I'll explain the title in a moment but I wanted to share something that I'm working on that has been rewarding in a few different ways. However the subject matter of this task isn't a good thing at the moment. Let me explain:
Last month, my beautiful niece Nikki started posting information about her 9-year-old cousin "Bubba" who was diagnosed with Stage 3 liver cancer. 9 Years Old and is being treated at the children's hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center off the US-60 and Dobson Road. I admit, it didn't really hit me until later on what that actually meant to me. I shared her information with my friends and honestly just let it be. Then one day, everything was clear to me. Good friends of mine were doing a radioathon for Phoenix Childrens Hospital, an awesome facility in central Phoenix. I was listening to my friends tell stories on the air about the kids they have met and getting emotional about it. At first I was jealous because in my 22 years of my career, I have never had a chance to do something that rewarding, that meaningful to someone I didn't even know. Then it hit me on my way home from work..I can help. By the time I got home I had a game plan in my head on what I could do to help Nikki and Bubba out. With 9 years covering sports on the side, I'd like to think I have a pretty good working relationship with all four pro sports teams here in town and Arizona State. So I told Nikki that I had an idea for a raffle or silent auction to help raise money for Bubba's family to help take care of bills, or whatever they need during his treatment. I sent emails out to everyone in hopes we can collect some things to hold a raffle. Here is a list of things I have to pick up this week:
First I have to thank the Phoenix Coyotes, and if you know me I hold these people in high regard anyway because of how they run things. They have donated an autographed picture and puck from Coyotes forward Paul Bissonnette. That happened pretty much within a hour or two of sending them an email. Next was the Arizona Diamondbacks. We are still working to finalize something with them, but are confident that we will have something pretty cool to raffle off. More later on that. Same with Arizona State, they are reviewing everything and we hope to hear back from them soon and again, things look great from them. Next was the Phoenix Suns, who have donated an autographed picture of guard Goran Dragic. Next was the Arizona Cardinals, who have donated an autographed football from this years team. All of this has come together in about a week. What an awesome response from these guys in such short time. Details on the raffle and how to buy tickets are coming soon. Stay tuned to my Facebook page or on Twitter for more information. And if you have Twitter and aren't following me, what's the deal?? haha. Follow me at @davezorn72 if you want.
I'm looking to add more raffle items, so if anyone has a business or can get us donated gift cards or stuff like that let me know.
Nikki has done a tremendous job setting up a softball event in East Mesa on Sunday, October 27th. If you are on Facebook, like Bubba's page do a search for: Team Bubba - Kicking Cancer's Butt. All his updates and information on events are on the page. If this works right, here's the info on the event.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=1428645457361697&set=a.1424149777811265.1073741831.1423692474523662&type=1&theater
On the page itself is information on a garage sale they are having on October 12th as well. Also on that page is his touching story and what he is going through right now.
If you can't go to the event or garage sale, or you don't want to buy raffle tickets, but you want to help. You can. Donations are being accepted at all Chase Bank locations. Just make a deposit to account # 2979862961 or online at www.gofundme.com/TeamBubba
All proceeds raised go right to Bubba and his family.
Now, you may ask me why am I doing this. My answer is simple and maybe a little lengthy so bare with me. Most, if not all, of you know I have a 6-year-old son Ethan. Some of you have even spent time with him. I thank God Ethan is in good shape and I don't even know how I would be if he was in Bubba's situation. I know I would appreciate the help and I know they do, they have already expressed it. Plus, after a long time not talking to each other, this has been incredible coordinating this with Nikki, which at least for me, has made us closer. I love this girl so much you all have no idea. Then again, I always have. Plus, it feels good to make a difference, as small as it is. If nothing else, I hope to teach Ethan the lesson I am learning as I go. It feels really good and rewarding and I can see myself doing this again. Thanks for reading this and if you help out, my dearest thanks from Nikki too.
Dave
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Big Things Happening
Big things are on the horizon for yours truly. If you've known me for a while, you know that football season is the busiest season of the year for me. I've challenged myself to put myself out there more from now until the end of the year. That's not an ego thing, that's a career goal thing. This time of year reignites the fire I had 22 years ago when I started in radio. It's a fire I wish I had year around, but on-air jobs are few and far between and that's why I take what I can get, when I can get it. With that said, here is what I am doing the next few months at least.
1. First and foremost is the biggest thing. I am entering my ninth season as co-host of the AIA365.com Friday Night Wrap-Up Show. We start next Friday, August 30th on AM 860, heard valleywide. I'll have online info on Twitter and Facebook when I know for sure if you can listen online. It will be myself and cohost Curt Blakeney for another season. We always have fun, some surprises and you never know when an upset will happen, especially this season. Our show will be on every Friday night from 9:30-11:30, once again on AM 860.
2, This I am pretty excited about. This is the first year I will be a part of the Tackle The Trib high school football pick em contest as a VIP. Trust me, the whole VIP thing isn't going to my head and never will. But, it's a group comprised of myself, East Valley Tribune writers, ABC 15's Craig Fouhey and a cast of characters from AIA365.com including PBP and Saturday radio show co-host Jim Grieshaber, who I plan to crush. Just kidding Jimmy...sort of. So look for my picks each week, Thursday, I think, in the East Valley Tribune or at Varsity.evtrib.com
3. This last one may be the most difficult. I've decided to start a weekly podcast. Of course it will be sports related, but putting all my thoughts on paper and how I want to go about it will take some time. It's something I've always wanted to do, I just have to sit down and plan it out. It will encompass all I do during the week, my thoughts and maybe occasional guests if the thing takes off. The possibilities are endless in my mind, I just have to get it started. Once I do, the rest is easy.
