Will The Wildcatters Stay?

[KFDM COOP]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

[NedDog]

I would hate to see the 'Catters leave Bmt.  They help give this area an identity. 

[rhino1877]

I surely hope not! I love to go and watch the Catters!

[adminbaberuth]

I've enjoyed the games I have attended, but how long will the taxpayers of Jefferson County cough up $10,000 per game?

[bullets13]

I've enjoyed the games I have attended, but how long will the taxpayers of Jefferson County cough up $10,000 per game?

My thoughts exactly.  The fact that the money to pay for a semi-pro hockey team to play is coming out of taxpayers' pockets in unbelievable.  If they can find a way to play and pay their own way, I'd love to see them stay.  As it is, they have a lot of trouble drumming up fans, so that's going to be a tough proposition. 

[hockeyfan]

From what I understand.....

The county is wanting the Wildcatters to pay $10,000 per game if they renew.

And the reason why the Wildcatters have had this season and last season rent-free is because of the county forcing them to take a year off due to Rita, while they realistically could have played that year.

It was either give them two seasons rent-free plus profits from parking and food, or pay a LARGE sum of money to the team.

The county chose the lesser of the two.

I really hope that we have hockey here next season, whether it's the Wildcatters or another team/league.

The sport have grown a lot in this area, with many adults and children playing in GTIH(Golden Triangle Ice Hockey).

With no pro team, there's no ice at the arena.

No ice means no recreational hockey, of course.

:-\

[hockeyfan]

The latest press release:

To our Loyal Season Ticket Holders, Fans, Golden Triangle Members and Others Interested in the Growth of Sports and Entertainment in Jefferson County:

As many of you are aware from reports in the media, the Texas Wildcatters are in discussions with representatives of the Jefferson County Commission with respect to the renewal of the License Agreement signed by both parties five (5) years ago. That License Agreement provides the Wildcatters two (2) options to renew that Agreement for five (5) years each.

By mutual agreement of the parties, those discussions are being conducted in an informal and respectful manner in order that the parties have the opportunity to best understand the respective perspectives and needs of the other party, and are not subject to daily positioning in the media. The Wildcatters have made some creative and exciting proposals, including purchasing and bringing additional sports properties to Ford Arena, and remain optimistic that a renewal agreement can be reached. We believe that the existence of the current dialogue with County representatives is a positive sign.

The Wildcatters were able to arrive at the point of desiring to exercise their renewal option by virtue of two important developments for the Wildcatters. First, and related to the opportunity developed by the current Wildcatters’ ownership participants to bring an ECHL team to a new $135 million arena in Ontario, California, commencing in October of the year, the ECHL approved on January 23rd the current Wildcatters’ ownership request to place an expansion team in Ontario. The payment of a significant expansion fee to the ECHL on behalf of a newly created ECHL membership for Ontario will thereby create an additional ECHL membership and enable the Wildcatters to stay in Jefferson County on a permanent basis.

A second development, and as most of our loyal fans have been aware, the Wildcatters have believed that local ownership by residents of Jefferson County would be a real asset to the business of the Wildcatters and provide a true and permanent relationship with the community. We are pleased to confirm that Ms. Sharon Terrell, a native of Jefferson County and a long-term season ticket holder has agreed to purchase a majority interest in the Wildcatters. She has a strong belief not only in the long-term importance of the Wildcatters to the quality of life in the County, but also recognizes their significant economic impact to the County in bringing employees and teams and fans of other cities to Jefferson County, as well as their charitable and educational endeavors.

The ECHL’s approval was subject to resolution of the renewal of the License Agreement with the County and approval of Ms. Terrell’s majority ownership of the membership within a time period that permits appropriate scheduling of games for next season.

In the meantime, the Wildcatters, with their winning ways on the ice as the team with the strongest record in professional hockey in North America, continue to proudly represent the State of Texas throughout the United States and Canada.

We thank you all for your continued support.

Sincerely,

The Texas Wildcatters Organization

[KFDM COOP]

Thanks for the update!