Archives for February 2003

'The Sabres received another devastating blow to their future in Buffalo when the group headed by Mark Hamister suspended its bid to try to purchase the team after failing to line up the necessary public financial assistance. It's been a dismal season for the Sabres, who are tied with Atlanta for last in the league with 41 points.' … [Read more...] about Devils tonight

'Another key roadblock was the inability of Hamister’s and Adelphia’s attorneys to reach an agreement on the issue of the approximately $157 million the Sabres owe to Adelphia, the team’s largest creditor.' … [Read more...] about It's Golisano's turn to save Sabres

'“Ultimately this is about keeping the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, regardless of whether Mark Hamister or our organization has anything to do with this acquisition,” he said. “As a community we need to do everything we can to keep the Sabres here in Buffalo, playing in Buffalo and succeeding in Buffalo.”' … [Read more...] about Hamister admits it won't fly

'“Without commenting on the wisdom of such a large public investment, it seems the fiscal realities of state and local government make this a highly speculative proposal at best,” Golisano wrote in the letter. “I want you to know that, if this effort fails, I am still committed to purchasing the team and keeping them in Buffalo.”' … [Read more...] about Hamister backs away from Sabres bid

'One possible bidder for the Sabres could be a group that is trying to buy a team and move it to Hamilton. The Toronto-based group recently expressed an interested in buying the Senators and moving that club to Hamilton. However, last year, the group approached several Hamilton businesspeople about buying the Sabres and moving that team to Hamilton. Richard Rodier, a … [Read more...] about Lacking support, deal for team folds

'``I don't think there's a single alternative that has been put on paper to date that will realistically happen,'' the Buffalo businessman said Monday. ``Let's hope after today that offers that work can be put on the table.'' Although he didn't mention names, Hamister was referring to B. Thomas Golisano, the Rochester billionaire … [Read more...] about Hamister suspends Sabres bid; challenges Golisano to make offer

'"I'm very happy with the way I'm playing this year," commented Tallinder. "They (the coaches) have shown a lot of confidence on me."' … [Read more...] about Rookie steps up

'The Flyers think Satan would be an ideal fit for their club and his salary of $3.55 million is such that Comcast wouldn't object to it. There is no question that the Flyers are lacking a sniper on the wings right now.' … [Read more...] about Philly eyes sniper but Satan stuck in limbo

'Mansouri wants details of the filing. He insists the deal he and Golisano put together will not require public financing. "Those are not deal maker or breaker," Mansouri told Channel Two's Carol Kaplan. "Those are an issue that we were told that they are on the table, and those are the issues that have been approved previously, and we just took … [Read more...] about Golisano waiting in the wings

'Hamister says the lack of government assistance made the decision easy. Public funds aren't going to come in, so after getting four extensions on deadlines to try to submit a bid, Hamister and Berman decided to call it quits, realizing that nearly 40 million dollars in public assistance from state, county and city government would not become available. Hamister said, … [Read more...] about Bidding Open for Buffalo Sabres

'It is believed Hamister's bid was scuttled by and an inability to gain approval of a $33 million assistance package from New York State that would be used primarily for arena improvements.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres Put on Open Market by NHL

'``The club now is free to entertain other expressions of interest and offers to purchase the franchise,'' Bill Daly, the league's chief legal officer, said in a statement. ``Our objective remains to find a purchaser who will maintain the franchise in Buffalo.''' … [Read more...] about Mark Hamister Can't Meet Deadline to Buy NHL's Sabres

'A news release from Berman's company said Chartwell pulled out due to a poor economic climate and the probability of no financial help from government. ``The lack of government assistance has greatly reduced the attractiveness of this investment ... the time for making this deal has lapsed,'' the statement said.' … [Read more...] about Hamister suspends Sabres bid

'"As of (Monday), the period of negotiating exclusivity granted to the Mark Hamister group for the purchase of the Buffalo Sabres has expired," NHL chief legal officer Bill Daly said. "As a result, the club now is free to purchase the franchise. Mr. Hamister remains welcome to pursue the purchase." "Our objective remains to find a purchaser who … [Read more...] about Hamister loses exclusive rights to buy Sabres

'Hormoz Mansouri, a member of Golisano's ownership group, said Golisano is prepared to jump back into the running on Tuesday morning. ''Our position has been as long as he'd had negotiations going on with the NHL, we would not entertain anything because, contractually, the NHL is obligated to talk to him,'' said Mansouri. ''After … [Read more...] about Souces say Hamister will miss fourth deadline