So, there's my immediate future. Either find me on radio on Friday nights, my picks in the Trib on Thursday or coming soon to a website near you, the podcast. Lots of stuff on the table, but it's time to give this thing a serious run. Hope you enjoy all of my endeavors and I appreciate the love and support I've received along the way.
Dave
1. First and foremost is the biggest thing. I am entering my ninth season as co-host of the AIA365.com Friday Night Wrap-Up Show. We start next Friday, August 30th on AM 860, heard valleywide. I'll have online info on Twitter and Facebook when I know for sure if you can listen online. It will be myself and cohost Curt Blakeney for another season. We always have fun, some surprises and you never know when an upset will happen, especially this season. Our show will be on every Friday night from 9:30-11:30, once again on AM 860.
2, This I am pretty excited about. This is the first year I will be a part of the Tackle The Trib high school football pick em contest as a VIP. Trust me, the whole VIP thing isn't going to my head and never will. But, it's a group comprised of myself, East Valley Tribune writers, ABC 15's Craig Fouhey and a cast of characters from AIA365.com including PBP and Saturday radio show co-host Jim Grieshaber, who I plan to crush. Just kidding Jimmy...sort of. So look for my picks each week, Thursday, I think, in the East Valley Tribune or at Varsity.evtrib.com
3. This last one may be the most difficult. I've decided to start a weekly podcast. Of course it will be sports related, but putting all my thoughts on paper and how I want to go about it will take some time. It's something I've always wanted to do, I just have to sit down and plan it out. It will encompass all I do during the week, my thoughts and maybe occasional guests if the thing takes off. The possibilities are endless in my mind, I just have to get it started. Once I do, the rest is easy.
So, there's my immediate future. Either find me on radio on Friday nights, my picks in the Trib on Thursday or coming soon to a website near you, the podcast. Lots of stuff on the table, but it's time to give this thing a serious run. Hope you enjoy all of my endeavors and I appreciate the love and support I've received along the way.
Dave
Sunday, August 11, 2013
No One Like Jim
Today (Sunday) we lost one of the best professionals I've come across in my 20-plus years in journalism. Former Arizona Republic Phoenix Coyotes beat writer Jim Gintonio died of cancer. I first remember Jim by reading his Media column in the Republic when I was in high school and college. As a radio guy, I wouldn't miss it. It was good fun to see who he was going to criticize next. During this run as a media critic, he got the name "Gin Tonic" by a valley personality who he wrote about on occasion. I first met Jim when I started covering the Coyotes for then Metro Networks back in 2004. He was always great to me, even though I gave him more crap then anyone in this business. Mostly because he let me do it and give it right back to me. It was never personal between he and I, it was more schoolyard picking on and I loved it. I have a few stories about Jim I'd like to share.
It's amazing the relationships Jim had with people and the players he covered. Believe it or not, former Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov loved Jim. Well, loved to pick and have fun with him. Bryz was just a different dude. Another one that liked to have fun with him was former Coyotes forward Danny Carcillo. He maybe was one of the most ruthless toward Jim. His last year with the Coyotes, he purposely stopped by the Blackhawks locker room to say hi to Danny. Carcillo was working out post game in the hallway when they saw each other. Danny tells him in mid-stretch "hey Jim..I heard you were retiring..it's about time." Jim returned with "when was the last time you played man." Carcillo was a scratch for a few games that season. I laughed after he said it and we walked back to the media center and I told him that may be the funniest thing I'd ever heard him say. Jim says "He loves me."
One thing I admired about Jim is he never wanted any attention on him, right until the end. The night the Coyotes presented him with a jersey with his name on it, signed by the team he never stopped smiling. I guess he never knew he was thought of the way the team thought of him.
Of all of the memories of Jim, this one is my favorite. If the Coyotes, or the opposing team, made him rewrite his story late in the third period this phrase came out of Jim's mouth. "Those no good rotten bastards!!" Now..that could be directed to someone on the opposing team, Bryz, the refs, or on occasion his computer. He had a love hate relationship with his work computer, mostly hate. It will be a while, if ever, until I walk into the media center at Jobing.com Arena and not hear "you no good rotten bastards" especially late in the game. That killed me..every time.
Jim was friends with everyone. We all knew him, loved him and respected the hell out of him. Not only that, travelling beat writers liked Jim too. Jim would go out of his way to update them on Coyotes stuff if they needed it.
Toward the end of is career, Jim discovered Twitter and Facebook. You never know when you would hear from Jim, but I always knew I would. Even if it was something simple like mentioning the attendance from a D'backs game, when he would chime in with "did you count them?" It was a cool avenue for Jim, one that I'm not sure he totally got a grasp of, but had fun with. As I write this the word "gintonio" is trending on Twitter in Phoenix. That's the first time Jim has been trendy. Had to take the final shot my friend.
