Gretzky holding talks with possible investors

[HooverDam]

Gretzky holding talks with possible investors
Believes Coyotes are not going anywhere
by Jim Gintonio - Jan. 20, 2009 08:04 PM
The Arizona Republic
Wayne Gretzky said that he has had introductory conversations with some potential Coyotes investors. When asked if there was serious money involved, he responded, "Absolutely . . . I believe it's gonna be fine."

The Coyotes managing partner and coach said that like with any business in corporate America, times are tough. He said, however, that it is not a players' problem or concern, and it is not a topic in the locker room.

He called owner Jerry Moyes "a wonderful man" who is looking for partnerships and investors while staying in constant contact with the city of Glendale.

"Everybody wants the team to stay here," Gretzky said. "Mr. Moyes does, the city of Glendale does, and my personal opinion is it's gonna get rectified. It's just gonna take some time.

"The good news about it is the people who do want to get involved with this group now at least say it's a great scenario because it's a great building, the hockey team itself is gonna be strong for a long time, and the city is a great city to be part of, so at the end of the day there's nothing for the players to be concerned about."

He said announced attendances of almost 15,000 is a real positive with the economic downturn. What he does not like is people wondering if hockey is a viable sport in the Valley.

"I get upset with people who say, 'Well, can Phoenix handle a hockey team?' Yeah they can handle a hockey team. It's a good sports city. Our team has been horrible for three or four years, and we're winning more now, the people are showing up more now, and people are excited about it, and they have something to come and cheer about.

"If you're asking me my gut feeling, is this team gonna be here in September? Absolutely. The same as anything else, I can't predict what the car industry is gonna do, what your business is gonna do. I just don't have those predictions, but I feel good about the scenario, and I believe it's all gonna work out."

Well its good they're trying to make it work here. I can never seem to get into hockey since I wasn't raised with it, but I'd hate to see Jobing.com sitting empty.