NEWS ISSUED ON 11-12 1976
The Stingers Executive Vice-President
Bill DeWitt Jr. stated that the time was definitely near for the WHA and NHL to reach an
agreement on a common formula for a merger or joint operations. DeWitt and Howard Baldwin
(who was the managing general partner of the New England Whalers) met with Alan Eagleson
(who was the executive director of the NHL Players Association). DeWitt stated that he
felt that both leagues must begin to take a realistic look at what is happening to hockey
in terms of the small crowds, increasing player salaries, rising operating costs and loss
of revenue. DeWitt would also say that he was not particularly leaning towards a merger
but felt some form of league co-relationship was necessary. He added that both leagues
felt something needed to be done.
The meeting with DeWitt, Baldwin and
Eagleson was not sanctioned by the WHA but was aimed at getting the players association's
thoughts on future talks. DeWitt stated "I think Eagelson is the key. He represents
all the players and in any kind of agreement between the leagues the players must be
included and agree to what is taking place". Eagleson said that "He was prepared
to listen and to contribute to future meetings". And that was precisely what DeWitt
planned to do. That was to set up a future meeting between club owners of the WHA and NHL.
Dewitt saw several possibilities for
the two leagues. The WHA and NHL could do what the NBA and ABA did which was have several
clubs absorbed into the NBA. Or do what the NFL and AFL did which was merge and create two
conferences within the NFL. Or do what baseball did which was continue as two separate
leagues but have a common commissioner.
Cincinnati was viewed as a serious
contender for a merger and was certainly a club that the NHL would like to absorb. Other
attractive clubs were the Indianapolis Racers, Houston Aeros, Quebec Nordiques, Winnipeg
Jets and Edmonton Oilers.
DeWitt still claimed that the WHA was a
strong league, but questioned some of the moves the league allowed to happen. Teams had
been folding and moving either midseason or following the closing of a season. Since the
leagues inception five years prior, fans were scared off by such things. The same thing
happened to the ABA in its final years. Since the WHA formed eleven teams had moved or
folded altogether. |