Now for one more. One year he got an intern from ASU to help him during games. Some blonde-haired girl from Canada that lived hockey. I mean this girl came in blazing the sport. She was from Edmonton and knew what she wanted to do. Jim took her under his wing and showed her the ropes. From covering the team daily to game coverage. After a while you just saw this girl was pretty good, really good actually. So one day I asked Jim, "so, it's been a few weeks, what do you think of Sarah." He looks down, smiles and says "she's good, definitely knows the game and probably will cost me my job..(laughing)." Of course, smart ass me says "we can only hope so." Jim knew as Sarah got the gist of things around the arena and the team that when he decided to retire, or the paper decided for him, that the job of beat writer for the Coyotes was in more than capable hands. Sarah, if you are reading this, he thought the world of you and enjoyed the time with you very much.
When I say he was humble, he was. When he was diagnosed with cancer, he didn't talk about it much with a lot of us. I'd be a pest and ask him how things were with treatment and everything. He was very short with me but thanked me for asking. Last season, the Coyotes gave him passes to come to a game with his girlfriend. He told me then that he was going to stop chemo and just enjoy life. An angel came to his side in the woman in his life. I never saw him smile as much he did when he was with her. She made his final days the best of his life, I can just tell.
Finally, one thing I learned from Jim is this. He was never ego-driven, high and mighty and full of himself like some are in this profession. Jim lead by his actions and his work. He was a good writer and even better person and if I can live out my days as good as Jim did, I'm a lucky, lucky man. Good bye my friend. You were a good guy and games at Jobing.com Arena won't be the same without you around even if it was chiming in on social media. Thanks for your friendship over the years.
Dave
It's amazing the relationships Jim had with people and the players he covered. Believe it or not, former Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov loved Jim. Well, loved to pick and have fun with him. Bryz was just a different dude. Another one that liked to have fun with him was former Coyotes forward Danny Carcillo. He maybe was one of the most ruthless toward Jim. His last year with the Coyotes, he purposely stopped by the Blackhawks locker room to say hi to Danny. Carcillo was working out post game in the hallway when they saw each other. Danny tells him in mid-stretch "hey Jim..I heard you were retiring..it's about time." Jim returned with "when was the last time you played man." Carcillo was a scratch for a few games that season. I laughed after he said it and we walked back to the media center and I told him that may be the funniest thing I'd ever heard him say. Jim says "He loves me."
One thing I admired about Jim is he never wanted any attention on him, right until the end. The night the Coyotes presented him with a jersey with his name on it, signed by the team he never stopped smiling. I guess he never knew he was thought of the way the team thought of him.
Of all of the memories of Jim, this one is my favorite. If the Coyotes, or the opposing team, made him rewrite his story late in the third period this phrase came out of Jim's mouth. "Those no good rotten bastards!!" Now..that could be directed to someone on the opposing team, Bryz, the refs, or on occasion his computer. He had a love hate relationship with his work computer, mostly hate. It will be a while, if ever, until I walk into the media center at Jobing.com Arena and not hear "you no good rotten bastards" especially late in the game. That killed me..every time.
Jim was friends with everyone. We all knew him, loved him and respected the hell out of him. Not only that, travelling beat writers liked Jim too. Jim would go out of his way to update them on Coyotes stuff if they needed it.
Toward the end of is career, Jim discovered Twitter and Facebook. You never know when you would hear from Jim, but I always knew I would. Even if it was something simple like mentioning the attendance from a D'backs game, when he would chime in with "did you count them?" It was a cool avenue for Jim, one that I'm not sure he totally got a grasp of, but had fun with. As I write this the word "gintonio" is trending on Twitter in Phoenix. That's the first time Jim has been trendy. Had to take the final shot my friend.
Now for one more. One year he got an intern from ASU to help him during games. Some blonde-haired girl from Canada that lived hockey. I mean this girl came in blazing the sport. She was from Edmonton and knew what she wanted to do. Jim took her under his wing and showed her the ropes. From covering the team daily to game coverage. After a while you just saw this girl was pretty good, really good actually. So one day I asked Jim, "so, it's been a few weeks, what do you think of Sarah." He looks down, smiles and says "she's good, definitely knows the game and probably will cost me my job..(laughing)." Of course, smart ass me says "we can only hope so." Jim knew as Sarah got the gist of things around the arena and the team that when he decided to retire, or the paper decided for him, that the job of beat writer for the Coyotes was in more than capable hands. Sarah, if you are reading this, he thought the world of you and enjoyed the time with you very much.
When I say he was humble, he was. When he was diagnosed with cancer, he didn't talk about it much with a lot of us. I'd be a pest and ask him how things were with treatment and everything. He was very short with me but thanked me for asking. Last season, the Coyotes gave him passes to come to a game with his girlfriend. He told me then that he was going to stop chemo and just enjoy life. An angel came to his side in the woman in his life. I never saw him smile as much he did when he was with her. She made his final days the best of his life, I can just tell.
Finally, one thing I learned from Jim is this. He was never ego-driven, high and mighty and full of himself like some are in this profession. Jim lead by his actions and his work. He was a good writer and even better person and if I can live out my days as good as Jim did, I'm a lucky, lucky man. Good bye my friend. You were a good guy and games at Jobing.com Arena won't be the same without you around even if it was chiming in on social media. Thanks for your friendship over the years.
