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{{Short description|Proposed National Hockey League expansion team}}
{{Infobox sports team
{{Infobox sports team
| team = Hampton Roads Rhinos
| team = Hampton Roads Rhinos
| color1 = teal
| color2 = blue
| league = [[National Hockey League]]
| league = [[National Hockey League]]
| history = Proposed expansion franchise in 1997
| history = Proposed expansion franchise in 1997
Line 11: Line 10:
}}
}}


The '''Hampton Roads Rhinos''' were a proposed [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) [[expansion team]] in the late-1990s to play in [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]], [[Virginia]]. The franchise would be under the ownership of [[George Shinn]] and play in a proposed $142 million arena to be constructed in [[Downtown Norfolk, Virginia|Downtown Norfolk]]. After making a push to sell season tickets and reaching an agreement in principle to construct the arena, the NHL rejected the Norfolk bid for an expansion franchise in February 1997. By the following May, the prospect of a NHL franchise calling the Hampton Roads home ended with the [[Relocation of professional sports teams|relocation]] of the [[Hartford Whalers]] to [[Raleigh, North Carolina]].
The '''Hampton Roads Rhinos''' were a [[potential National Hockey League expansion]] team that was to begin play in the late-1990s in [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]], [[Virginia]]. The franchise would have been under the ownership of [[George Shinn]] and play in a proposed $142 million arena to be constructed in [[Downtown Norfolk, Virginia|Downtown Norfolk]]. After making a push to sell season tickets and reaching an agreement in principle to construct the arena, the [[National Hockey League|NHL]] rejected the Norfolk bid for an expansion franchise in February 1997. By the following May, the prospect of an NHL franchise calling Hampton Roads home ended with the [[Relocation of professional sports teams|relocation]] of the [[Hartford Whalers]] to [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], less than {{convert|190|miles|km}} southwest of Norfolk.


==History==
==History==
The prospect of attracting a NHL franchise to Norfolk was initially explored in the early 1990s. A NHL franchise became the best option in attracting a professional sports team to the region based on its lower expansion fee (approximately $50 million in 1994) and the success of the [[Hampton Roads Admirals]] of the [[East Coast Hockey League]] (ECHL) during the late 1980s and early 1990s.<ref>{{cite news |title=And our best bet to return to the bigs might be with the NHL |first=Tom |last=Robinson |newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]] |date=June 22, 1994 |page=C4 }}</ref> In November 1994, the Hampton Roads Sports Authority released a report indicating the region could support a NHL franchise and that in order to attract one a 20,000 seat arena would have to be constructed as both the [[Norfolk Scope]] and [[Hampton Coliseum]] were too small to host a NHL team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Study says new arena could draw a NHL team |first=Mylene |last=Mangalindan |newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|date=November 19, 1994 |page=C1 }}</ref>
The prospect of attracting an NHL franchise to Norfolk was initially explored in the early 1990s. An NHL franchise became the best option in attracting a professional sports team to the region based on its lower expansion fee (approximately $50 million in 1994) and the success of the [[Hampton Roads Admirals]] of the [[East Coast Hockey League]] (ECHL) during the late 1980s and early 1990s.<ref>{{cite news |title=And our best bet to return to the bigs might be with the NHL |first=Tom |last=Robinson |newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]] |date=June 22, 1994 |page=C4 }}</ref> In November 1994, the Hampton Roads Sports Authority released a report indicating the region could support an NHL franchise and that in order to attract one a 20,000-seat arena would have to be constructed as both the [[Norfolk Scope]] and [[Hampton Coliseum]] were too small to host an NHL team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Study says new arena could draw a NHL team |first=Mylene |last=Mangalindan |newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|date=November 19, 1994 |page=C1 }}</ref>


