THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 26, 1995 TAG: 9503260371
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
The city of Norfolk is not pressuring the Hampton Roads Admirals to jump to the American Hockey League, said Norfolk mayor Paul Fraim.
Several newspapers have reported the city has been negotiating with another group interested in bringing an AHL franchise to Norfolk. Fraim, an Admirals' season ticket holder, says that is not true. The city will work only with Admirals president and sole owner Blake Cullen and will not negotiate with anyone else.
``We look forward to maintaining a strong working relationship with Blake Cullen,'' Fraim said.
``The city feels a great sense of loyalty to Blake Cullen. We want very much for Blake Cullen to be a part of hockey in this city for as long as he desires. Anything we can do to work with Blake we're going to do.''
That includes a future in the East Coast Hockey League if that's what Cullen chooses, Fraim said.
``Blake is not receiving any pressure from the city of Norfolk to move to the AHL. Blake's future is in his own hands,'' Fraim said.
Added Scope director Bill Luther: ``It's Blake's choice. Whatever he chooses, we're behind him 100 percent.
``The man has done so much for the city. He made hockey work here. He was the force behind the growth of minor league hockey. He showed people it could work. This team was drawing big crowds when nobody else was.
``I would not turn my back on someone who has contributed so much to Scope and the city of Norfolk.''
The Admirals have attracted more than 1.5 million fans in six seasons who have contributed an estimated $4 million in rent and direct tax receipts to Scope. The spinoff from additional sales at restaurants and shops downtown is in the millions.
``Why would we want anyone else to run a hockey team in Norfolk when we already have Blake Cullen?'' Luther said. by CNB