Maple Leafs for Sale?

[RadioGaGa 162]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=357807

I can't believe what I'm about to say:

This could be the best step in the team becoming a Top NHL team again. Find a 'Terry Pegula' type guy with deep pockets who loves hockey. Get them away from the ownership of a faceless Corporate entity. Stop worrying about just making money, and worry about winning something for a change.

Hell...first the Sabres...now potentially the Leafs. As a Habs fan...this is bad for me *L*

[Chadd 916]

Paging Jim Balsilie

[bigdmac 12]

This is great news, and I totally agree with the Balsilie comment he would be a perfect fit

[RadioGaGa 162]

Now we get to find out if the League really hates him. if he comes forward with the money to buy a team that he will have no need or intention to move....will they still shy away?

I wonder if David Thomson will step forward as a potential buyer. He seems to be a major player in the relocating of Phoenix to Winnipeg. And, this isn't just the Leafs that are for sale...it's the Raptors, TFC (Soccer), the Marlies. The buildings woudl aslo be part of teh sale, no? (ACC, Ricoh Coliseum and BMO Field)

[Chadd 916]

they aren't selling the team, they are selling their shares in the parent company that happens to own the team. Sure, the Leafs are the biggest asset, but there is more than just the team on the table. Their 66% is controlling interest.

[team50 20]

Tenenbaum and TD Canada Trust have first crack at that 66%. Expect one or both take advantage prior to those shares hitting the open market.

[hunterphfr 12]

they aren't selling the team, they are selling their shares in the parent company that happens to own the team. Sure, the Leafs are the biggest asset, but there is more than just the team on the table. Their 66% is controlling interest.

Probably a little to simplified but;

While the pension has controlling interest, my understanding was Tanenbaum as Chairman of the Board was pretty much in control. Thus making the pension majority owners (66%)of the most valuable franchise in the NHL, reportedly worth over $500 million. With reportedly very little input or say in day to day operations. The team began to slide backwards from the post-Ballard era resurgence of the 90s as Tanenbaum (20.5%) assumed control as Stavro stepped aside in 2003 and sold his shares to the pension. The deal gave control to Tanenbaum and if my memory doesn't fail me they haven't made the playoffs since. Despite growing up in Toronto my allegiance has been with Calgary since being stationed there in the late 90s and Tampa after moving here. It's just way to difficult and depressing to be a Leafs fan.

The pension has $96.4 BILLION in net assets, making the Maple Leafs a very small part of their portfolio.

[n3ss 0]

Maple leafs to winnipeg!

[chippa13 1844]

Paging Jim Balsilie

Could the Leafs make a go of it in Hamilton?

[dayroc 0]

Could the Leafs make a go of it in Hamilton?

Leafs will never move from toronto, no matter who took it over.

Leaf games are sold out even when the leafs are in last place.

[raganblink 82]

Leafs could build a 35k arena and they'd still sell it out while in last place

[Chadd 916]

Leafs will never move from toronto, no matter who took it over.

Leaf games are sold out even when the leafs are in last place.

Chippa was making a joke. When Balsilie tried to buy Pittsburgh and Nashville, he was making plans to play in Hamilton(and even selling tickets in the case of Nashville), long before there was a sales agreement.

I hate having to explain jokes.

[N00dl3 0]

Paging Jim Balsilie

I thought Basillie was blacklisted from the NHL and no longer allowed to try and purchase a team?

[Chadd 916]

I thought Basillie was blacklisted from the NHL and no longer allowed to try and purchase a team?

Pretty much true, that's why it would be so much fun to see him try again.