clarinews@clarinet.com (GARY ROSENBERGER) (02/02/90)
ALBANY, N.Y. (UPI) -- Two sports promoters announced Thursday the formation of a 20-team Global Hockey League, with Albany its first franchise. Dennis Murphy, a co-founder of the league, said other North American franchises would be announced by the end of next week following a meeting in Los Angeles of potential owners. Team and league officials declined to disclose financial or other details at a news conference at the newly opened Knickerbocker Arena. An international news conference will be held in two weeks regarding European franchises. Joseph O'Hara, co-owner of the Albany team, said by November 10 teams will be playing in North America and 10 teams in Europe. North American cities believed to be seeking franchises are Atlanta, San Diego, Tampa, Fla., and Hamilton, Ontario. Among European cities Murphy mentioned as possible franchises were Bern, Switzerland, and Stockholm, Sweden. The formation of the Global Hockey League follows an international trend in sports, with the NFL sponsoring a spring league in Europe, and the World Basketball League beginning play this season. Murphy and his partner, Michael Gobuty, helped form the World Hockey Association, which sent four teams (Winnipeg, Edmonton, Hartford and Quebec) to the NHL in the 1979-80 season. GHL teams are to play an 84-game schedule, not including playoffs. Gobuty, the GHL chairman, said the league's rules will differ from the NHL's. He said the red line will be eliminated, so there will be less off-sides penalties and a faster game. Goals will be moved out by three feet and strict penalties will be imposed for flagrant high-sticking or for having a third man join a fight. The league is considering two 15-minute overtimes to eliminate ties. The unnamed Albany team was acquired by O'Hara and Glenn Mazula, co-owners of the Albany Patroons basketball team of the Continental Basketball Association. Albany County Executive James Coyne said it remains to be seen whether the region can support a hockey franchise and fill the $65 million arena with fans. O'Hara said the team will embark on a marketing campaign aimed at attracting 8,000 season ticket holders willing to pay $450 apiece by May 1. Without that number -- the arena can seat about 15,000 -- Albany may have to re-evaluate whether it can be home to a hockey franchise. O'Hara said he and his partner would move the team to another city if local support lags.