Connecticut-based Research Edge LLC Managing Dir Daryl Jones, who serves as COO of a bid group for the Coyotes, said that his group "continues to work toward having a formal offer in place to buy and operate the Coyotes in Phoenix before the July 24 bid deadline." He added that he "believes the Coyotes can thrive in the desert as long as" Managing Partner & coach Wayne Gretzky remains involved. Jones said the Gretzky brand is "undervalued and underutilized," as Gretzky is "routinely mentioned as one of the top 10 athletes of any sport of all-time." Jones: "I don't think his franchise value is fully realized or he is fully utilized" ( HAMILTON SPECTATOR, 7/16 ). LIGHTNING STRIKES : Siraj Capital General Counsel Jonathan Strum said that the "planned sale of parts" of B.C.-based Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa by Lightning co-Owner Len Barrie "does not put the team at risk." Strum: "Not at all. We're looking for assets that grow. We're not looking to hockey. From a financial perspective, hockey is out of it." Siraj Capital "will act like an investment bank in the sale of $350[M] of bonds that will back the sale" ( ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 7/15 ). FISH OR CUT BAIT : In Atlanta, Jeff Schultz wrote Atlanta Spirit officials "should just go ahead and sell the Thrashers because they're doing a disservice to fans," as the owners "have shown through their actions that they care about basketball but not about hockey." The Thrashers "likely will have a team payroll of about $45[M] next season, which projects to be one of the five lowest in the league." Meanwhile, Hawks GM Rick Sund's payroll budget is "closer to" $65M, which puts the team "significantly closer to the middle of the pack" in the NBA. A Maryland judge is "expected to issue a ruling any day now on the value" of estranged Atlanta Spirit co-Owner Steve Belkin's 30% stake in the ownership group, but "regardless of how the judge rules, the non-Belkin owners will need the cash to buy out Belkin." That cash "could come from selling the Thrashers, and it would have to be relatively quick" ( AJC.com, 7/14 ). TICKETING REPORT : In Columbus, Aaron Portzline reported the Blue Jackets Monday announced "plans to sell an additional 1,400 upper-bowl seats in Nationwide Arena as $18 season tickets." Blue Jackets Senior VP/Business Operations Larry Hoepfner: "We're pretty aware of the economy and the challenges that everybody faces." Hoepfner said that the renewal rate for season tickets is "in the 'high 80[%]' range, a couple of percentage points ahead of last season's rate." Hoepfner: "We ended last year at about 10,000 season-ticket holders. We would expect to be at or above that number" ( COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 7/14 ). IN THE RUNNING : In Miami, Barry Jackson reported Panthers acting GM Randy Sexton and former Panthers coach Doug MacLean are "among finalists" for the team's GM position. Former Rangers GM Neil Smith and former Wild GM Doug Risebrough also are "thought to remain under consideration" ( MIAMI HERALD, 7/15 ).
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