KC Star had a partial leak last night.
So...
Another reason to visit the east side of the metro to support our local favs. MISSOURI MAVERICKS ANNOUNCE NEW OWNERSHIP
LAMAR HUNT JR. AND LORETTO SPORTS VENTURES, LLC
ACQUIRE ECHL FRANCHISE*
INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI (Friday, February 6, 2015) --- The ECHL is pleased to announce that an agreement for Missouri Mavericks current ownership to sell the team to Loretto Sports Ventures, LLC and President Lamar Hunt Jr. has been approved by the ECHL Board Of Directors.
“Today*is an exciting day for the Missouri Mavericks and our great fans,” said new Mavericks owner and Loretto Ventures, LLC President, Lamar Hunt Jr. *“Since 2009, the Mavericks have been an exemplary hockey franchise. *I have seen firsthand how the team and staff come together to create a competitive product on the ice, as well as an exhilarating game day experience at Independence Events Center. We are pleased to have the opportunity to build upon the foundation of success the team has established and can’t wait to get started.”
“Lamar’s sports acumen and dedication to the community will immediately impact the success of our team,” said Mavericks General Manager, Brent Thiessen. “It ensures our long-term future in Kansas City and we are excited to help him take the franchise to the next level.”
“We proudly welcome Lamar Hunt Jr. to the ECHL,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. “The Missouri Mavericks have been a welcome addition to our league and the new ownership group provides a strong local tie to what has been a great city for our sport.”
Under the new ownership, the Mavericks will seek to raise the profile of the team regionally, seek affiliation with an NHL franchise and expand existing youth hockey programs in the Kansas City area.
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Lamar Hunt Jr. will be formally introduced as the team’s new owner at a*1pm*press conference,*today*at Independence Events Center (19100 East Valley View Parkway, Indepencence MO 64055) and as new owner to Mavericks fans,*tonight at 7:05 pm, prior to the Mavericks game vs. Rapid City Rush.
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ABOUT LORETTO VENTURES, LLC
Loretto Sports Ventures, LLC *is the*owner and operator of the Missouri Mavericks and a facilitator of investment in sports teams, properties and affiliated assets. With decades of sports experience, Loretto Sports Ventures offers resources and guidance to accelerate investment and growth in the sports industry. *Located in Kansas City, we proactively seek opportunities to leverage our market insights and network of relationships to impact the future of the sports marketplace.*
ABOUT THE MISSOURI MAVERICKS
The Missouri Mavericks entered a new era this season after the historic move to the ECHL. *On*October 7th, 2014, the Missouri Mavericks, along with six other teams of the former Central Hockey League (CHL), were formally accepted as expansion member teams into the ECHL- the Premier 'AA' hockey league. *The Mavs are competing in their 6th season entering the 2014-15 campaign. The Mavs have made the playoffs in each of their first five seasons,*including winning the 2014 Bud Poile Governor’s Cup, capping off a season of franchise record regular-season wins (44). * The Missouri Mavericks have been awarded numerous community and league awards over the years, including the Harry S. Truman Special Community Service Recognition Award by the City of Independence, and claiming Central Hockey League Franchise of the Year for the past four straight seasons.* The Missouri Mavericks are proud to be Kansas City's only professional hockey team and are dedicated to furthering the values and skill-level of hockey players and fans throughout the metro area.*
ABOUT THE ECHL
Began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 28 teams in 20 states and one Canadian province for its 27th season in 2014-15. There have been*554 players*who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL,*including 13*who made their NHL debuts in the 2013-14 season. The ECHL has*affiliations*with 29 of the 30 NHL teams in 2014-15, marking the 18th consecutive season that the league had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at*ECHL.com*as well as on*Facebook*and*Twitter.