Edmonton Investors Group
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The Edmonton Investors Group Limited Partnership (EIGLP) was the limited partnership that owned the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League. With more than thirty individual shareholders, EIGLP was the largest ownership group in the NHL. Among the four North American major sports leagues, only the Green Bay Packers have a larger ownership group.[citation needed]
The EIG were the key players for keeping the Edmonton Oilers in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada long term by purchasing the team from then-owner Peter Pocklington for C$107 million ($166 million in 2021 Canadian dollars[1]) and preventing the team from being moved by being purchased for US$90 million ($168 million in 2023 American dollars[2]) or C$127 million ($197 million in 2021 Canadian dollars[1]).
History
Pre-Edmonton Investors Group
In the mid-1990s,
This animosity hindered a 1996 season ticket drive that was needed to keep the team in Edmonton. It was largely due to the perseverance of future EIG partner Cal Nichols, that the Friends of the Oilers ticket drive ultimately expanded the season ticket base from a dismal 6,200 to over 13,400, enough to secure the team's future for the short term. However, it was increasingly obvious that Pocklington would not be around for the long term. In early 1997, Pocklington announced his intention to sell up to 45% of the team on the stock market. Pressure from ATB forced him to abandon this plan and put the team up for sale.
When the Oilers were put up for sale, many doubted whether a local ownership could be found and believed the proud franchise would be re-located to an American city as had happened with the teams in
However, the terms of Pocklington's
Cal Nichols looks for investors
Nichols, a prominent businessman in his own right, immediately began putting together an ownership group. At the time, the Albertan economy—driven by the
The Oilers' sale attracted interest in from several American cities, and as Nichols was assembling a group of local investors, an offer of US$85 million (C$120 million) came from Leslie Alexander, a Houston-based businessman and an owner of the National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets. Houston, whose application for an expansion team rejected by the league, was (and still is) the largest U.S. city without an NHL franchise. Alexander's original offer was to keep the team in Edmonton on the condition that the lease be terminated, attendance remained at acceptable levels, a local ownership group was eventually found and an expansion team be granted to Alexander in Houston. The Edmonton City Council rejected these terms, believing they gave Alexander too much discretion to move the Oilers to Texas. The city believed the lease they negotiated with Pocklington was still the best chance they had of keeping the team in Edmonton in the long term. Alexander then offered the ATB (which had the team in receivership by then) US$85 million (C$120 million) to purchase the team and move it to Houston, and submitted a US$5 million (C$7 million) deposit. Nichols was given until March 13, 1998 to match the deposit and commit to purchasing the team for US$70 million (C$100 million), or the lease would be automatically terminated and the team would move.
Nichols was eventually able to assemble a group of 38 local investors. As the deadline neared, the Edmonton Investors Group (EIG) decided to commit to the purchase by matching Alexander's deposit with a down payment of US$5 million (C$7 million). The remainder of the US$70 million (C$100 million) was paid to ATB 40 days later. On May 5, 1998, the NHL approved the sale and the EIG officially become the NHL owners. Although major sporting leagues generally frown upon large ownership groups controlling franchises, the NHL decided to forego putting a team in Houston and allow the Oilers' sale to EIG to proceed as they did not want to lose any more Canadian teams – this would have put their lucrative Canadian television contracts in jeopardy.
The Edmonton Investors Group Ltd. is mainly a local ownership group, but includes a few business people from outside the city as well. The Oilers sale even drew interest from Calgary-born comic book creator
The Oilers' new owners have maintained good relations with fans. As a result, fans in Edmonton backed the league-imposed lockout of 2004–05, which wiped out an entire season, and came back after the lockout was settled. In the 2005–06 NHL season, the Oilers sold out every home game except one, where a computer glitch prevented the release of several hundred tickets.
Following a successful 2005–06 season which saw the Oilers fall one win short of winning the Stanley Cup and a boom in the Albertan economy, fan support reached its highest levels. A waiting list for season ticket buyers, unheard of during the days of Pocklington's ownership, was put in place after the owners were compelled to cap the number of season tickets sold. The team has also announced that a lottery will be held for the right to purchase multi-game packages at Rexall Place.
Daryl Katz purchase offers and sale
In the 2006–07 NHL season the Oilers sold out every home game for the first time, despite missing the playoffs by a substantial margin. The ownership group then reportedly received a C$145 million ($184 million in 2021 dollars[1]) offer from local billionaire Daryl Katz for the franchise, although Nichols subsequently said the team was not for sale.[3] Daryl Katz upped the offer to C$150 million ($190 million in 2021 dollars[1]), but was turned down again.
On August 7, Daryl Katz made a third offer for the team of C$185 million ($235 million in 2021 dollars[1]). Cal Nichols, spokesman for the EIG, said it amounted to a hostile takeover, and had caused divisions within the EIG.
On December 13, 2007 Daryl Katz submitted a fourth formal offer to the EIG to buy the franchise. The offer was C$188 million ($239 million in 2021 dollars[1]) to the EIG shareholders, plus another $100 million towards the building of a new arena in downtown Edmonton, as well as a new state of the art training facility located at the University of Alberta. Cal Nichols indicated that he would accept the offer for his share of the team, but that the EIG had to have the owners of 2/3 of the shares agree to the proposal. Cal Nichols resigned as chairman of the board of directors for the EIG on December 14, 2007. Assuming the position of chairman of the board was Bill Butler, a minority shareholder & real estate developer.[4] The EIG met to decide on the bid January 21, 2008.[5]
Before the January 21st meeting there were rumours of a rival or plan B offer led by Gary Gregg, Bill Butler, Brian Nilsson and Jakob Ambrosius. These rumours were confirmed on January 23, as the rival faction would match the Katz offer either by soliciting new shareholders or taking a loan from Scotiabank using the hockey club as collateral.[6]
As reported on The Team 1260 on January 24, 2008 as well as in the Edmonton Journal[7] on January 25, 3 more directors of the Edmonton Investors Group stepped down. Ron Hodgson, Neal Allen & Brian Hryniuk have resigned adding speculation that they may have accepted the Katz offer as well. The updated price per share is C$20,687 ($25,673 in 2021 dollars[1]) and sources close to Daryl Katz said he may be willing to close the deal only having 60% of the 7,492.5 EIG shares.
