A group of potential buyers for the Flint Generals (IHL) met with Perani Arena officials and toured the facility, leading some to wonder whether the IHL will make a play to stay in Flint despite a lease already signed for the arena by a NAHL team.
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The buyers are from Indiana, and it’s not clear whether they’d want to keep the team in Flint or move it to another city, say, South Bend. In theory, there’s a lease between the Generals and Perani Arena dating back to the days when Dr. Khaled M. Shukairy owned the arena and a chunk of the team — may or may not be valid anymore. Arena management says it is not.
It’s hard to say whether there will be a showdown over Flint. There’s a long tradition of pro hockey in Flint, but there aren’t enough hardcore fans to keep that tradition alive these days, and a team with lower operating costs — like a Junior NAHL team — may be better suited to the market.
