| March 5, 1998 -- Miami, Fla., one of the fastest growing hockey marketsin the country, today became the newest and largest market for the 10-year-oldEast Coast Hockey League (ECHL). Hoteles UKWith the NHL's Florida Panthers moving 40 miles north to Broward County,Miami Arena has signed a new 5 year agreement with Miami Hockey Partners,LP, the ECHL ownership group that will own and operate the team. MiamiArena has been home to the Panthers for the last 5 years and the MiamiHeat since 1988. |  |
The ECHL team will be run by Bob Snyder, the managing partner and presidentof Miami Hockey Partners, LP. Mr. Snyder most recently served as the presidentof West Palm Beach-based Paxson Pro Sports and brings to the organizationan extensive sports marketing and sports broadcast background. In additionto his experience with Paxson Pro Sports, he has held marketing and advertisingpositions in the United States Football League and the American SoccerLeague. For over a decade, Mr. Snyder was involved in sports radio, includingnearly 5 years as the Vice President and General Manager of WTEM (The TEAM),Washington, DC's all-sports radio station.
"This is a real positive development for South Florida and particularlyMiami-Dade County.", said Snyder. "Our team looks forward to complementingthe Panthers' relocation by providing sports fans and their families witha new source of affordable, high-energy entertainment. We are also excitedto be a tenant in Miami Arena, one of the great venues in the country tosee a hockey game, and to be part of the ECHL, whose on-ice product hasa history of producing loyal and energetic fans."
The attraction to hockey in the Southeast is strong and getting strongeras more markets are exposed to the sport. In 1988, no professional hockeyteams existed in the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and SouthCarolina. Ten years later, in 1998, 18 different pro hockey teams are slatedto play in those four states including 10 in the East Coast Hockey League.Natural ECHL rivalries with intrastate clubs in Ft. Myers/Naples, Jacksonville,Tallahassee and Pensacola will benefit the Miami franchise and its fans.
discount hotels in Palma de MallorcaThe East Coast Hockey League will have 27 teams competing in the 1998-1999season, including first year teams in Miami, Ft Myers and Greenville, SC.Future expansion is scheduled for Trenton in 1999 and other potential marketsinclude Little Rock, AR, Reading, PA and Atlantic City, NJ.
"The East Coast Hockey League is pleased to welcome the Miami franchiseto the largest developmental hockey league in North America," said RichardW. Adams, President/CEO of the ECHL. "The addition of a major league venuelike Miami Arena, complimented by new state-of the-art facilitiesin Ft Myers/Naples and Greenville (SC), enhances the league's strong presencein the Southern region of the US"
Florida Panthers President Bill Torrey said, "The Florida Panthers whole-heartedlyendorse the efforts of Bob Snyder's group to relocate professional hockeyat Miami Arena. The ECHL is a most competitive and exciting brand of hockeythat I am sure many fans will enjoy in the years ahead. We wish Bob andthe ECHL much success."
The new Miami team's name and logo will be unveiled at a special pressconference to be held later this month.
Information about season tickets and corporate sponsorships can be obtainedby calling Miami Hockey Partners, LP at 305-371-7273 or by faxing a name,address and home phone number to 305-371-7274.
For More Information
Robert A. Franklin, Miami Arena
(305) 530-4495
Robert M. Snyder, Miami Hockey Partners, LP
(305) 371-7273
Richard W. Adams, East Coast Hockey League
(609) 452-0770
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