Sput
09-25-2006, 08:32 AM
From: http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/
Monday, September 25, 2006
Brodsky rejects sale offer
by JIM SWANSON Citizen Sports Editor
The owner and president of the Prince George Cougars, has rejected an offer to purchase the Western Hockey League franchise.
The Citizen has learned that the offer, initially for $5 million and then raised to $5.5 million, was turned down by Rick Brodsky through his daughter, team business manager Brandi Brodsky.
The group making the offer sent a letter, dated Sept. 14 and signed by Rick Turgeon and Darcy Buryn, to WHL governors and commissioner Ron Robison. Turgeon, who owns a financial business in the city, is the president of the Prince George Spruce Kings, the host team for this season’s Royal Bank Cup, while Buryn, an accountant, is the Spruce Kings’ treasurer.
Other members of the group, named Sunday by Buryn, are brothers Gary and Troy Young. The letter also states that current NHL players Jason Smith, Eric Brewer and Dan Hamhuis would be part of the proposed new ownership group. Brewer and Hamhuis, former all-star defencemen for the Cougars, could not be reached to confirm their involvement, but Turgeon and Buryn said they have met with all three NHL veterans in person.
The involvement of NHL stars makes this offer appear similar to one received by the Kamloops Blazers this summer. Shareholders of that team told a group including, among others, Mark Recchi, Shane Doan, Daryl Sydor and Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi, that the assets of the team were not for sale. The Kamloops offer was never put to a vote.
“Our effort was in response to talk on the street, and articles (in The Citizen), of whether the team would be moving or staying,” said Buryn.
“We wanted to go to them and see if they were willing to sell. Or, if they were moving, we wanted to see about the possibilities of expansion. We want the WHL to stay in Prince George. We’re not making any statement on how they run their team or conduct business. But Brandi was clear, they’re not moving and they’re not for sale, and it’s here where they want to make it work.”
Turgeon and Buryn tendered their resignations to the Spruce Kings board before starting this process. The board did not accept those resignations, and Turgeon and Buryn said they continue to inform the Kings board of their actions.
The letter offers to either purchase the team outright or to enter a joint venture with Brodsky, though it reads that “we believe the current Prince George WHL franchise holder has been laying the groundwork with the WHL governors that the hockey fans of Prince George will not support the WHL.”
This is the first time any offer to purchase the Cougars has been confirmed. Rumours have floated about past bids, but no group has ever come forward, and Rick Brodsky has repeatedly said he has fielded no offers to purchase the team.
Turgeon, Buryn and the two Youngs met with WHL commissioner Ron Robison last November in Calgary. Turgeon and Buryn instigated a meeting with Brandi Brodsky and Cougars general manager Dallas Thompson in April. Brandi Brodsky said she told them the team was not for sale, and Buryn later called her back to raise the offer by a half-million dollars, she said.
“Maybe for $30 million we’d think about it, but we have no desire to do anything but own and operate the Prince George Cougars and continue to focus on making this a successful season,” said Brandi Brodsky.
“We’re not selling our team or leaving town. I think the folks involved with the Spruce Kings would be better off spending their time preparing for the Royal Bank Cup, than worrying about how they can become Prince George Cougars.”
The letter was not met with enthusiasm by WHL governors, which was the hope of Turgeon and Buryn. One WHL official said “these guys are dreaming,” and threw the letter out. Another said he would have faxed a copy to The Citizen, but it was thrown straight into the garbage.
Rick Brodsky has been involved in ownership and management of WHL teams for 30 years, in Saskatoon, Victoria and Prince George, and said he’s earned the respect of other league officals during that time.
Brodsky said he gets offended at suggestions he’s not local, as is hinted in the letter. He brought the Cougars to Prince George in 1994 and, while his business ventures take him on trips with regularity, he considers this city his primary residence. He and wife Debbie have homes in Kelowna and Arizona, and Brodsky owns a Junior A hockey team in Wichita Falls, Texas, the Wildcats of the North American Hockey League.
“Their offer was unsolicited,” said the Cougars owner.
“They put together something and sent it out. They have that right. I certainly do consider myself a part of the business community in Prince George, and I’m proud to say that.”