On June 18, 2008 it was reported that the sale of the Edmonton Oilers was approved[8] to Daryl Katz for a reported C$200 million ($248 million in 2021 dollars[1]).
The ownership of the EIG was as follows (investors on the board of directors in BOLD):[9]
Shareholder | Residence | Percentage Held | Payment (million) |
---|---|---|---|
Dave Addie | Lloydminster | 1.735% | $2.9 |
Neal Allen | Nisku | 1.735% | $2.9 |
Jakob Ambrosius | Edmonton | 6.673% | $11.1 |
Manuel Balsa | Edmonton | 1.735% | $2.9 |
Ted Barrett* | Los Angeles | 1.335% | $2.2 |
Edwin E. Bean (1927–2023)[10] | Edmonton | 8.742% | $14.5 |
Gordon Buchanan (1929–2014)[11] | Edmonton | 3.470% | $5.8 |
Bill Butler | Edmonton | 0.868% | $1.4 |
Michael Dalton | Kelowna | 1.335% | $2.2 |
The Edmonton Journal |
Edmonton | 1.335% | $2.2 |
Ernie Elko | Edmonton | 2.002% | $3.3 |
Gary Gregg | Edmonton | 9.142% | $15.2 |
Don Hamilton (1924–2011)[12] | Edmonton | 1.735% | $2.9 |
Ron Hodgson and Tom Mayson (1928–2010) | Edmonton | 1.735% | $2.9 |
Jim Hole (1927–2018)[13] | Edmonton | 9.142% | $15.2 |
Brian Hryniuk | Edmonton | 1.735% | $2.9 |
The Estate of Gerald Knoll (1932–2008)[14] | Nisku | 1.735% | $2.9 |
Chris Kuchar** | Edmonton/Nisku | 1.735% | $2.9 |
Larry M. Makelki | Lloydminster | 6.673% | $11.1 |
Todd McFarlane | Phoenix | 1.335% | $2.2 |
Tim Melton | Edmonton | 0.667% | $1.1 |
Art Mihalcheon (1931–2014)[15] | Edmonton | 5.272% | $8.7 |
Cal Nichols | Edmonton | 8.008% | $13.3 |
Lloydminster Consortium of Five: Marcel and Roger Roberge (1957–2013), Brian Nilsson, Rusty Stalwick, Keith Weaver |
4 (Lloydminster) Rusty Stalwick (Vermilion) |
3.570% | $5.9 |
Al Owen | Edmonton | ||
J. R. "Dick" Paine (1941–2007)[16] and Associates | Edmonton | ||
Harold and Cathy Roozen | Edmonton | 1.335% | $2.2 |
Bruce Saville | Edmonton | 9.142% | $15.2 |
Dale Sheard | Edmonton | 3.470% | $5.8 |
Simon Sochatsky | Edmonton | 1.335% | $2.2 |
Barry Weaver (1944–2010)***[17] | Edmonton | ||
Jim Woods | Edmonton | 0.667% | $1.1 |
Jim Zanello | Edmonton | 0.601% | $1.0 |
*Purchased shares of Dick Colf in 2002
**Inherited shares of Wally Kuchar (1925-2004) in 2004
***Sold shares to EIG in 2003
See also
- Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
- Canucks Sports and Entertainment
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h 1688 to 1923: Geloso, Vincent, A Price Index for Canada, 1688 to 1850 (December 6, 2016). Afterwards, Canadian inflation numbers based on Statistics Canada tables 18-10-0005-01 (formerly CANSIM 326-0021) "Consumer Price Index, annual average, not seasonally adjusted". Statistics Canada. Retrieved April 17, 2021. and table 18-10-0004-13 "Consumer Price Index by product group, monthly, percentage change, not seasonally adjusted, Canada, provinces, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit". Statistics Canada. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- canada.com. Archived from the originalon 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ "Emergence of low-profile Edmonton developer Bill Butler creates online buzz among fans". Edmonton Journal. 2008-01-09. Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ "Daryl Katz absent, owners of Oilers weigh bid to buy team". Edmonton Sun. 2008-01-21. Retrieved 2008-01-23. [dead link]
- canada.com. Archived from the originalon 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- canada.com. Archived from the originalon 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
- ^ Barnes, Dan (2008-06-18). "Oilers sale approved". Archived from the original on 2011-05-21. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
- ^ Barnes, Dan (2008-01-20). "Oilers' owners warming to Katz's offer to buy team". National Post. Archived from the original on 2008-02-08. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ Edwin Bean's obituary
- ^ Gordan Buchanan's obituary
- ^ Don Hamilton's obituary
- ^ Jim Hole's obituary
- ^ "EIG Investor Gerald Knoll Passes Away". Edmonton Oilers hockey Club. 2008-01-18. Archived from the original on 2008-01-19. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ Art Mihalcheon's obituary
- ^ John Paine's obituary
- ^ Barry Weaver's obituary