Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 6, 1990 TAG: 9003062166
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Geery has received permission from the ECHL to move the club and said he is looking at prospective cities to relocate the franchise.
"I haven't packed the bags yet," Geery said. "I'm not going to say I'm definitely going to move, but today, yes, I'd say it's a pretty good chance."
Geery said Greenville, S.C., is at the top of his list.
"I've looked at Greenville," Geery said. "It seems the city, the chamber of commerce and the people there are very interested.
"Between Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson, there are about 800,000 people. The Atlanta Braves' Class AA baseball team [in Greenville] draws incredibly well."
Geery said the only snag is that the 4,144-seat Greenville Auditorium doesn't have ice-making capabilities.
"I'm waiting to hear back whether they will make the capital expenditures [for ice-making equipment]," Geery said.
The owner said that even if Greenville doesn't come up with ice, there's still a "50-50" chance he will move the club.
Geery, who bought the club from Vinton businessman Henry Brabham in July 1989, said poor attendance - the Lancers have averaged a league-low 1,800 fans per home game - forced him to look elsewhere.
"Let's face it, when you lose a ton of money with a first-place team, somebody is trying to tell you something," said Geery. "We've been in first place most of the season. I could understand not drawing with a last-place club. But what more do people want to see?
"I don't think I could sell out if I had Wayne Gretzky in here."
Geery said he thought about scheduling some games in Roanoke, but Roanoke Civic Center management has failed to respond to his request.
In a one-game trial Jan. 19, the Lancers drew 4,189 fans for a game against Johnstown at the civic center.
"He won't even respond," Geery said of Bob Chapman, the civic center's manager. "They have dates. But they say they have tentative contracts for concerts. They're not signed, and they're still telling us no.
"I want to sign a contract to put some people in their building, but I haven't heard a thing.
"Playing five to 10 games in Roanoke would have been a viable option."
Geery also said he couldn't understand why some fans continue to cite Brabham as a reason for not going to games at the 3,216-seat LancerLot.
Many local fans admittedly were disenchanted when Brabham brought the dubious All American Hockey League to town in 1987-88.
"Sure, Henry has made some mistakes," Geery said. "But people can continue to condemn Henry for the rest of his life. He's the reason why Roanoke has hockey. He's the founder of this league.
"To me, it's incredible for people to think that way."
Brabham, who still receives the concessions revenue at the LancerLot, said he doesn't know if he will bring a new ECHL franchise to the LancerLot if Geery moves the Lancers.
Geery said it would be easier for Brabham to make ends meet with 1,800 fans per night, because he also owns the LancerLot and keeps the concessions money.
"I don't know what's going to happen," Brabham said. "All I can say is that hockey here appears to be in serious jeopardy."
But many close to the situation are wagering that Brabham will bring in a new club if Geery leaves.
A source close to the team, who requested anonymity, said: "Don't worry. Henry will bring his own team in here. You can bet on it."
In a separate development, Geery said he has met with backers of the new Global Hockey League to discuss putting a franchise in Orlando, Fla.
The new league, which is to be begin play in November, will include 16 franchises, 10 in the United States and six in Europe.
"It's going to be like the WHA [World Hockey Association], but it's not going to be run like the WHA was," Geery said.
"They have seven U.S. teams and four European teams committed. I talked with Orlando, and they appeared interested."
Team budgets are expected to be about $4.3 million per season, including a salary cap of $2 million.
Geery said he will attend a meeting in London on March 17. Deadline for franchise applications is April 1, he said.
by CNB