Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 1, 1990 TAG: 9006010090
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Brabham said Thursday that unless Geery settles $28,000 in debts next week at the East Coast Hockey League meetings in Hilton Head, S.C., the league's board of governors will vote to revoke Geery's franchise.
"If Richard comes to the meeting and agrees to pay me, I'll lease him the building again," said Brabham, who sold the Vinton franchise to Geery last summer. "If he doesn't, he's out and I'll bring my own team back into the LancerLot."
Geery, who was unavailable for comment Thursday, has been out of town for most of the past two months setting up a Global Hockey League franchise in Birmingham, Ala. The new league is scheduled to begin play in the fall.
"From what I've heard, I don't think the Global league is going to fly, at least this year," Brabham said. "I just don't see it happening."
Brabham reiterated that no matter what Geery does, there will be an ECHL club in Vinton for the 1990-91 season.
"If Richard pays up, he will have the team," Brabham said. "If he doesn't, I will have one."
The ECHL's annual summer meetings begin Sunday and continue through Tuesday.
Besides the Virginia situation, the biggest topic of discussion at the meeting will be expansion. Commissioner Pat Kelly said Thursday that Troy, Ohio, is a solid bet to be awarded a franchise, giving the third-year league 11 teams for the '90-91 season. The league, which operated with eight teams in 1989-90, already has added franchises in Richmond and Louisville, Ky.
"It's up to the league owners, but I'd say Troy has a good shot," Kelly said.
Kelly said the ECHL will be split into two divisions. Although he wouldn't speculate, the most likely setup would be a Northern Division consisting of Erie, Pa.; Johnstown, Pa.; Louisville; Nashville, Tenn., and Knoxville, Tenn. Troy also could be put in that division. The Southern Division would include Virginia; Richmond; Hampton Roads; Greensboro, N.C., and Winston-Salem, N.C.
by CNB