Many thanks, everyone
My brain is melting right now, and instead of running the risk of doing something dumb in my delirium and, say, libeling someone (if I haven't already, of course), I'm going to call it a night.
However, I PROMISE to have a lot of stuff written and ready for your consideration by 8 a.m. Friday morning. I just have so much swimming in my head right now, and I'm guessing I'm not the only one. There are some big questions that need to be asked and answered, and I want to make sure I have my ducks in a row (and my brain thinking clearly) before I tackle them.
I just want to say thank you to everyone who's been reading this blog -- I've had a pretty big jump in hits, and I'm extremely grateful that you all take the time to read my rantings.
However, just a quick thought ... I am VERY intrigued by the comment a reader left about Donner's ex-wife needing to sign off on any sale of the Amerks. If that's the reason Donner is holding out on Golisano, that is, well, it's huge. Whoever posted that comment, do you know how to contact Donner's ex-wife? If so, could you e-mail me at rwhirty218@yahoo.com or call me at (315) 690-6551? Your e-mail address and any content in the e-mail will be absolutely confidential and off the record.
And actually, that goes for ANYONE who calls or e-mails me with tips or ideas. Your initial contact will be confidential and off the record.
Take care, folks, and thanks again.
Ryan
However, I PROMISE to have a lot of stuff written and ready for your consideration by 8 a.m. Friday morning. I just have so much swimming in my head right now, and I'm guessing I'm not the only one. There are some big questions that need to be asked and answered, and I want to make sure I have my ducks in a row (and my brain thinking clearly) before I tackle them.
I just want to say thank you to everyone who's been reading this blog -- I've had a pretty big jump in hits, and I'm extremely grateful that you all take the time to read my rantings.
However, just a quick thought ... I am VERY intrigued by the comment a reader left about Donner's ex-wife needing to sign off on any sale of the Amerks. If that's the reason Donner is holding out on Golisano, that is, well, it's huge. Whoever posted that comment, do you know how to contact Donner's ex-wife? If so, could you e-mail me at rwhirty218@yahoo.com or call me at (315) 690-6551? Your e-mail address and any content in the e-mail will be absolutely confidential and off the record.
And actually, that goes for ANYONE who calls or e-mails me with tips or ideas. Your initial contact will be confidential and off the record.
Take care, folks, and thanks again.
Ryan
posted by Ryan Whirty at
8:52 PM
4 Comments:
Hi Ryan. I just read through some of the recent posts and I wanted to let you know that it appears there is a second anonymous poster! I have no idea about any of the details regarding Donner's wife.
By
Anonymous, at 9:20 AM
hey it's better than some of the drivel the D&C or local news puts out...nice to see someone has the balls to report responsibly. i can only speculate about the issue with Donner's wife in that: while married he used his money to do X,Y,Z and after a divorce depending on the terms the spouse is entitled to half. so that whatever donner owns she may own half of donner's share or something to that effect. that's just speculation, not fact i have no inside knowledge
By
Anonymous, at 10:51 AM
I have been a season ticket holder for over 30 years and the talk about Donner and his ex wife is true and has been talked about for years at the games and even was brought up on the rochester sports fan message board. He burned her a few years ago and turnaround is fair play in her eyes so the saying goes.
By
Anonymous, at 12:42 PM
If you missed the radio interviews with Donner and Quinn of WHTK they are must hear! Go to WHTK.com
Click on podcasts then go down the list and you will find both of them.
WOW! Try to figure out who is telling the truth. I guess for starters I would ask to see and then post (with permission) the letters that Larry Quinn stated were sent to Donner.
I found it interesting that Donner was bold enough to say he had not received any contact about selling "in any way, shape or form". Be interesting to see how those two perspectives are reconciled.
Next, about the "investors" Donner referenced and what it would do ... interesting that he claims that person would be a co-owner, and it would be to (implied) buy out Latona's share (20%) and I am assuming that also means paying him the 2 plus million he is owed. OK, what about the other partner in that same suit, Turek? will he also be bought out?
Lets assume that gives Donner "a clean slate" as far as the law suits are concerned and the money he owes those two; will the new investor(s) also come up with the money owed to the city? More importantly will that make a difference so the city will be willing to negotiate a new lease and will a NHL affiliate then step forward to work with Donner and provide the competitive team he seems to want for Rochester.
Regarding Larry Quinn's comments: IF it is true that Donner is only obligated to Buffalo in the current agreement for $200,000 per year for players and the Sabers are paying for the coaches and staff, how can Donner claim it is a bad deal when Quinn cited other AHL teams paying parent clubs $600,00 to $700,000 per year. Even if Donner is paying Florida $200,000 for there players he is still $200,000 to $300,000 to the good in this deal!
The fine print for expenses like travel, lodging, meals, equipment,etc may be the place that is different in some of the deal but no one went into those details. to make a comparison of the working agreements between AHL and NHL teams would take some work. (Ready for that one Ryan?)
Quinn was clear that the sabers felt it freed up money for Donner to pay for the veterans he claims are so important himself! Which, I remind everyone, was the original purpose of the Rhinos and K-Hawks ... to provide extra revenue to pay for players for the Amerks ... like the Jody Gage years ago. It is obvious that business model has changed but Donner has failed to adjust (except to point the finger at Buffalo .. as Larry Quinn pointed out ... "We are getting a little tired of it ...").
On that note I also found Larry Quinn's comments about "veterans" interesting with reference to the new player contracts and that the veterans are now going to Europe. Maybe we as fans are not being told by either the media/press how the players agreement has changed that AND Donner is being less than honest by not taking time to explain that to the fans. Donner acted pretty much for his part in the discussion of veterans like NOTHING HAS CHANGED!
Last point of NEW information from the Quinn interview: that the Sabers/Golisano forgave a $500,000 debt the Amerks had when he took over.
How many clean slates and refinancing does Donner need?
On the Amerk side of the ledger my ballpark accounting tells me Donner was short about$4 million. Who knows what the actual amount is for the RSG? Remember that the city also forgave a loan prior to this last lease (at least I seem to remember that being reported at pone point). With those two obligations forgiven, that is also near another million plus that is not even being talked about on top of the current debt.
How can Donner just glibly say, "...it is all reasonable, managed debt that has accumulated over the last 10 to 12 years ..."
Last point, does anyone have any idea what revenue the Amerks, K-Hawks, Rhinos and Rattlers (RSG) make from the time Warner channel 26 set up? I will never believe it is done for the public good and the teams aren't getting something.
How does our deal with the city compare with places in New York state like Syracuse, Binghamton and Albany? Donner claims ours is the worst in the state, is it true?
If you can check those things out Ryan you will be running ragged but again, I don't think the paid news media will investigate it and report on it.
By
Anonymous, at 2:35 PM
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