IceHogs Owner Asks County Board to Reconsider MetroCentre Vote

Winnebago County, IL - IceHogs co-owner Kris Tumilowicz asked Winnebago County Board members to reconsider their MetroCentre vote at Thursdays meeting. Two weeks ago, the board approved funds to support the $20 million MetroCentre renovation project, committing $9 million over a 20 year period. But it included an amendment prohibiting the City of Rockford and MetroCentre Authority from owning and operating a sports franchise. Tumilowicz guaranteed he will own the IceHogs next season, but possibly as part of a public-private ownership with the city and MetroCentre Authority. Winnebago County Board members were so shocked when IceHogs co-owner Kris Tumilowicz asked them to reconsider their MetroCentre vote, they asked for a recess. "I think this is a surprise to everybody, including the fans in the audience," says County Board Member Mary Ann Aiello (R-9). Tumilowicz says he wants to go forward with a public-private ownership of the IceHogs with the MetroCentre Authority. He says he is undecided whether it will be a United Hockey League team, like there is now, or an American Hockey League team affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks. But he is leaning towards the AHL team because more corporate sponsorship is available with one. "We don`t want to lose another opportunity for Rockford," says Tumilowicz. "We don`t want it to be another NIU or Cherry Vale Mall or some other thing that never happened for Rockford. So this is something that we have to consider. If it`s too expensive, we`ll just stay with the UHL." Tumilowicz and the other owner of the IceHogs, Craig Drektrah, apparently do not agree on the issue. At Thursdays meeting, Drektrah sat alone with his wife and would not comment on the negotiations, while Tumilowicz stood with MetroCentre officials. "We are really ecstatic that we have come to an agreement," says Gary Marzorati, MetroCentre Authority. "We have signed something saying we will negotiate in good faith." The UHL Commissioner who spoke at the meeting calls it a sham. "There`s never been any good faith negotiation," says Richard Brosal, UHL Commissioner. "They`ve [Tumilowicz and Drektrah] been told, either do this or they get nothing. So now it`s real simple. Let`s put a sham and make it appear we`re negotiating in good faith. We give two great options, they look at it and say no, we`re not interested, it has to be the AHL." Brosal says Tumilowicz has to pay the UHL a six-figure exit-fee if he has any ownership of an AHL team with the Rockford IceHogs. "More importantly if he tries to sell his team, it must be approved by the Board of Governors of the UHL," says Brosal. The Winnebago County Board will reconsider its vote at its next meeting on January 25th. Tumilowicz and MetroCentre officials say they expect to have a deal by then.