Dave
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Remembering Jessi
One year ago today was the longest and roughest day of my life. Up until July, 20th 2012, I thankfully never knew anyone involved in a mass shooting or major catastrophe. I guess I was naive in thinking it wouldn't happen to me and then it did. I woke up that morning and do what I always do, check my Twitter feed for the latest news and information before heading into work. What I saw I couldn't believe. My friend Jessica Ghawi (Redfield) was gunned down in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. I didn't know what to do or say at that moment. My heart sank and I lost my breath a little trying to make sense of something so senseless. All day she was the face of this shooting. CNN, Fox News, etc all started to tell her story, which in a way was comforting but was also too much to take at the same time. Let me tell you about my short time with Jessica.
Jess was just starting out, fresh out of college and so desperately wanted to be in the world of sports broadcasting. She had that drive and determination to make it and wouldn't take no for an answer. When I first was introduced to this beautiful, Texas redhead was via email. She covered the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL, that happened to be the affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes. We exchanged emails and tweets often, mostly about players coming up to Phoenix and going back down. We'd trade information on how the guys were doing, pretty much helping each other out. I think she became a Coyotes fan because of the interaction not only with me but a host of others and would have our backs during the beginnings of the ownership mess. Her and I talked a lot about that in the early stages of it. She then moved to Denver and started doing everything. Even if it was to tag along and hold a mic cord, she did it. Jess made a lot of friends in the media there and touched so many people. She is the definition of hard work pays off as she was starting to become what she always wanted to be professionally.
One event I can't shake is the fact she escaped a shooting in Toronto just months prior to the events in Aurora. I was watching it unfold in CNN when she started to tweet she was in that very same mall. I, along with others, helped her get to safety as authorities there get things under control. She was shaken, as most of us would be, by the situation and I was glad to help get her to a safe place. She later blogged about the events of that day in Toronto.
http://jessicaredfield.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/late-night-thoughts-on-the-eaton-center-shooting/
Then, a year ago overnight. She wanted to see the first showing of The Dark Night at a theater in Aurora. Some of her last Tweets before the shooting, she basically taunted everyone, ok writer Jesse Spector, that she was seeing the movie and YOU weren't. Again, fiery, lovable, funny Texas redhead that she was all the way until the end. A short time later she was gone.
Much has been made about how to avoid these terrorist-style events and there have been a couple since the Aurora tragedy. The school shooting in Connecticut and the bombing at the Boston Marathon come to mind. As with most cases, it's turned political. Too many guns, not enough guns, guns in the hands of crazy people all just words coming out of mouths. Is there a way to stop this kind of violence? I don't know. I think both sides of the issue have their points and their problems. I am pretty sure on this though, these things will continue regardless. I truly believe there is no way of stopping this, I'm sorry to say. I just hope I don't ever have to go through the emotion of losing someone in events like this again.
Jess, I miss you and think about you often. Even know I've been in this business for over 20 years now, you are still an inspiration to me and you fuel my drive to get better each and every day and I thank you for that gift.
I leave you with a smile. The video i'm posting is an interview she did while in San Antonio with Coyotes defenseman Chris Summers. Okay, it isn't an interview more than it is a gag reel of her. Heels on ice Jess, c'mon girl what did you think would happen..;)
Thanks and rest in peace my dear friend.
DZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY8l1gZTPoA
Jess was just starting out, fresh out of college and so desperately wanted to be in the world of sports broadcasting. She had that drive and determination to make it and wouldn't take no for an answer. When I first was introduced to this beautiful, Texas redhead was via email. She covered the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL, that happened to be the affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes. We exchanged emails and tweets often, mostly about players coming up to Phoenix and going back down. We'd trade information on how the guys were doing, pretty much helping each other out. I think she became a Coyotes fan because of the interaction not only with me but a host of others and would have our backs during the beginnings of the ownership mess. Her and I talked a lot about that in the early stages of it. She then moved to Denver and started doing everything. Even if it was to tag along and hold a mic cord, she did it. Jess made a lot of friends in the media there and touched so many people. She is the definition of hard work pays off as she was starting to become what she always wanted to be professionally.
One event I can't shake is the fact she escaped a shooting in Toronto just months prior to the events in Aurora. I was watching it unfold in CNN when she started to tweet she was in that very same mall. I, along with others, helped her get to safety as authorities there get things under control. She was shaken, as most of us would be, by the situation and I was glad to help get her to a safe place. She later blogged about the events of that day in Toronto.
http://jessicaredfield.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/late-night-thoughts-on-the-eaton-center-shooting/
Then, a year ago overnight. She wanted to see the first showing of The Dark Night at a theater in Aurora. Some of her last Tweets before the shooting, she basically taunted everyone, ok writer Jesse Spector, that she was seeing the movie and YOU weren't. Again, fiery, lovable, funny Texas redhead that she was all the way until the end. A short time later she was gone.
Much has been made about how to avoid these terrorist-style events and there have been a couple since the Aurora tragedy. The school shooting in Connecticut and the bombing at the Boston Marathon come to mind. As with most cases, it's turned political. Too many guns, not enough guns, guns in the hands of crazy people all just words coming out of mouths. Is there a way to stop this kind of violence? I don't know. I think both sides of the issue have their points and their problems. I am pretty sure on this though, these things will continue regardless. I truly believe there is no way of stopping this, I'm sorry to say. I just hope I don't ever have to go through the emotion of losing someone in events like this again.
