LvsRattlrs 
Rattlers Fan
Posts: 809
(7/2/03 3:13 pm)
Reply
|
Bats Welcome New Ownership Group
Bats Welcome New Ownership Group With Mix of Local, NHL Ties
Contact: Glen Norman, Media Relations, for more information
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League today announced the club has been purchased from K&J Ice Ltd., the team’s former owners. The new ownership group, Capital Hockey Ventures, Ltd., is comprised of 20 individuals, about half of which are based in the Austin area. Members of the new group were introduced to the media at a Wednesday afternoon press conference. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
The team’s new President/CEO, Austin businessman and sports marketer Jeff Buch (pronounced “Buck”), has been involved in professional sports for the past ten years. He previously served as Director of Advertising Sales for the NHL Dallas Stars, as well as Vice-President of Sports Partnerships for First USA Bank, and as a Legal Consultant to Professional Sports Management, a player representation firm.
The Bats’ new ownership team also includes Norman Green, the original owner of the Dallas Stars. As part owner of the NHL Atlanta and Calgary Flames, Green was with the Flames when they reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1986, and won the Stanley Cup Championship in 1989. After Green spearheaded the purchase of the NHL Minnesota North Stars in 1990, the North Stars reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1991.
In 1993, Green moved the North Stars to Dallas, where they became the Dallas Stars. After two seasons of instant success in which the team averaged over 95% attendance, Green sold the Stars in February 1996. However, he has remained involved with the team as a founder and consultant.
Joining Buch and Green on the Ice Bats’ Advisory Board are Jeffrey Cogen, Chief Operating Officer of the NHL Florida Panthers, and Frank Hubach, Vice-President of Premium Seat and Suite Sales at the American Airlines Center, home of the Stars and NBA Dallas Mavericks.
Buch said his group has been in negotiations to purchase the team for a few months.
“We are thrilled about our acquisition of the Ice Bats,” Buch said. “The Austin area has been, and continues to be a great hockey market filled with potential. We believe that, with the help of our many fans, we can use our marketing experience to continue to improve ticket sales, work to further benefit our corporate partners, and bring a championship to Austin.”
Buch said the new owners will be making additions, while retaining the team’s existing staff. Former Director of Corporate Sales Matthew Payne has been promoted as the new General Manager, and Eve DeForest will remain the club’s Director of Ticket Sales.
The former ownership group, K&J Ice, led by Houston businessmen Jim Crane and John McVaney, departs after four years of successful operations. The Ice Bats reached the playoffs in all four seasons under the K&J banner, and won the Southeast Division and Southern Conference titles in both years of CHL competition. Last season, the Ice Bats also garnered the Governors’ Cup title, with the league’s top regular season record.
“I think this will be great for hockey in Austin,” McVaney said. “It’s bringing in talented people who have tremendous skills and experience in hockey.”
“The League wishes to thank John McVaney and K&J Ice for their diligence in maintaining the strong tradition of Ice Bats hockey in Austin,” said Brad Treliving, CHL President.
“We welcome Capital Hockey Ventures into the CHL family. We believe their experience, vision and commitment will continue the development of the Ice Bats as one of the top franchises in our League,” Treliving said.
The 2003-04 Central Hockey League season begins October 16th, with the Ice Bats in defense of their Southeast Division and Governors’ Cup titles. The team’s complete game schedule will be finalized and released in July.
|
Email This To a Friend
Topic Commands
Click to receive email notification of replies 
Click to stop receiving email notification of replies