Post by 50yardfan on Jan 8, 2011 11:12:23 GMT -5
www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110108/A_SPORTS/101080333
Bennie King hopes the path is clear for arena football to return to Stockton.
The head coach and general manager of the San Jose Wolves said the city of Stockton's deal to bring in new management for Stockton Arena should be good news for his franchise, as it plans to relocate to Stockton.
"I'm confident. The main obstacle has been removed," King said. "The city has been very good about communicating with us, and now we go from here."
King has waited on the sidelines while the city worked out a way to terminate its contract with International Facilities Group and pave the way for Pennsylvania-based SMG to take over operation of the arena, Stockton Ballpark, Bob Hope Theatre and Oak Park Ice Arena.
SMG is scheduled to take over management of the arena in February, and King said he sent e-mails to city officials on Friday to resume the process of trying to relocate the team.
The Wolves, members of the American Indoor Football Association West, played their home games at the Cow Palace in Daly City last season. Stockton is their only option, and King said if he doesn't get an agreement with Stockton, the team likely would suspend operations for the 2011 season, which is expected to begin in March.
"We have put all our eggs in one basket, so to speak," King said, "but we're confident we can get a deal done."
The Stockton Lightning of the defunct af2 played four seasons at Stockton Arena but folded after the 2008 season.
The Wolves, who were 9-5 in their inaugural season in 2010, are owned by Ryan Petersen, chief executive officer of OCZ Technology, a computer hardware manufacturing company in San Jose.
Bennie King hopes the path is clear for arena football to return to Stockton.
The head coach and general manager of the San Jose Wolves said the city of Stockton's deal to bring in new management for Stockton Arena should be good news for his franchise, as it plans to relocate to Stockton.
"I'm confident. The main obstacle has been removed," King said. "The city has been very good about communicating with us, and now we go from here."
King has waited on the sidelines while the city worked out a way to terminate its contract with International Facilities Group and pave the way for Pennsylvania-based SMG to take over operation of the arena, Stockton Ballpark, Bob Hope Theatre and Oak Park Ice Arena.
SMG is scheduled to take over management of the arena in February, and King said he sent e-mails to city officials on Friday to resume the process of trying to relocate the team.
The Wolves, members of the American Indoor Football Association West, played their home games at the Cow Palace in Daly City last season. Stockton is their only option, and King said if he doesn't get an agreement with Stockton, the team likely would suspend operations for the 2011 season, which is expected to begin in March.
"We have put all our eggs in one basket, so to speak," King said, "but we're confident we can get a deal done."
The Stockton Lightning of the defunct af2 played four seasons at Stockton Arena but folded after the 2008 season.
The Wolves, who were 9-5 in their inaugural season in 2010, are owned by Ryan Petersen, chief executive officer of OCZ Technology, a computer hardware manufacturing company in San Jose.