Sunday April 20, 2003
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the reborn World Hockey Association, once a formidable rival to the NHL, is determined to place a franchise in Pittsburgh for its inaugural season, 2004-05.
Allan Howell, co-founder of the new league, said yesterday that an interested potential owner for the team has emerged, but he declined to reveal an identity. All Howell would say is that the potential owner meets the WHA's criteria of having a net worth greater than $100 million.
Howell and fellow founder Nick Vaccaro purchased a full-page advertisement in the April 25 issue of The Hockey News to introduce the new WHA, listing 32 cities as being "potential franchise opportunities" which have "expressed their desire to seriously consider participation." Pittsburgh is among seven which have an asterisk denoting that ownership commitment has been established.
The timing of the WHA's first season is designed to coincide with the expiration of the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement with its players union in September 2004. With owners pushing for a salary cap and other restrictions, many are expecting a work stoppage.
The Penguins have said they are dependent on a significantly more favorable CBA and the promise of funding for a new Uptown arena to remain financially viable.
Howell made it clear he does not expect them to succeed in the former.
"No one wants to see Penguins disappear. It would be a sad day if that happens," Howell said from the WHA's office in Niagara Falls, Ontario. "But I'm not sure that system can be fixed. That's why 2004 is the time we want to start. In our opinion, as many as 10 teams will not be able to continue after the CBA expires."
Ken Sawyer, president of the Penguins, yesterday said he was not aware of a new WHA. The team had no other comment.
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