End of WHA - Jets Insider.com Forums

sect112row36 · 10-19-2004, 02:38 PM

World Hockey Association sold to new owners
Updated: Monday October 18, 2004 8:48PM

TORONTO (AP) -- The fledgling World Hockey Association announced Monday an agreement has been reached to purchase its trademarks.

The sale is basically comprised of the WHA name and a few computers and desks from the Niagara Falls, Ontario head office. The new group, led by Toronto businessman William Smith, is planning to operate offices in Toronto, New York and Boca Raton, Fla.

The statement said Smith had been negotiating with WHA co-founder Nick Vaccaro for more than two weeks.

"Our plan is to quickly assemble our new team and decide if there is time to operate late in 2004 or early in 2005," Smith said. "The business model established by Dr. Vaccaro and his group is still sound."

The league appeared to be out of business before it even began play with the withdrawal two weeks ago of the Dallas Americans, co-owned by Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ed Belfour.

The WHA, trying to make its comeback after first folding in 1979, was originally hoping to kick off a 60-game regular season Dec. 26 with teams in Dallas, Vancouver, Detroit, Halifax, Miami, Toronto and Hamilton.

But problems with securing arena leases in some cities and a lack of commitments from players gave some of the previous owners cold feet.

Another blow to the league was having junior hockey phenom Sidney Crosby reject a 3-year, $7.5 million offer from Hamilton in August.

The original WHA existed in the 1970s.

Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

faba · 10-19-2004, 02:51 PM

Why would they want to put a team in Miami?
With about 200 N.H.L guys playing in Europe there might be some incentive to play close to home in Canada and U.S. But what I read that most of them if not all would have escape clauses for returning if NHL and the union can come to a agreement. Do not think they would just be able to walk away from their committments even if WHA new could get started for that league

The Gun Of Bavaria · 10-20-2004, 11:23 AM

It continues to show what is wrong with hockey via ignoring traditional and strong hockey markets for 'faddish' markets.

10-19-2004, 02:38 PM	#1
sect112row36 All Pro Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Somerset, NJ Posts: 1,572	World Hockey Association sold to new owners Updated: Monday October 18, 2004 8:48PM TORONTO (AP) -- The fledgling World Hockey Association announced Monday an agreement has been reached to purchase its trademarks. The sale is basically comprised of the WHA name and a few computers and desks from the Niagara Falls, Ontario head office. The new group, led by Toronto businessman William Smith, is planning to operate offices in Toronto, New York and Boca Raton, Fla. The statement said Smith had been negotiating with WHA co-founder Nick Vaccaro for more than two weeks. "Our plan is to quickly assemble our new team and decide if there is time to operate late in 2004 or early in 2005," Smith said. "The business model established by Dr. Vaccaro and his group is still sound." The league appeared to be out of business before it even began play with the withdrawal two weeks ago of the Dallas Americans, co-owned by Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ed Belfour. The WHA, trying to make its comeback after first folding in 1979, was originally hoping to kick off a 60-game regular season Dec. 26 with teams in Dallas, Vancouver, Detroit, Halifax, Miami, Toronto and Hamilton. But problems with securing arena leases in some cities and a lack of commitments from players gave some of the previous owners cold feet. Another blow to the league was having junior hockey phenom Sidney Crosby reject a 3-year, $7.5 million offer from Hamilton in August. The original WHA existed in the 1970s. Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

10-19-2004, 02:51 PM	#2
faba All League Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Holmdel Posts: 2,850	Why would they want to put a team in Miami? With about 200 N.H.L guys playing in Europe there might be some incentive to play close to home in Canada and U.S. But what I read that most of them if not all would have escape clauses for returning if NHL and the union can come to a agreement. Do not think they would just be able to walk away from their committments even if WHA new could get started for that league

10-20-2004, 11:23 AM	#3
The Gun Of Bavaria Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 8,682	It continues to show what is wrong with hockey via ignoring traditional and strong hockey markets for 'faddish' markets.