Gretzky Hopes to Bring NHL Team to Seattle?
Hockey great, Wayne Gretzky is rumored to have joined a group of investors looking to bring an NHL team to Seattle, Washington. Gretzky’s agent, however, is denying the story.
The New York Post reported that the group of investors, which is said to include Gretzky, is one of three seeking to bring an NHL franchise to the region. Whatever the case, league Commissioner Gary Bettman has not officially stated that the league is ready to expand, so resistance might be met at the most fundamental level regardless.
Whether true or not, there is a precedent for such ambitions on Gretzky’s part. In 2011, Gretzky partnered with New York firm Providence Equity Partners, in a bid to purchase the company that owns the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA‘s Toronto Raptors. The NHL rejected the offer, however, describing it as a leveraged buyout.
Darren Blake, Wayne Gretzky’s agent, said in an email to The Canadian Press that the Seattle story is false; “As you can imagine prospective team owners from various franchises call frequently to gauge his interest in coming on board. Seattle is no different.” He stressed that Gretzky is not involved in any bid at this time.
Below is a video featuring some career highlights from The Great One; and a visit to his PeekYou profile will provide you with loads of media reporting, recounting, reminiscing, and relating to the career of this one of a kind sportsman:
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