Transcripts

PAT FORCIEA: The Dallas City Council has to formally approve the lease next Wednesday, but I think their comments yesterday give every indication that that will be a yes vote.

SPEAKER: Now, I know you've been over this in public forums many times, but can you explain again why it is that the team is being moved from Minnesota to Dallas?

PAT FORCIEA: Well, Norman doesn't feel that over the long term that he can financially secure the finances of his franchise. And in this market, he's the third owner, and in just the last 10, 12 years, who has struggled financially here. And he believes that relocating to Dallas is really the best way to secure this franchise long term.

SPEAKER: People around here say that their analysis of the various deals that have been proposed indicate that that's not true, that in fact, he could have done better by staying here.

PAT FORCIEA: Well, unfortunately, it's not relevant what I think at this point in time. He's made the decision to relocate in Dallas, and I thought the offers that were made here were very sincere and generous ones. And I had hoped and believed that a local solution could have been found. But again, it's not relevant what I think on this issue.

SPEAKER: All right. What are the chances that the National Hockey League will allow another franchise to set up shop here in Minnesota?

PAT FORCIEA: Well, that's a tough question. I don't think we'll get an expansion team. The league has added five teams in just three years, so I don't think that's a possibility. But there is a possibility that perhaps an existing franchise may choose to relocate here. It's going to need to happen sooner rather than later. If we aren't able to do something within the next few years, I think it'll become more and more difficult to secure a new franchise. But hopefully within the next year to two, we can bring NHL hockey back to the Twin Cities.

SPEAKER: Any ideas which franchises might be in a position where they would think about moving?

PAT FORCIEA: Well, the two most discussed are Tampa and Hartford. But as we're all learning here, removing a team from a market is an emotional process. And you can certainly bet that the communities involved in those two instances will do what they can to keep those communities there.

SPEAKER: You're a big hockey fan yourself, of course. It's said by some, well, what's the big deal? I mean, after all, we've got a top-notch college hockey program here. High school hockey is very big. Who's going to miss the North Stars? How do you feel about that as a hockey fan?

PAT FORCIEA: Well, as a fan, I think the abundance of hockey in Minnesota is spectacular, but it's going to be unfortunate that the premier players in the world will no longer be coming through our community. On the one hand, it's true we have the chance to see some of the best high school kids in the country and the best college kids in the country, but no longer having the opportunity to see Wayne Gretzky and Eric Lindros and Mike Modano. That's the pinnacle of hockey. And unfortunately, those athletes won't be in our market for the time being.

SPEAKER: Are you going down to Dallas with the team? Are you going to stay here?

PAT FORCIEA: Well, Minnesota's always been home for me, and it's difficult for me to picture not being a Minnesotan. I had really held off dealing with that possibility. I had hoped all along that we'd find a way to make things work here, but I've got to make a decision pretty quickly here. And I suspect I'll choose to stay right here.