldn't find any good offers and moving him would have put us dangerously close to the cap floor. He says that deadline deals to trade Johnson and dump some of the established veterans was to assert himself as GM. Says there are a lot of Blues alumni that are tight with many of the players and management and try and influence the organization. When Davidson first got here he leaned on some of them a little, but wanted an strong outsider like Armstrong to take over for Pleau. He says MacInnis especially was meddling in personnel too much and was a big fan of Jackman and Johnson. Whoever is my dad's friend's source in the organization is not a fan of MacInnis and pretty much trashes him whenever he can.
Again, believe me or not, I'm just relaying what I have been told.
Well it's a good think Armstrong asserted himself into this team unable to keep the puck out of their own net. That'll teach 'em real good Dougie! Is there an "I really only mean just a little sarcasm" smiley?
I'm not saying your bolded statement is wrong, it is just really hard to imagine how anyone could trash MacInnis. Isn't MacInnis the VP of player develoment? You would think that the duties of that job would include some "meddling" from time to time.
Well it's a good think Armstrong asserted himself into this team unable to keep the puck out of their own net. That'll teach 'em real good Dougie! Is there an "I really only mean just a little sarcasm" smiley?
I'm not saying your bolded statement is wrong, it is just really hard to imagine how anyone could trash MacInnis. Isn't MacInnis the VP of player develoment? You would think that the duties of that job would include some "meddling" from time to time.
Moving Jackman leaves the Blues Coliacavo and Polak as their most experienced Dmen. If you add Pietroangelo and Shattenkirk, who will be sophomores next season, then you have what, Cole and Nitikin to round out the top 6? Yikes....... Even with Jackman in the fold, the Blues need a veteran defensive Dman, getting rid of him is fine if they can improve the blueline.
