Post by BIG-BAD-TONE on Aug 11, 2007 14:35:07 GMT
Lightning were Sold to the Absolute Hockey Group
Group led by former Florida Panthers coach Doug MacLean agrees to buy Tampa Bay Lightning
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- A group led by former Florida Panthers coach Doug MacLean has agreed to buy the Tampa Bay Lightning and says it has no plans to move the franchise that won its only Stanley Cup three years ago.
The purchase agreement includes the leasing rights to the St. Pete Times Forum and about 5.5 acres adjacent to the downtown arena.
The former Panthers coach was joined at Tuesday's press conference by fellow investors Jeff Sherrin, a Coral Springs real estate developer, and Oren Koules, a Los Angeles TV and movie producer who once played minor league hockey.
All three said they plan to move to the Tampa Bay area. In all, there will about nine or 10 principal owners.
"This is something we're taking very seriously," Koules said. "This isn't a toy for us. This is our job. This is going to be what we do."
Group led by former Florida Panthers coach Doug MacLean agrees to buy Tampa Bay Lightning
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- A group led by former Florida Panthers coach Doug MacLean has agreed to buy the Tampa Bay Lightning and says it has no plans to move the franchise that won its only Stanley Cup three years ago.
The purchase agreement includes the leasing rights to the St. Pete Times Forum and about 5.5 acres adjacent to the downtown arena.
The former Panthers coach was joined at Tuesday's press conference by fellow investors Jeff Sherrin, a Coral Springs real estate developer, and Oren Koules, a Los Angeles TV and movie producer who once played minor league hockey.
All three said they plan to move to the Tampa Bay area. In all, there will about nine or 10 principal owners.
"This is something we're taking very seriously," Koules said. "This isn't a toy for us. This is our job. This is going to be what we do."