Sale of Lightning finally closes

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JULY 03, 2008

It's official, the Lightning is under new ownership.

The $200-million sale of the team, the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5.5 acres adjacent to the arena to OK Hockey from Palace Sports & Entertainment, closed Thursday, team spokesman Bill Wickett said. It was the final step in the transfer of ownership. The league approved the new ownership last month.

The news ends an 11-month process that began with Absolute Hockey Enterprises aborted attempt to buy the team. New owner Oren Koules was part of the group that imploded. Koules now heads OK Hockey with former NHLer Len Barrie and six other minority investors.

Posted by Damian Cristodero at 4:34:21 pm on July 03, 2008 | Permalink | Comments |

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