Jess, I miss you and think about you often. Even know I've been in this business for over 20 years now, you are still an inspiration to me and you fuel my drive to get better each and every day and I thank you for that gift.
I leave you with a smile. The video i'm posting is an interview she did while in San Antonio with Coyotes defenseman Chris Summers. Okay, it isn't an interview more than it is a gag reel of her. Heels on ice Jess, c'mon girl what did you think would happen..;)
Thanks and rest in peace my dear friend.
DZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY8l1gZTPoA
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
It's Over!!!!!
I couldn't have picked a perfect time to do a new blog than the day after the Phoenix Coyotes have new owners. Members of IceArizona Inc., consisting of very smart, shrewd businessmen, is in the final processes of finalizing a deal with the City of Glendale for a lease agreement for Jobing.com Arena. By the end of July, or 1st of August, they will get the keys to the Coyotes and Jobing. So, how did we get here. I'll try to be short.
Over four years ago, the Coyotes were put into bankruptcy by local businessman Jerry Moyes, as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was en route to Phoenix. Bettman was trying to finish a deal so the team would be owned by Jerry Reinsdorf. When Moyes got wind of it, he put it into bankruptcy so his Canadian buddy, then Blackberry CEO Jim Ballsilie could buy it out of bankruptcy. Bettman was ticked off. Ballsilie has tried to push his way into ownership for years, which upsets the NHL. So, Bettman instructed the league to buy the team. Four years later they still do.
First prospective owner was Matthew Hulsizer. He crafted a deal with the City of Glendale to buy the team and the city would sell bonds to provide 100-million dollars to Hulsizer. The city agreed to do it, BUT..then in stepped Goldwater Institute, a political action group..kinda. They threatened to sue, which changed the interest rate on the bonds. They did enough damage to where the deal collapsed. Out goes Hulsizer. Next:
Up steps Greg Jamison, a guy who understands hockey and had success in San Jose with the Sharks. This attempt at buying the team had so many changes it was amazing. Investors in, investors out. This story changed so much it almost was a different angle daily. It even got me sucked into it. How, you ask, well I'll tell you. Somehow, someway I acquired a reliable source within the Jamison Group. I also had a reliable source within the group that was going to manage the arena. One night in Feb. 2012, both sources came together and I had a chance to break a story, but little did I know how far that would go. To see the result, Google: "Dave Zorn Coyotes" and read the fun. I flipped out. Within an hour of sending a "tweet" out claiming the deal was about finished, I got 5 radio interview requests. I was overwhelmed. Thanks to many people I know in this business, talking me down from the ledge, I refocused and continued on. Unfortunately for me, the deal fell through and I became a marked man in Winnipeg and Quebec City. More on that later. We fast forward to the end. Jamison, like Hulsizer, got the votes on a lease agreement with the City of Glendale and Coyotes fans thought it was done. No Goldwalter, no cheap attempt at a referendum. Done, right? Well, not so much. Jamison failed to come to an agreement with the NHL to buy the team and we are back to square one...again. Next:
Reenter Ice Edge Holdings, Anthony LeBlanc, Darryl Jones and a few others as they created Renaissance Sports and Entertainment. The Ice Edge boys tried unsuccessfully to buy the Coyotes back in round one, but stuck around. In a short time, they reached an agreement with the NHL, and it was on to Glendale for a lease agreement. This CoG council is new and claimed it will be tougher a third time around with any group. After a load of politics and other BS, the council passed the agreement and now IceArizona wins.
Where do we stand now? All of the work is done for IceArizona to take over the franchise in early August. Glendale resident, and water bill enthusiast, Ken Jones has taken out a petition for a referendum on the lease agreement. Mr. Jones is in bad health, in his 80s and failed miserably the last go around. This won't go well for Mr. Jones. The Goldwater Institute has been quoted as saying they are "watching the deal very closely" but not a peep from them. IceArizona attorney, former Arizona attorney general Grant Woods has sent a message to GWI to basically, bring it. My educated guess is Goldwater won't touch this. The main concern to regular folk is a clause in the lease agreement to where IceArizona can get out of the agreement after five years of the 15-year lease. However, the clause kicks into effect ONLY if the group loses 50-million dollars total in the five years. LeBlanc took to valley airwaves to clear up that issue. He told Fox Sports 910 this afternoon that it's very unlikely that will kick into play. He said all of their income projections were low. He said they took the worst year moneywise for the Coyotes and made their calculations. He then dropped the bomb. LeBlanc said if they had taken 2011-12 season numbers, where the Coyotes reached the Western Conference Finals, the City of Glendale would have profited with the revenue streams that are coming back to them in this agreement. Pretty cool right?
Is there speculation they could move after five years? Sure. But I have a feeling it won't matter in five years. This group is highly-motivated to make this work. However, it's on the fans now. There are no more excuses to why hockey is perceived to not work here. It's time to up the attendance and show the haters this market can thrive for the awesome sport of hockey.