Monday, September 25, 2006
Brodsky rejects sale offer
by JIM SWANSON Citizen Sports Editor
The owner and president of the Prince George Cougars, has rejected an offer to purchase the Western Hockey League franchise.
The Citizen has learned that the offer, initially for $5 million and then raised to $5.5 million, was turned down by Rick Brodsky through his daughter, team business manager Brandi Brodsky.
The group making the offer sent a letter, dated Sept. 14 and signed by Rick Turgeon and Darcy Buryn, to WHL governors and commissioner Ron Robison. Turgeon, who owns a financial business in the city, is the president of the Prince George Spruce Kings, the host team for this season’s Royal Bank Cup, while Buryn, an accountant, is the Spruce Kings’ treasurer.
Other members of the group, named Sunday by Buryn, are brothers Gary and Troy Young. The letter also states that current NHL players Jason Smith, Eric Brewer and Dan Hamhuis would be part of the proposed new ownership group. Brewer and Hamhuis, former all-star defencemen for the Cougars, could not be reached to confirm their involvement, but Turgeon and Buryn said they have met with all three NHL veterans in person.
The involvement of NHL stars makes this offer appear similar to one received by the Kamloops Blazers this summer. Shareholders of that team told a group including, among others, Mark Recchi, Shane Doan, Daryl Sydor and Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi, that the assets of the team were not for sale. The Kamloops offer was never put to a vote.
“Our effort was in response to talk on the street, and articles (in The Citizen), of whether the team would be moving or staying,” said Buryn.
“We wanted to go to them and see if they were willing to sell. Or, if they were moving, we wanted to see about the possibilities of expansion. We want the WHL to stay in Prince George. We’re not making any statement on how they run their team or conduct business. But Brandi was clear, they’re not moving and they’re not for sale, and it’s here where they want to make it work.”
Turgeon and Buryn tendered their resignations to the Spruce Kings board before starting this process. The board did not accept those resignations, and Turgeon and Buryn said they continue to inform the Kings board of their actions.
The letter offers to either purchase the team outright or to enter a joint venture with Brodsky, though it reads that “we believe the current Prince George WHL franchise holder has been laying the groundwork with the WHL governors that the hockey fans of Prince George will not support the WHL.”
This is the first time any offer to purchase the Cougars has been confirmed. Rumours have floated about past bids, but no group has ever come forward, and Rick Brodsky has repeatedly said he has fielded no offers to purchase the team.
Turgeon, Buryn and the two Youngs met with WHL commissioner Ron Robison last November in Calgary. Turgeon and Buryn instigated a meeting with Brandi Brodsky and Cougars general manager Dallas Thompson in April. Brandi Brodsky said she told them the team was not for sale, and Buryn later called her back to raise the offer by a half-million dollars, she said.
“Maybe for $30 million we’d think about it, but we have no desire to do anything but own and operate the Prince George Cougars and continue to focus on making this a successful season,” said Brandi Brodsky.
“We’re not selling our team or leaving town. I think the folks involved with the Spruce Kings would be better off spending their time preparing for the Royal Bank Cup, than worrying about how they can become Prince George Cougars.”
The letter was not met with enthusiasm by WHL governors, which was the hope of Turgeon and Buryn. One WHL official said “these guys are dreaming,” and threw the letter out. Another said he would have faxed a copy to The Citizen, but it was thrown straight into the garbage.
Rick Brodsky has been involved in ownership and management of WHL teams for 30 years, in Saskatoon, Victoria and Prince George, and said he’s earned the respect of other league officals during that time.
Brodsky said he gets offended at suggestions he’s not local, as is hinted in the letter. He brought the Cougars to Prince George in 1994 and, while his business ventures take him on trips with regularity, he considers this city his primary residence. He and wife Debbie have homes in Kelowna and Arizona, and Brodsky owns a Junior A hockey team in Wichita Falls, Texas, the Wildcats of the North American Hockey League.
“Their offer was unsolicited,” said the Cougars owner.
“They put together something and sent it out. They have that right. I certainly do consider myself a part of the business community in Prince George, and I’m proud to say that.”