Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 30, 1995 TAG: 9506300063
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NASHVILLE, TENN. LENGTH: Medium
Dick Evans took an hour Thursday to squelch some rumors and to insist that Nashville's bid for a major-league sports franchise is not confined to the New Jersey Devils.
``The offer that we have on the table is available to any franchise, assuming they are interested and free to move here,'' Evans said.
The offer includes $20 million to relocate, nearly all game ticket revenue, 97.5 percent of the luxury suite revenue, all advertising revenue in the arena and more than half the parking revenue.
Only time will tell if the NHL's Stanley Cup champions fit the description of ``interested and free.''
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority is suing the Devils in an effort to stop team owner John McMullen from breaking his lease at the Meadowlands Arena.
McMullen isn't happy with the lease, which runs through 2002, and has talked with Nashville about moving to a new Nashville arena that will be ready for the 1996-97 season.
``One thing I will say about New Jersey,'' Evans said. ``It is very clear by their actions they intend to improve their situation, regardless of whether it is in New Jersey or somewhere else.''
Evans was disturbed at the slap shots from the New Jersey and New York media.
As Evans' news conference broke up, several reporters pressed him again on whether the bid for the Devils was losing steam.
``Why don't you go back?'' Evans shot back at a New Jersey reporter who implied Evans' answers were less than helpful.
``I'm tired of the shots people are taking at the Grand Ole Opry and at Nashville. Don't forget, I used to live in that hellhole,'' said Evans, who previously worked in New York.
He was chief executive of Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall before joining Gaylord Entertainment Co. as chief operating officer two years ago.
Almost immediately, Nashville's bid for either an NHL or NBA franchise has fallen on his shoulders. Evans, who served on the board of governors for both leagues, sees Nashville's best chance for pro sports with hockey.
For years the National Hockey League concentrated its teams in the Northeast, Evans said. The effort to add teams in the South and West isn't over. A Nashville franchise would fit in among teams in Tampa and Dallas, each about 600 miles away. The nearest team is the St. Louis Blues, 250 miles away.
by CNB