The hearts of Winnipeg residents and Atlanta fans skipped a few beats Thursday night as a report broke that a deal was completed to sell the Atlanta Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment for the purposes of relocation.
From Stephen Brunt of the Globe & Mail:
Sources confirmed tonight that preparations are being made for an announcement Tuesday, confirming the sale and transfer of the Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns and operates the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League and the MTS Centre arena, which would become the NHL team's new home.
Gary Bettman, the commissioner of the National Hockey League, is expected to travel to Winnipeg to make the news official.
The likely excitement in Winnipeg was a bit premature as immediately after the story began circulating, so did the denials. USA Today's Kevin Allen, Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, Darren Dreger of TSN, CBC Sports and Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution all contacted their sources and reported that a deal was not completed. Bettman had earlier refuted rumors earlier on Thursday during his weekly radio show.
During the second intermission on TSN, Dreger reported that he was told there were still plenty of hurdles to overcome before a deal would be done. Bob McKenzie said was told Brunt's report that the NHL's Board of Governors approved a sale months ago, as long as the two sides could complete negotiations for the purchase, was also inaccurate.
The Globe and Mail is owned by True North partner David Thomson. The story was written by Globe and Mail columnist Stephen Brunt, one of the country's most respected sports writers.
Sources close to the deal say progress has been made and a deal could be reached in the coming days but nothing has been signed.
A high ranking source with the Thrashers said nothing has been completed although a deal is expected to be finalized.
Moments after the story broke, VERSUS' camera caught Commissioner Bettman in the stands during Game 3 of Tampa Bay/Boston; and sure enough, he was looking down checking his Blackberry that likely has been keeping him busy since.
By all accounts, the Atlanta-to-Winnipeg deal will happen in the very near future, but when you're dealing with very large financial transactions, it's going to take some time. Meanwhile, fans in Atlanta can only continue to wait and hope for the best.
UPDATE: Via Power 97, Jets fans met at Portage and Main to chant "Go Jets Go!" on Thursday night: