THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 2, 1996 TAG: 9611020267
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM AND KAREN WEINTRAUB, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: 62 lines
Blake Cullen, the man who brought minor league hockey to Hampton Roads in 1989, says he thinks major league hockey will succeed if George Shinn brings an expansion franchise to the region.
Shinn, owner of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, delivered a $100,000 check and an expansion application to National Hockey League headquarters in New York on Friday.
Cullen, who sold the Hampton Roads Admirals hockey team last spring after seven successful seasons, said Hampton Roads has ``the best fans in the world.''
``It's a super place and a super market,'' he said. ``Of all the sports, hockey is the one that will certainly put Hampton Roads on the map.''
His only regret, he said, is that he doesn't have the money to bring an NHL team here himself.
The reaction among most political leaders in Hampton Roads was cautious optimism.
Virginia Beach City Council member W.D. Sessoms Jr. said he's concerned about the timeframe: The region must come up with an arena site and financing package in less than two weeks.
``I'm certainly not going to say something can't be done in two weeks,'' he said, ``but it's a tremendous challenge to accomplish something of this magnitude in two weeks.''
Word even spread to the campaign trail. After flying into Norfolk for a debate with Democratic opponent Mark Warner, U.S. Senator John Warner, R-Va., waded through a sea of reporters waiting at the Piedmont Aviation Center for Shinn's return from NHL headquarters in New York.
``When they walk through that door,'' Warner told the reporters, ``I want you to tackle them and don't let them leave until they've put a franchise here.''
Asked if he had any ideas for prospective investors to help Shinn, he said: ``I've got the perfect candidate: Mark Warner. He's available and he's not going to get my job.''
Some other reactions:
Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf: ``I think if we do go into it, we should recognize that it will be strictly for the name identification that a major-league team brings to an area. I'm not sure that any of these arenas or teams makes a profit for the localities. It's for the prestige of having your name in every newspaper across this vast land.''
State Delegate Jerrauld Jones, D-Norfolk: ``This is the first time anybody has stood up and said, `I'm putting down the money for an expansion franchise for Hampton Roads.' He's a man with a proven track record. Nobody thought he would get an NBA franchise for Charlotte and nobody thought it would work. But it's one of the most successful franchises in the NBA.''
Jeff Sias, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce sports promotions director: ``I'm excited, and the (Hampton Roads) Chamber of Commerce without a doubt will be a part of the effort to bring an NHL franchise here. Our sports taskforce meeting is Monday and it will be the first item on the agenda.''
KEYWORDS: NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE FRANCHISE by CNB