But What Does the Mayor Think?

So you've probably been wondering, throughout this exciting "Is the Thrashers a-movin?" news cycle, what your TBC editor's favorite current Mayor of Atlanta, Kasim Reed, has to say about a possible relocation.

AJC, folks:

Reese McCranie, spokesman for Reed, said Atlanta has not been approached by the NHL about making a financial deal such as Glendale’s. Even if approached, the city — in the midst of pension reform and possible layoffs in 2012 — would not consider it, McCranie said.

“We are aware that the ownership of the Thrashers is having difficulty and they may leave,” McCranie said. “The mayor has had robust discussions with business leaders in the metro region [who might] potentially buy or join a team of buyers to keep the Thrashers here.

“He has gone through extraordinary lengths to ensure that the Thrashers can stay in Atlanta, but at this moment there is not a deal on the table that we can present.”

DOOM AND GLOOM, Mr. Mayor, doom and gloom. Why do you insist on being honest about what's actually going on?

For whatever reason, your editor suspects the Thrashers will stay in Atlanta (for at least a little while longer), but he also sees that a relocation could be Feasible and even Tempting to both the Atlanta Spirit and the NHL. We're living through an era of desperate consolidation, comrades. Sales and mergers of even huge and popular companies is the order of the day in just about every industry (with smaller businesses/properties closing up shop forever). To expect the NHL to expand in this economy (so that everyone from Phoenix to Winnipeg to Atlanta can have a team) just isn't realistic.