May 23, 2007
Preds Sold To RIM Founder
From the Nashville Post:
The Nashville Predators are being sold.
NashvillePost.com has learned that Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Research In Motion (makers of the Blackberry electronic communication device) is purchasing the Predators from Wisconsin businessman Craig Leipold. Leipold has owned the club since it first took to the ice in 1998.
The sale of the Predators, Nashville's first major league sporting franchise, was apparently discussed today in New York at a meeting of the National Hockey League's Board of Governors. It is believed as of now that the team will remain in Nashville for the forseeable future.
According to NashvillePost.com sources, a press conference has been scheduled for tomorrow to announce the sale of the team. At the time of publication of this article, officials from Predators could not be reached for comment.
Looks like Leipold was serious about not wanting to lose any more money. And of course, Balsillie wouldn't be putting up that kind of money unless he was sure he could move this team wherever he wanted -- including Ontario.
More later.
UPDATE: Here's a question that was in John Buccigross' mailbag earlier today.
Assuming Peter Forsberg does not play next season, the Predators are potentially going to lose a bunch of their top players. What do you see happening with these four regulars?
Scott Hartnell
Paul Kariya
Scott Nichol
Kimmo Timonen
It's terrible to think that a team with the third-best record in the NHL is potentially going to crumple. Everyone seems to think that Hartnell is gone to Edmonton and Timonen to Philadelphia to join his brother. Chris Mason and Marek Zidlicky are being thrown around as possible trade bait. Thoughts? Comments? Trade proposals?
Will Balsillie keep the team together and competitive, even if the fans in Nashville may stop coming if they know the team is leaving town? Interesting times...
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09:12 PM