By 1996 [[George Shinn]], owner of the then [[New Orleans Hornets|Charlotte Hornets]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) indicated that he was looking to the Hampton Roads as a potential location for a NHL expansion team.<ref name="October 16, 1996">{{cite news |title=NBA owner mulls trying to bring NHL to Hampton Roads |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]] |date=October 16, 1996 |page=C1 }}</ref> Shinn met several times with local officials and indicated that he was looking at both Norfolk and [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], [[North Carolina]] as potential cities to develop an expansion bid.<ref name="October 16, 1996"/> Shinn indicated that if awarded as franchise it would be called the Rhinos with the team colors being teal, purple and blue.<ref name="October 22, 1996">{{cite news |title=Shinn almost set to pick NHL site |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=October 22, 1996 |page=C5 }}</ref> On November 1, 1996, Shinn officially submitted an application to the NHL for one of the four expansion franchise slots to play in Norfolk.<ref name="Jan 15, 1997">{{cite news |ref=harv|title= Shinn makes pitch to NHL Rhinos would play in Norfolk Arena|first= Bill |last=Geroux |authorlink= |author2= |url= http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/timesdispatch/access/14538029.html?dids=14538029:14538029&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+15%2C+1997&author=Bill+Geroux+Times-Dispatch+Staff+Writer&pub=Richmond+Times+-+Dispatch&desc=SHINN+MAKES+PITCH+TO+NHL+RHINOS+WOULD+PLAY+IN+NORFOLK+ARENA&pqatl=google|format= |newspaper=[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]]|publisher= |location= |isbn= |issn= |oclc= |bibcode= |doi= |id= |date=January 15, 1997|page=E.1 |pages= |at= |accessdate= July 26, 2010 |language= |quote= |archiveurl= |archivedate= }}</ref><ref name="Nov 18, 1996">{{cite news |ref=harv|title= The Rhinos if Hockey comes, it should call home 'Hampton Roads'|first= |last=|authorlink= |author2= |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/dailypress/access/86119432.html?dids=86119432:86119432&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+18%2C+1996&author=&pub=Daily+Press&desc=THE+RHINOS+IF+HOCKEY+COMES%2C+IT+SHOULD+CALL+HOME+%60HAMPTON+ROADS%27&pqatl=google |format= |newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press - Newport News, Va]]|publisher= |location= |isbn= |issn= |oclc= |bibcode= |doi= |id= |date=Nov 18, 1996|page= A.6|pages= |at= |accessdate= July 26, 2010 |language= |quote= |archiveurl= |archivedate= }}</ref><ref name="November 2, 1996">{{cite news |title=Area gets a shot at NHL team |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=November 2, 1996 |page=A1 }}</ref><ref name= "Reilly-Schweihs p. 393">{{harvnb|Reilly|Schweihs|1999|p=393}}</ref> At the time of application the [[Hampton Roads]] was the largest metropolitan area in the United States without a major professional sports franchise and was in competition with [[Atlanta]], [[Houston]], [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]], [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]], [[Oklahoma City]] and Raleigh for a franchise.<ref name="November 2, 1996"/> At this time Shinn also indicated if an expansion franchise was not awarded to the city, he would look to relocate an existing franchise to Norfolk if an arena was constructed and [[season ticket]] sales were positive.<ref name="November 4, 1996">{{cite news |title=Shinn says he'll move a team here if expansion bid fails |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=November 4, 1996 |page=A1 }}</ref> Following the announcement of the bid, Shinn initiated a season ticket drive with the stated goal of selling 10,000 with deposits of $100 per ticket.<ref name="November 6, 1996">{{cite news |title=Shinn, Rhinos goal: 10,000 season tickets |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=November 6, 1996 |page=C1 }}</ref> Although season ticket sales only reached 5,160 sold of the stated goal of 10,000 by January 1997, Rhinos officials remained optimistic about their chances of securing an expansion franchise.<ref name="January 11, 1997">{{cite news |title=Rhinos' ticket sales fall short of Shinn's goals |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 11, 1997 |page=A9 }}</ref>
