THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 16, 1995 TAG: 9503160547
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
The American Hockey League refused to extend its deadline of noon Wednesday for Hampton Roads to apply for a franchise, but apparently did not close the door on the Admirals moving to the AHL.
The Admirals had signed a letter along with Richmond, Raleigh and South Carolina on Tuesday asking for 30 days to consider whether they should jump to the AHL next season. Earlier that day, Charlotte and Greensboro had announced they would move up to the AHL.
Wednesday morning AHL president Dave Andrews faxed a letter to Admirals president Blake Cullen saying he could not extend the deadline.
But in a phone conversation in the afternoon, he did not rule out the possibility of the Admirals being accepted beyond the deadline said Cullen, who would not elaborate.
Andrews also implied in a press release issued Wednesday that he is giving the Admirals and other franchises more time.
``We're in the process of negotiating with several potential expansion sites ... We're not prepared to comment further until such negotiations have been finalized,'' the release quoted him as saying.
It appears March 31 is the last day for the Admirals to act, since April 1 is the deadline set by the NHL for affiliation agreements. Andrews has said he must know by then how many teams will be in the AHL.
A source with the Admirals said: ``It appears we've been given some wriggle room.''
Sources say the Admirals believe that if they come to the AHL in the next few weeks with an application and an NHL affiliation that they will not be turned away.
Those same sources say Cullen is undecided as to whether moving up makes financial sense. He would surrender an ECHL franchise worth nearly $2 million and exit a league in which he's made money all six years he's operated.
He has been studying budget figures and speaking with other ECHL owners nearly nonstop since Monday. His budget would rise from about $1.7 million to $2.5-3 million and ticket prices would rise from $6 and $7. The average AHL ticket price is $12.
Cullen said he will talk to AHL owners and look at AHL budget figures. If he is convinced he should attempt to move to the AHL, he will contact NHL teams about affiliations.
``The issue is not dead,'' he said. ``We're continuing to look at it.''
So, apparently, are Richmond, Raleigh, South Carolina and Roanoke, which have all expressed interest in moving up. The AHL has 18 teams - including Charlotte and Greensboro. It wants to expand to 26 by 1996-97 to provide affiliates for all 26 NHL franchises.
Andrews met with Cullen and owners from Charlotte, Greensboro and South Carolina for the first time Monday in Charlotte. Cullen had spoken with Andrews only once before - on March 9 - and learned of the proposed jump of several ECHL teams to the AHL only a week earlier.
``That's why we sought the 30 days,'' Cullen said. ``We needed time to study this in more detail.''
However, Andrews indicated in his letter to Cullen that he had been negotiating with the Admirals and other ECHL teams since Feb. 16. Apparently, Andrews has been talking with Howard Williams, a member of the Greensboro ownership group, and Charlotte president Carl Scheer since then. Cullen said Williams apparently was bargaining for all the ECHL franchises without authorization.
``They thought he was representing everybody,'' Cullen said. ``They thought everybody was up to speed on what was being proposed.''
Andrews learned that was not the case only this week.
Cullen said he is concerned about several aspects of the proposed absorption of the ECHL franchises, but would not discuss his concerns.
The original proposal included a $1 million buyout clause, sources have said. If Cullen moved to the AHL, he would have to pay the league $1 million if he sold his franchise.
Sources say the buyout clause has been withdrawn by the AHL, but Cullen made apparent reference to it when he said: ``Howard has told us that the AHL has agreed to some changes, but I need to see it in writing before I commit this franchise to such a big step.''
The Admirals' office was flooded Wednesday with calls from fans, most urging Cullen to move up to the AHL.
``It's big, big decision and he's got a lot of pressure on him,'' coach John Brophy said. ``It's clear that we can go. What's not clear is whether it's makes sense for us to go.'' by CNB