So here we are. Fans of the Coyotes are more than thrilled this nightmare is over. I will say this. Coyotes fans are the most passionate fans of a team in the valley. That's no slight on the other fanbases, but no fanbase in north America has had to endure the badgering, insults, attacks and just childish behavior like Coyotes fans have. I have endured them as well. If you remember, I was a target of some people from Winnipeg and Quebec City. Most of the insults I could take, but some found pictures of me and family and chose to make it personal. I had Twitter investigate it and if the guy even breathes he is banned. That has helped. This is the lengths some people have gone to come after me. But, I'm a big guy, I can handle it.
So..as I wrap this up, I want to thank many people who I have met and have developed friendships through this journey. There are way too many to mention, but if we have talked a few times, shared stories and had a few beverages over the Coyotes I am talking about you. Here is to the future of the soon-to-be Arizona Coyotes and that's good for everyone.
Dave
Over four years ago, the Coyotes were put into bankruptcy by local businessman Jerry Moyes, as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was en route to Phoenix. Bettman was trying to finish a deal so the team would be owned by Jerry Reinsdorf. When Moyes got wind of it, he put it into bankruptcy so his Canadian buddy, then Blackberry CEO Jim Ballsilie could buy it out of bankruptcy. Bettman was ticked off. Ballsilie has tried to push his way into ownership for years, which upsets the NHL. So, Bettman instructed the league to buy the team. Four years later they still do.
First prospective owner was Matthew Hulsizer. He crafted a deal with the City of Glendale to buy the team and the city would sell bonds to provide 100-million dollars to Hulsizer. The city agreed to do it, BUT..then in stepped Goldwater Institute, a political action group..kinda. They threatened to sue, which changed the interest rate on the bonds. They did enough damage to where the deal collapsed. Out goes Hulsizer. Next:
Up steps Greg Jamison, a guy who understands hockey and had success in San Jose with the Sharks. This attempt at buying the team had so many changes it was amazing. Investors in, investors out. This story changed so much it almost was a different angle daily. It even got me sucked into it. How, you ask, well I'll tell you. Somehow, someway I acquired a reliable source within the Jamison Group. I also had a reliable source within the group that was going to manage the arena. One night in Feb. 2012, both sources came together and I had a chance to break a story, but little did I know how far that would go. To see the result, Google: "Dave Zorn Coyotes" and read the fun. I flipped out. Within an hour of sending a "tweet" out claiming the deal was about finished, I got 5 radio interview requests. I was overwhelmed. Thanks to many people I know in this business, talking me down from the ledge, I refocused and continued on. Unfortunately for me, the deal fell through and I became a marked man in Winnipeg and Quebec City. More on that later. We fast forward to the end. Jamison, like Hulsizer, got the votes on a lease agreement with the City of Glendale and Coyotes fans thought it was done. No Goldwalter, no cheap attempt at a referendum. Done, right? Well, not so much. Jamison failed to come to an agreement with the NHL to buy the team and we are back to square one...again. Next:
Reenter Ice Edge Holdings, Anthony LeBlanc, Darryl Jones and a few others as they created Renaissance Sports and Entertainment. The Ice Edge boys tried unsuccessfully to buy the Coyotes back in round one, but stuck around. In a short time, they reached an agreement with the NHL, and it was on to Glendale for a lease agreement. This CoG council is new and claimed it will be tougher a third time around with any group. After a load of politics and other BS, the council passed the agreement and now IceArizona wins.
Where do we stand now? All of the work is done for IceArizona to take over the franchise in early August. Glendale resident, and water bill enthusiast, Ken Jones has taken out a petition for a referendum on the lease agreement. Mr. Jones is in bad health, in his 80s and failed miserably the last go around. This won't go well for Mr. Jones. The Goldwater Institute has been quoted as saying they are "watching the deal very closely" but not a peep from them. IceArizona attorney, former Arizona attorney general Grant Woods has sent a message to GWI to basically, bring it. My educated guess is Goldwater won't touch this. The main concern to regular folk is a clause in the lease agreement to where IceArizona can get out of the agreement after five years of the 15-year lease. However, the clause kicks into effect ONLY if the group loses 50-million dollars total in the five years. LeBlanc took to valley airwaves to clear up that issue. He told Fox Sports 910 this afternoon that it's very unlikely that will kick into play. He said all of their income projections were low. He said they took the worst year moneywise for the Coyotes and made their calculations. He then dropped the bomb. LeBlanc said if they had taken 2011-12 season numbers, where the Coyotes reached the Western Conference Finals, the City of Glendale would have profited with the revenue streams that are coming back to them in this agreement. Pretty cool right?
Is there speculation they could move after five years? Sure. But I have a feeling it won't matter in five years. This group is highly-motivated to make this work. However, it's on the fans now. There are no more excuses to why hockey is perceived to not work here. It's time to up the attendance and show the haters this market can thrive for the awesome sport of hockey.
So here we are. Fans of the Coyotes are more than thrilled this nightmare is over. I will say this. Coyotes fans are the most passionate fans of a team in the valley. That's no slight on the other fanbases, but no fanbase in north America has had to endure the badgering, insults, attacks and just childish behavior like Coyotes fans have. I have endured them as well. If you remember, I was a target of some people from Winnipeg and Quebec City. Most of the insults I could take, but some found pictures of me and family and chose to make it personal. I had Twitter investigate it and if the guy even breathes he is banned. That has helped. This is the lengths some people have gone to come after me. But, I'm a big guy, I can handle it.
