CLICK ABOVE for an interesting read after I tell my little tale here.
First of all, you should read the whole book about the California Seals Hockey Team.
The reason I am writing this today is that Bud Adams, owner of the Tennessee Titans just passed away. Of the original group that I was involved with to buy the Oakland Seals Hockey team, only Ralph Wilson, owner of the Buffalo Bills is still alive. Wayne Valley of the Raiders and Lamar Hunt of the Dallas team passed some time ago.
Quite a group: me, the Roller Derby guy, Lamar Hunt, Bud Adams, Ralph Wilson, Wayne Valley – all owners of American Football League teams headed a great group, made the highest offer, presented a great plan of operation, and had the backing of the Oakland Coliseum Complex, where Charlie Finley’s team the Oakland A’s played.
The NHL at this time was dominated by the original 6, with some new franchises. And Charlie walked in with no plan, waved one piece of paper and said “I am one independent guy, like all of you”, implying there was something wrong with the AFL owners with great fortunes in other businesses and a lot of savvy. The idiots bought it; Charlie got his team….a year later it was broke and out of town.
And people ask why I don’t enjoy hockey. Since that time I have seen three games, all at venues where our ticket companies have had sky boxes: Madison Square Garden, The Forum in Los Angeles, and HP Pavilion in San Jose……I have left early each time……it wasn’t the games fault, after all……and besides, there were no women skating.
When I did an Amazon search looking for your blogs the listing for this book came up! That is so interesting. Thanks, Commish!
One problem, Jerry. The Canadiens can suck worse than the Hacksonville Trabants and Le Centre Bell will still sell out. MTLRD draws in the dozens (AND THE DOZENS!)