Michigan regents to discuss NHL Winter Classic at special meeting Wednesday
The University of Michigan board of regents will discuss Michigan Stadium as a potential venue for the 2013 NHL Winter Classic on Wednesday.
The University of Michigan Board of Regents will hold a special meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday to discuss authorization of a facility-use lease for the 2013 NHL Winter Classic to be held at Michigan Stadium.
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon confirmed in January that he was involved in discussions with the NHL regarding the Winter Classic, but said, "there are a lot of complex circumstances that need to be ironed out, before anything moves forward. We will have more to say if/when something materializes."
Though a facility-use lease has apparently materialized, associate athletic director Dave Ablauf said the the athletic department has no official comment at this time. Ablauf said it is department policy not to comment on action items going before the regents prior to approval.
Multiple news outlets have been reporting that the NHL's annual New Year's Day outdoor game would be between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs for weeks.
NHL vice president of communications John Dellapina previously told AnnArbor.com the NHL doesn't comment on specific Winter Classics "until contracts are signed." That apparently still applies when the contract appears close to being signed.
"There is nothing to report from the NHL," said Jayme Horan, NHL vice president public relations and player development, in an email.
A representative with the Red Wings also declined to comment.
The meeting will be held in the university's Fleming Administration Building.
Contact Pete Cunningham at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
local
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.
I think this would be an awesome event. It would allow some of us that can't always get tickets at the Joe to watch an NHL game in our own backyard. With 100,000 plus tickets available, we will have a chance to see two elite NHL franchises compete at an awesome venue.
Blue Marker
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 2:42 p.m.
Wow, what a bunch of downers! This is a great event for UM, Ann Arbor and the state of Michigan. It will bring exposure to our state and city and much needed tourism dollars. Plus, it's a great event right in our back yard. But please, keep bringing up the negatives that don't really have anything to do with this story. Gheez!
vaseline
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 2:29 p.m.
Betcha it gets Dave Brandon on T.V. and if there is one thing i am sure about Dave Brandon, it's that Dave Brandon loves him some Dave Brandon Dave Brandon
andys
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 1:38 p.m.
I don't see how this event fits in with Brandon's long term strategy. I think it does noting (or is a negative) for the Michigan brand, and does it really generate that much money. Does it not take away from the Big Chill and makes future Big Chills less of a novelty. I just don't like this.
treetowncartel
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 3:24 a.m.
Maybe they could let some children's advocay non-profits sell some beer in there like what happens out at Eastern's Convocation Center when it is not an NCAA event
Kai Petainen
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 2:57 a.m.
Awesome stuff. Go blue (maple leafs)!
Terry Star21
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 2:32 a.m.
Definitely not......Big House built for Michigan football and no advertising jigamaboo. Go to horseshoe are spartacus where football not taken seriously.
Ron Granger
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 2:17 a.m.
Too bad the apparent cover-up of images of child pornography do not justify a special meeting.
average joe
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 11:12 p.m.
I love hockey, but I also think that the regents should have a special meeting to discuss the events surrounding a certain resident at the hospital and the 'lapse in reporting' in the way it was handled.
a2citizen
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 1:34 a.m.
No revenue there...