Enough with Kansas City, already...

I didn't say it's a matter of time. I said if the Predators didn't start to break even, Del Biaggio would turn his interests in the Predators into full-time ownership and move the club.

Even his partners in the Nashville ownership group acknowledge that as an option.

It all depends what happens with the lease, and if the team hits the attendance target.

True, I should have linked to your earlier piece wherein you said, "K.C. is Boots's one and only play, and it always has been."

That's why I wish the Tennessean (or anyone for that matter) would expand on the comment that Del Biaggio is going to cut his ties with AEG. That would appear to take him out of the immediate running to own a team in K.C., if that is indeed a target for near-term expansion.

As for Nashville, certainly nothing has changed in that the fans and corporate community need to make this thing work. If attendance doesn't hit 14,000+ after everything that's happened, then by all means the team is entitled to move. But between the local efforts this summer, and the opportunity for more profitable management of the Sommet Center outside of hockey games, the potential for long-term success is clearly there.

the forechecker said "...But between the local efforts this summer, and the opportunity for more profitable management of the Sommet Center outside of hockey games, the potential for long-term success is clearly there..."

How do you figure that exactly FC?

BTW...CNNSI has a great story on this exact same topic...Curb Your Enthusiasm: Predators' sale is a good first step, but not a saviour

Same again @ ESPN...

Will fan and corporate support follow latest Preds offer?

"...Let us say unequivocally that we love the Predators. Nashville is a team that's been built by the book and run by good, smart hockey people. The city is a favorite among NHL writers. The fact the local group came up with a purchase price of $193 million is a surprising development. The fact only 25 percent of the bid price is debt is an even bigger shock.

But all the goodwill won't change this one undeniable fact: There is absolutely nothing to indicate there are enough paying fans and enough corporate support to keep the Nashville Predators alive..."

That SI article offers the same uninformed opinions about the situation here. So here are a few rebuttal points:

1) Current owner Craig Leipold failed to build support in the local business community for the team. The new team has deep local roots that will immediately help boost season ticket sales.

2) The management of the arena outside of Preds games holds great opportunity for improvement, and word is that the new team will completely swap out the arena management group. In addition, a competing music venue closed earlier this year, which should mean more events (and more profits) for the arena management side.

3) Some like to tout the team's regular season success last year as an indication that folks should be lining up in droves to buy tickets, but unfortunately in this country the sports media beat the drum saying that only the playoffs matter, and the regular season is meaningless. When that message gets repeated so often, why would folks spend time and money on coming out to see the Blue Jackets in November? If the Preds could make a decent playoff run, that would help get the casual fans on board. As an example, heading down the stretch to the playoffs last year the Preds sold out more than half of the final twenty home games, and the playoff games sold out very quickly.

4) The debt portion of this purchase is relatively low, reducing that side of the expense ledger and improving the chances of breaking even/making a profit.

And please don't recycle Burnside's tripe over here. He's taken every opportunity to paint this scenario in the worst possible light.

Does Del Biaggio's presence in the new ownership group present a bail-out opportunity in the event that attendance tanks and the team does indeed become free to move? Quite likely. But the events this summer make it extremely likely that the 14,000 mark will be achieved. And I doubt Boots' investment is being made on the expectation that things will fail here and he'll be heading off to KC straight away.

"to own a team in K.C., if that is indeed a target for near-term expansion"

This is indisputable. Anschutz wants a team in K.C., the league wants one there, too.

Does Del Biaggio's presence in the new ownership group present a bail-out opportunity in the event that attendance tanks and the team does indeed become free to move? Quite likely.

That's pretty much the end of the story here... K.C. continues to be Del Biaggio's interest, and if Nashville ends up proving it is a sustainable market long-term, he'll likely divest of his share of the team. It's really a no-lose proposition for him; if it fails, he gets his team to K.C., and if it succeeds, he either breaks even or makes a small profit in Tennessee before checking out.

The team's still in a tenuous position, but only if the lease can be broken.

You know, I've yet to make it to a game in Nashville, and I'd like to. Here's hoping they stay long enough for me to make it down there. :)

Not to be completely bad news for you Forechecker...here's something for ya to not only get your hopes a little higher but also probably post a blog about...

New Predators group not looking for profit

"...Freeman said on 106.7 The Fan in Nashville that the group doesn't expect to lose money.

''But beyond that, we are not in it for a profit,'' he said. ''We don't want a profit. Whatever extra we make will go back in.''..."

I almost linked to that article as well, because this point is the most important, I think:

"However, Del Biaggio said in a conference call Wednesday with Nashville reporters that once this deal goes through, he will not have the agreement with the Kansas City arena, but plans to work inside the NHL to help put a team there in the future."

So while AEG will still pursue a team for KC, I think the only scenario that involves Del Biaggio assuming majority control and moving the Preds there involves the attendance mark not being hit next year and the team walking away from the lease. Based on everything going on this summer, I think it highly likely that the 14,000 figure will be achieved.

By the way, James, if you do get the chance to make it down this way let me know, and we'll see if we can get you in with the Section 303 maniacs, to get a taste of the local fanbase here.