Mysticks Move to Gwinnett, GA
May 1, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Mobile Mysticks News Release
Mobile Professional Sports, L.C.C. announced today its partnership with National Sports Services of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Topeka, Kansas. This new partnership has also announced that an agreement has been reached with the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc. to relocate the Mobile Mysticks East Coast Hockey League Franchise to Gwinnett County, Georgia for the 2003-2004 season.
The NSS & Mobile Professional Sports partnership has created and will operate under the name of Gwinnett County Hockey, LLC. Mobile Professional Sports will retain a majority interest in their ECHL membership, while having the option of selling up to 40% of the franchise to local investors in the Gwinnett area.
Mobile Professional Sports explored many options in the past, before and after announcing the franchise would suspend operations following the 2002 season. In addition to looking into reorganizing for the 2003-2004 season in Mobile, representatives from numerous cities contacted Mobile Professional Sports about the possibilities of relocating the franchise. Gwinnett offered a unique pro-active opportunity and became MPS's best option.
"When we looked into the possibility of creating a partnership with NSS, it created the best of both worlds," said Co-Owner Toby Jeffreys. "We combined their experience in minor league professional sports with our personal relationships and credibility in the ECHL. In regards to Gwinnett County, Mobile was the organization recommended by the league and the membership of choice. The final result was a win-win situation for Gwinnett."
The membership will call the Gwinnett Civic and Culture Center home. The new state-of-the-art, multi-purpose arena is scheduled to be completed by the Spring of 2003 and is in the second phase of the master plan. The arena will offer 38 luxury suites with an 11,200 seating capacity and numerous amenities. The complex consists of a 700-seat theater in the Performing Arts Center, adjacent to the Convention Center, which contains eleven meeting rooms, a 6,000 square foot Ballroom, and a 50,000-square foot Exhibit Hall.
Gwinnett County, with a population of 600,000, leads Georgia in population growth and boasts more than three million people with diverse and demanding interests in arts and entertainment that live within a half-hour of the arena. Fifteen cities and towns comprise the Peachtree Corners Community of Gwinnett County, which is home to over 700 manufacturing, 500 high-tech and 247 international companies.
Quotes & Comments on the Move
Statement and insights regarding relocation to Gwinnett, Georgia from Mobile Professional Sports Owners
Toby Jeffreys on moving the team from Mobile:
Regretfully, at this particular time, we have exhausted our efforts in the Mobile market. Our ownership group simply could not continue to participate in Mobile at the current levels of support and without a substantial increase in capital from ticket sales, corporate support and additional partnership opportunities. From an emotional standpoint, this is not what we intended to have happen, but emotion does not pay the bills. Having lived in Mobile for over forty years, this announcement is tough, personally, as a fan and especially for our hard core base of fans, I thank them for their loyal support. Looking back, perhaps Dr. Margenau's foresight was greater than we gave him credit for, but our decision to buy the Mysticks and this experience is one we would not trade anything for. Life gives you opportunities and God opens doors, we gave it our best effort and must now move forward. I personally feel blessed to have been given the initial opportunity in Mobile. Perhaps we will have another opportunity to participate in the great game of hockey, in some manner, in Mobile, in the future
Steve Chapman on the partnership with NSS:
I have known and worked with Bill Davidson over the years. I received a call from NSS surrounding the situation in Mobile and their interest in creating a new partnership for our ECHL membership. I told NSS that I would approach the owners about the possibilities. I knew it would be difficult to approach them (the owners), as dedicated and as deep as their roots are in the Mobile community and that it would be a hard decision for them to make, but a business decision none the less.
Toby Jeffreys on the partnership with NSS:
I had the opportunity to meet Bill Davidson several years ago, and was impressed with his knowledge and experience in minor league sports. We presented a proposal request to Gwinnett, which went well, but we did not immediately hear from them, but we thought we had a chance. Chappy's initial presentation impressed Gwinnetts' Board of Directors enough to put us in a neck-and-neck situation with NSS. Chappy has been in the ECHL for over ten years and I do not think Mobile understands the expertise and respect this young man has, not only in the league, but also in professional hockey. The situation for a partnership presented itself, and the deal was done.
Toby Jeffreys on moving the team to Gwinnett:
We were their choice. They could have gone after anyone, but with NSS's knowledge of the challenges in the Mobile market, combined with our personal relationships and credibility in the ECHL, we were the organization that was recommended by the league and the membership of choice.
Toby Jeffreys on what Gwinnett offers Mobile Professional Sports:
Gwinnett presents a whole new challenge with our ECHL membership. NSS brings depth and national experience to a new market, and provides additional possibilities for our staff. The potential for additional investment partners and immediate increase in capital is extremely solid. The upside opportunity to recoup some of the revenues we have lost in the Mobile market is a plus, and to be able to go into a brand new, 11,200 seat arena that is completely paid for, speaks very highly of the citizens and proactive leadership of Gwinnett County.
Toby Jeffreys on how the opportunity presented itself:
We had begun looking at our options (increasing revenue) after our second year. The rumors of folding the team or moving were beginning and we were not obtaining the results we though we could achieve in Mobile. As we entered our third year, we challenged Mobile with "Are You Fan Enough?" which led into our "Make A Great Save" season ticket campaign, and as the economy made a downturn, so did attendance. Experience has taught us that you focus on what you can control, conduct business as usual, and give the opportunities time to develop one way or the other. You don't get discouraged or excited until the ink has a chance to dry. We're thankful this partnership and opportunity solidified itself.
ECHL Stories from May 1, 2002
- Appearance Scheduled for Tudor Spring Carnival - Alaska Aces
- Greenville Grrrowl Urge Fans To Get Cup "Cheesy" - Greenville Grrrowl
- Greenville Grrrowl Announce Kelly Cup Finals Schedule - Greenville Grrrowl
- Falcons Celebrate Bulldogs Women's Basketball - Fresno Falcons
- Kelly Cup Finals Begin Friday - ECHL
- Mysticks Move to Gwinnett, GA - Mobile Mysticks
- Bombers Tickets on Sale for Kelly Cup Finals - Dayton Bombers
- Bombers Face Grrrowl for Cup - Dayton Bombers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
