The Whale Has Sunk - Rangers Terminate Contract With WS & E

27 Jun 2012 | By Gerry Cantlon

HARTFORD,CT- “Market, market, market. There is some magic to it,” Those were the words of Howard Baldwin Sr. nearly two years ago announcing that he had formed a company WS&E (Whale Sports and Entertainment) to take over the management and business operations of the then AHL Hartford Wolf Pack and rename the team the Connecticut Whale with hopes of reviving the Hartford market and maybe, just maybe bring the NHL back to Hartford.

The AHL CT Whale have sunk and there was no magic--just illusions and numerous false promises.

The team confirmed the day long speculation that the marriage the New York Rangers, AEG and Whaler Sports and Entertainment has ended with the Rangers terminating their portion of the agreement. Efforts for comment from Whale GM Jim Schoenfeld so far have been unsuccessful.

Tim Kemp, AEG spokesperson said late this afternoon a formal announcement would be forthcoming in 24 to 48 hours from AEG Hartford GM Chuck Steedman otherwise there would be no comment on the matter.

The Whale in typical fashion sent out a press release at 7:10pm Tuesday night from the account of its laid off team broadcaster and PR Director with 20 plus years of AHL experience Bob Crawford.

"This has always been about promoting activity and economic opportunity in the city," said Baldwin. "We have shown what's possible with the tremendous fans in this market. That hasn't changed."

The AHL Connecticut Whale however have been mired in serious financial straits since its inception with a $25,000 per game lease triple the AHL average lease were served with a letter of termination of the agreement three weeks ago according to a source familiar with the situation by the New York Rangers because of breach of contract by WS&E including incomplete payments on the NHL affiliation fee and the mounting lawsuits and financial losses the CT Whale have incurred.

Sources have indicated however that team will operate at the XL Center for the 2012-2013 season as the CT Whale since the Rangers own the AHL team and not enough time to make all new marketing materials, tickets, team jerseys with either the Wolf Pack or other team name. MSG and AEG have forged an agreement to operate the team for just one year, ironically next season is the last of their respective contracts with the building presently owned by the city of Hartford.

WS&E too had one year remaining on its contract, but without a team to market they are effectively out of business and sources confirmed WS&E has filed for bankruptcy protection.

In the past eight weeks, the company WS&E has not either entered a plea or been in attendance at Hartford Superior Court and have seen plaintiffs like Hartford All Service (division of Delaware North who have the XL Center concession contract), CT Radio Network a division of CRN International, Reebox, the supplier of the team equipment a contract negotiated by the AHL for all of its 30 teams, Twin (Caps) Enterprise Inc., GSG Communications, Bushnell Management that runs Rentschler Field all awarded summary judgements.

The list is bound to grow as the team VP and COO Mark Willand in a recent interview was clear “we have issues with outstanding payables and we are seeking to make them whole,” this latest news makes that possibility next to impossible.