The Puck Stops Here

A group that calls themselves Absolute Hockey Enterprises has reached an agreement to buy the Tampa Bay Lightning from current owner Bill Davidson. No price for the sale has yet been reported. Absolute Hockey Enterprises includes recently fired ex-Columbus Blue Jackets GM Doug MacLean, real estate developer Jeff Sherrin and Oren Koules a movie producer who was involved in such movies as Saw and Dumb and Dumberer. They have purchased the St Pete Times Forum (rink in which the Lightning play) and some surrounding real estate under the agreement. The NHL board of governors must approve this sale, but it is nice that a sale can occur in the NHL without the usual controversy that seems to accompany these things.

Bill Davidson, the outgoing owner was successful with the Lightning, including winning the 2004 Stanley Cup. He is now 83 years old, and may be beginning to divest himself of some of his business interests and was given a respectable offer (presumably). Davidson also owns the Detroit Pistons of the NBA and the Detroit Shock of the WNBA. I would not be surprised to see these teams sold in the next couple years when a buyer can be lined up.

Here is TSN's story on the potential sale.

NOTE: The purchase price has been revealed as $206 million.