So..as I wrap this up, I want to thank many people who I have met and have developed friendships through this journey. There are way too many to mention, but if we have talked a few times, shared stories and had a few beverages over the Coyotes I am talking about you. Here is to the future of the soon-to-be Arizona Coyotes and that's good for everyone.
Dave
Friday, May 17, 2013
State Of Arizona Sports May 2013
I haven't written a blog in a while and since I had some time, I thought I would put together my "State of Arizona Sports - May Edition."
Let's start with the only team playing right now, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Currently the "snakes" are five games above .500, 23-18 and one game out of the NL West lead at the quarter pole, or 41 games into the season. With the bullpen blowing 11 saves, Aaron Hill sidelined and the starting pitching dicey to begin the season, I would say this is a pretty good start for Arizona's baseball team. Some of the bright spots are their young players. Pitcher Patrick Corbin has been outstanding and would be an All-Star right now. He has been, by far, the best starting pitcher in the rotation at this point. Ian Kennedy is starting to come around and Trevor Cahill has been solid. If Wade Miley and Brandon McCarthy get their act together, the pitching staff should be solid down the stretch. Shortstop Didi Gregorius has also been lights out since being recalled from Triple-A Reno. There is no questioning his defense, one of the best in the league already. The knock on him was his bat, which hasn't been a problem since coming up. He's batting in the .340s and has hit safely in the majority of the games he's played in. Then there's Paul Goldschmidt. Just an awesome start. Should be an All-Star candidate and maybe even an MVP thought. There is a lot more games yet to be played, but fans have to be happy about the start to the season.
Let's move to the Phoenix Coyotes. The words "two weeks" have never pinched a nerve in sports fans more than it has with the Coyotes fan base. As of this writing, there is one group that has placed a bid to purchase the team and that is Renaissance Sports and Entertainment, made up partially of investors tied in with Ice Edge and Canadian millionaire George Gosbee. Darin Pastor submitted a bid to buy the team, with his own money, and was quickly rejected by the NHL. That group is trying to resubmit its bid, but for some reason the NHL hasn't returned their calls. The names Greg Jamison, Matthew Hulziser and Jerry Reinsdorf are still popping up in regards to this situation, but none have submitted bids to my knowledge. One this is certain, both the NHL, City of Glendale and fans want a conclusion to this four-year nightmare. It looks like everyone in play should get an answer before July 1st.
Now to the Arizona Cardinals. They are coming off a very nice draft, very surgical in nature. I also like the signing of free-agent linebacker Karlos Dansby, who makes his return to the Red Birds. This adds a very important piece to the defense, especially with Darrell Washington's four-game suspension and possibly more thanks to a current legal matter. So far, so good with the new coaching staff and management. Talk is cheap though. Let's see what happens in the preseason and more importantly, the regular season. So far, I love what I see out of Tempe.
The Suns: Well, their first move of the rebuilding effort is a good one. Ryan McDonough is bringing hard work, dedication and a wealth of knowledge to him as he takes the reigns of the Suns GM job. Now he has to find a coach. I haven't been shy about who I want to see as the next head coach of the Suns. Look no further than San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer. Mike is a native-Arizonan who has learned the tricks of the trade from one of the best coaches in basketball in Gregg Popovich. Mike grew up in basketball, watching his dad win a lot of games at the high school and college level. Personally, I've known the guy since high school. He grew up in Holbrook and I lived there for a year. We have many of the same friends and know the same people. It would make my job a lot easier. But I also agree he would be the perfect fit for what the Suns want to do. We will see what happens.
I don't want to leave out the Rattlers playing championship football right now and the Mercury, who maybe getting more buzz than ever with the drafting of Brittney Griner, which should put more butts in the seats at U.S. Airways Center, maybe even me.
Football is right around the corner, which means a big season coming up for Arizona State and what will be the most talented high school class Arizona football has seen in a long, long time. More on that on the next blog.
DZ
Let's start with the only team playing right now, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Currently the "snakes" are five games above .500, 23-18 and one game out of the NL West lead at the quarter pole, or 41 games into the season. With the bullpen blowing 11 saves, Aaron Hill sidelined and the starting pitching dicey to begin the season, I would say this is a pretty good start for Arizona's baseball team. Some of the bright spots are their young players. Pitcher Patrick Corbin has been outstanding and would be an All-Star right now. He has been, by far, the best starting pitcher in the rotation at this point. Ian Kennedy is starting to come around and Trevor Cahill has been solid. If Wade Miley and Brandon McCarthy get their act together, the pitching staff should be solid down the stretch. Shortstop Didi Gregorius has also been lights out since being recalled from Triple-A Reno. There is no questioning his defense, one of the best in the league already. The knock on him was his bat, which hasn't been a problem since coming up. He's batting in the .340s and has hit safely in the majority of the games he's played in. Then there's Paul Goldschmidt. Just an awesome start. Should be an All-Star candidate and maybe even an MVP thought. There is a lot more games yet to be played, but fans have to be happy about the start to the season.
