ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 5, 1995 TAG: 9512050086
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: PHOENIX
SOURCE: Associated Press
The NHL's Winnipeg Jets have found a new home in Phoenix and intend to play there next season.
``It's not a done deal yet, but the announcement today in St.Paul makes it clear where we're headed,'' said Jerry Colangelo, the executive who now stands to run three major sports franchises.
Colangelo was referring to a news conference in Minnesota, where officials conceded their attempt to land the NHL team had failed.
Jets co-owner Richard Burke of Edina, Minn., had entertained thoughts of moving the team into St.Paul's refurbished Civic Center.
``Mr. Burke feels he can make a deal with Phoenix,'' Colangelo said. ``That should all take place in the next few days. There will be people here representing the ownership tomorrow.''
The move would be the second this year for an NHL team from a Canadian city to a U.S. city, and make Phoenix the 11th city in the United States with teams at the top level of football, baseball, basketball and hockey. Denver became No.10 on May 24, acquiring the former Quebec Nordiques.
The relocation must be approved by the NHL's board of governors, which meets Dec.14-16 in West Palm Beach, Fla.
It may be a formality, because Colangelo and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, a former NBA executive, are friends, and Bettman wants to see a franchise in Phoenix.
Colangelo, who also runs the NBA's Phoenix Suns and baseball's expansion Arizona Diamondbacks, had been negotiating for two weeks with Burke and co-owner Steven Gluckstern, who bought the Jets this year for $65 million.
Winnipeg was admitted to the NHL on June 22, 1979, after eight seasons in the World Hockey Association that included league championships in 1976, 1978 and 1979.
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines KEYWORDS: HOCKEYby CNB