The Phoenix Coyotes may not be the team after all.
After the rumor that the Atlanta Thrashers had been sold by ownership group Atlanta Spirit LLC to Winnipeg group True North spread via Twitter on Sunday night, sources confirmed that negotiations were ongoing on Monday, though nothing yet has been completed, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Team brass, though, is remaining mum on the situation.
“I have never confirmed nor denied specific parties we have been talking to in regards to a possible sale of the Thrashers,” Thrashers co-owner Bruce Levenson said.
Levenson's vague response was echoed by team president Don Waddell.
"We continue to explore all our options regarding the future of the Thrashers," Waddell explained.
The cost of the franchise would be $110 million, according to the Sporting News.
"The Phoenix deal doesn't have any direct impact on the future of the Atlanta franchise. The two are stand-alone situations," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote week. "We are [and have been for quite some time now] working closely with Bruce Levenson and his partners to help resolve and clarify that situation going forward."
The Thrashers, who are last in the NHL in ticket revenues, are apparently losing $20 million per season.
A move from Atlanta to Winnipeg would likely be accompanied by conference realignment.
