Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that the organization could shutter its doors for the foreseeable future if a sale of the team cannot be worked out.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that the organization could shutter its doors for the foreseeable future if a sale of the team cannot be worked out.
The Newfoundland Growlers, the ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, could have their operations suspended on Tuesday.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the owner of both the Growlers and the Trois-Rivieres Lions, Deacon Sports and Entertainment, has had a behind-the-scenes conflict over payments.
"Barring a major change on Tuesday, both of these two teams could have their operations suspended, if a sale cannot be worked out," Friedman reported.
"The same owner (Deacon Sports and Entertainment) owns the two teams, but there's been a lengthy behind-the-scenes battle over payments to the cities and some of the NHL teams, and they've put a deadline. And if it isn't solved by Tuesday, then there's going to be a board meeting and they're going to suspend operations of the team."
According to The Hockey News' Chris Galanopoulos, there were talks between Deacon Sports and Entertainment about a possible sale of Trois Rivieres to Canadian businessman, and President and CEO of Fix Network World, Steve Leal.
ECHL commissioner, Ryan Crelin, at the league's Board of Governors meeting in January then set a April 2 deadline for the two parties to get a deal done. The deal has reportedly hit a snag and won't be finished by Tuesday's deadline.
It's also being reported the DSE (Deacon Sports and Entertainment) owes the city of Trois Rivieres nearly $1 million for unpaid rent for the Lions' arena, the Colisee Videotron.
In the past, DSE has been in hot water with the City of St. John's, Newfoundland. The Growlers were locked out of the city-owned arena, the Mary Brown's Centre, in the fall of 2021 as the city investigated allegations of "disrespectful workplace conduct" by staff within the Growlers' ownership.
According to CBC, a report leaked to the media showed complaints against Deacon Sports and Entertainment going back to 2018. Growlers' ownership said the report was one-sided and that the facts could be proven.
The City of St. Johns and the Growlers would sort out the situation later that fall, allowing the team to return to the arena to play home games.
The Growlers host Trois Rivieres in a three-in-three, from April 5-7. It's unknown if those games will be played as of yet.
"Deacon Sports & Entertainment, in collaboration with the ECHL, is actively engaged in discussions to reach a positive resolution ahead of the anticipated ECHL Board of Governors meeting on April 2, 2024," a spokesperson for Deacon Sports and Entertainment said on Mar. 27.
Related
News from THN.com
'It's Built Into a Rivalry for Sure': Oilers and Kings Amp Up the Action With Playoffs Looming
Carolina Hurricanes Went From Having a Bad Problem to a Great Problem in Net
Capitals' Ethan Bear to Receive Care from NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program