azdad1978

By Darren Urban, Tribune

Coyotes owner Steve Ellman has had a “casual conversation” with Arizona Rattlers owner Robert Sarver about buying the Arena Football League franchise, Sarver said Sunday.

Sarver, in Denver taking in the NBA All-Star weekend festivities, bought the Rattlers in 2004 when he purchased the Suns. But Sarver made it clear early on he was looking for someone else to take the Rattlers. The franchise has been looking for a majority owner since then.

Ellman would want the Rattlers so he could fill some dates at Glendale Arena. Sarver’s ownership group doesn’t need the Rattlers as much anymore now that it recently added an East Coast Hockey League franchise to play at America West Arena. The Phoenix Roadrunners will provide 36 home games to fill the AWA schedule — especially for suite holders, who must be guaranteed a certain amount of events.

When Sarver took over the Rattlers, he only committed to running the franchise through the 2005 season. While uncertainty is hovering over their future, the Rattlers have struggled to a 1-3 start.

“We’re keeping everything open,” Sarver said. “If (selling the team) doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.”

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=36768

__________________

NickelBack

I would think that Sarver wouldn't want to lose those dates to Glendale, would he?

Angel

We only have 8 regular season games, no preseason and even with playoff games that is not many nights lost added there in no longer hosting of the Arena Bowl. Attendance is down a bit with many previous season ticket holders miffed by a LARGE increase in this year’s prices while the casual fan, buying single game tickets, are getting fantastic bargains. I now pay MORE for my Rattlers tickets than I do for my Cardinal tickets and while I realize I am sort of an oddity, a fan that enjoys the indoor game as much as the outdoor, even I know that there is something not quite right about that.

Adding the 36 games for the Roadrunners whose season I believe will overlap ours (this was a scheduling nightmare when sharing the building with both the Coyotes and Suns) would certainly make the loss of our games less of a concern. Mr. Sarver hasn’t appeared to be in love with either the Rattlers or Arena Football though I think he has shown more interest that indicated by the media.

We will have to wait and see.