Let's move to the Phoenix Coyotes. The words "two weeks" have never pinched a nerve in sports fans more than it has with the Coyotes fan base. As of this writing, there is one group that has placed a bid to purchase the team and that is Renaissance Sports and Entertainment, made up partially of investors tied in with Ice Edge and Canadian millionaire George Gosbee. Darin Pastor submitted a bid to buy the team, with his own money, and was quickly rejected by the NHL. That group is trying to resubmit its bid, but for some reason the NHL hasn't returned their calls. The names Greg Jamison, Matthew Hulziser and Jerry Reinsdorf are still popping up in regards to this situation, but none have submitted bids to my knowledge. One this is certain, both the NHL, City of Glendale and fans want a conclusion to this four-year nightmare. It looks like everyone in play should get an answer before July 1st.
Now to the Arizona Cardinals. They are coming off a very nice draft, very surgical in nature. I also like the signing of free-agent linebacker Karlos Dansby, who makes his return to the Red Birds. This adds a very important piece to the defense, especially with Darrell Washington's four-game suspension and possibly more thanks to a current legal matter. So far, so good with the new coaching staff and management. Talk is cheap though. Let's see what happens in the preseason and more importantly, the regular season. So far, I love what I see out of Tempe.
The Suns: Well, their first move of the rebuilding effort is a good one. Ryan McDonough is bringing hard work, dedication and a wealth of knowledge to him as he takes the reigns of the Suns GM job. Now he has to find a coach. I haven't been shy about who I want to see as the next head coach of the Suns. Look no further than San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer. Mike is a native-Arizonan who has learned the tricks of the trade from one of the best coaches in basketball in Gregg Popovich. Mike grew up in basketball, watching his dad win a lot of games at the high school and college level. Personally, I've known the guy since high school. He grew up in Holbrook and I lived there for a year. We have many of the same friends and know the same people. It would make my job a lot easier. But I also agree he would be the perfect fit for what the Suns want to do. We will see what happens.
I don't want to leave out the Rattlers playing championship football right now and the Mercury, who maybe getting more buzz than ever with the drafting of Brittney Griner, which should put more butts in the seats at U.S. Airways Center, maybe even me.
Football is right around the corner, which means a big season coming up for Arizona State and what will be the most talented high school class Arizona football has seen in a long, long time. More on that on the next blog.
DZ
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Just My Update This Time
I sat here thinking I really haven't done a "me" update in quite some time. So, here it goes.
I'm proud to say I have lost 50 pounds since starting my new regiment back in October. Thanks to the holidays getting in the way and knocking me off kilter, it could be more. That happens to the best of us I suppose.
Now the God-honest truth. Over recklessness, not caring and a bunch of other things, I literally ballooned to 364 pounds just before my 40th birthday. My plan then was to look into gastro surgery. I had a bunch of tests done and found a couple of surprises. I found that I have a blockage in a secondary artery on my heart, but my cardiologist says it's fine and if there was a place to have a blockage, that's it. Otherwords, it's not going to do anything to me in the long run. However, that was the scare I needed. I decided pretty much right then that I would get back into the gym, get a personal trainer and give the gym another try before opting for surgery. One of the best decisions I've ever made. Thanks to the awesome people at Mountainside Fitness, especially my original trainer Jerry, who set my diet up, and my current trainer Josh who busts my ass every time I see him. At last weigh-in I'm at 314. Still big, but shrinking. My plan is to get down, eventually, to 245-250 and see where I am then. The best part of this is I learned about what I was doing in and out of the gym. I've never been stronger and I haven't been this size in about 10 years at least. My health issues are always going to be there, no thanks to my previous lifestyle. But taking the steps I have, have put years back on my life. Like I said, I still have a lot of work to go, but I also know it's a marathon and not a sprint. I'm going to enjoy every step of the process. Thanks to my family and friends who have supported me along the way.
That's all I have for now. When there is more news on this front, I'll be sure to let everyone know. Thanks. :)
Dave
I'm proud to say I have lost 50 pounds since starting my new regiment back in October. Thanks to the holidays getting in the way and knocking me off kilter, it could be more. That happens to the best of us I suppose.
Now the God-honest truth. Over recklessness, not caring and a bunch of other things, I literally ballooned to 364 pounds just before my 40th birthday. My plan then was to look into gastro surgery. I had a bunch of tests done and found a couple of surprises. I found that I have a blockage in a secondary artery on my heart, but my cardiologist says it's fine and if there was a place to have a blockage, that's it. Otherwords, it's not going to do anything to me in the long run. However, that was the scare I needed. I decided pretty much right then that I would get back into the gym, get a personal trainer and give the gym another try before opting for surgery. One of the best decisions I've ever made. Thanks to the awesome people at Mountainside Fitness, especially my original trainer Jerry, who set my diet up, and my current trainer Josh who busts my ass every time I see him. At last weigh-in I'm at 314. Still big, but shrinking. My plan is to get down, eventually, to 245-250 and see where I am then. The best part of this is I learned about what I was doing in and out of the gym. I've never been stronger and I haven't been this size in about 10 years at least. My health issues are always going to be there, no thanks to my previous lifestyle. But taking the steps I have, have put years back on my life. Like I said, I still have a lot of work to go, but I also know it's a marathon and not a sprint. I'm going to enjoy every step of the process. Thanks to my family and friends who have supported me along the way.
That's all I have for now. When there is more news on this front, I'll be sure to let everyone know. Thanks. :)
Dave
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