By 1996 [[George Shinn]], owner of the then [[Charlotte Hornets]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), indicated that he was looking to the Hampton Roads as a potential location for an NHL expansion team.<ref name="October 16, 1996">{{cite news |title=NBA owner mulls trying to bring NHL to Hampton Roads |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]] |date=October 16, 1996 |page=C1 }}</ref> Shinn met several times with local officials and indicated that he was looking at both Norfolk and [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], [[North Carolina]] as potential cities to develop an expansion bid.<ref name="October 16, 1996"/> Shinn indicated that if awarded a franchise it would be called the Rhinos with the team colors being teal, purple and blue.<ref name="October 22, 1996">{{cite news |title=Shinn almost set to pick NHL site |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=October 22, 1996 |page=C5 }}</ref> On November 1, 1996, Shinn officially submitted an application to the NHL for one of the four expansion franchise slots to play in Norfolk.<ref name="Jan 15, 1997">{{cite news |title= Shinn makes pitch to NHL Rhinos would play in Norfolk Arena|first= Bill |last=Geroux |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/timesdispatch/access/14538029.html?dids=14538029:14538029&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+15%2C+1997&author=Bill+Geroux+Times-Dispatch+Staff+Writer&pub=Richmond+Times+-+Dispatch&desc=SHINN+MAKES+PITCH+TO+NHL+RHINOS+WOULD+PLAY+IN+NORFOLK+ARENA&pqatl=google|newspaper=[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]]|date=January 15, 1997|page=E.1 |access-date= July 26, 2010}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="Nov 18, 1996">{{cite news |title= The Rhinos if Hockey comes, it should call home 'Hampton Roads'|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/dailypress/access/86119432.html?dids=86119432:86119432&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+18%2C+1996&author=&pub=Daily+Press&desc=THE+RHINOS+IF+HOCKEY+COMES%2C+IT+SHOULD+CALL+HOME+%60HAMPTON+ROADS%27&pqatl=google |newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press - Newport News, Va]]|date=Nov 18, 1996|page= A.6|access-date= July 26, 2010}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="November 2, 1996">{{cite news |title=Area gets a shot at NHL team |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=November 2, 1996 |page=A1 }}</ref><ref name= "Reilly-Schweihs p. 393">{{harvnb|Reilly|Schweihs|1999|p=393}}</ref> At the time of application the [[Hampton Roads]] was the largest metropolitan area in the United States without a major professional sports franchise and was in competition with [[Atlanta]], [[Houston]], [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]], [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]], [[Oklahoma City]] and Raleigh for a franchise.<ref name="November 2, 1996"/> At this time Shinn also indicated if an expansion franchise was not awarded to the city, he would look to relocate an existing franchise to Norfolk if an arena was constructed and [[season ticket]] sales were positive.<ref name="November 4, 1996">{{cite news |title=Shinn says he'll move a team here if expansion bid fails |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=November 4, 1996 |page=A1 }}</ref> Following the announcement of the bid, Shinn initiated a season ticket drive with the stated goal of selling 10,000 with deposits of $100 per ticket.<ref name="November 6, 1996">{{cite news |title=Shinn, Rhinos goal: 10,000 season tickets |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=November 6, 1996 |page=C1 }}</ref> Although season ticket sales only reached 5,160 sold of the stated goal of 10,000 by January 1997, Rhinos officials remained optimistic about their chances of securing an expansion franchise.<ref name="January 11, 1997">{{cite news |title=Rhinos' ticket sales fall short of Shinn's goals |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 11, 1997 |page=A9 }}</ref>


With an agreement in principle for the construction of an arena,<ref name="January 10, 1997">{{cite news |title=Area, Shinn strike arena deal |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 10, 1997 |page=A1 }}</ref> Shinn and the Rhinos ownership met with [[Gary Bettman]] and other NHL officials in [[New York City|New York]] to make their official pitch for one of the expansion franchises.<ref name="January 15, 1997_2">{{cite news |title=Big-league pitch for region, Rhinos |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 15, 1997 |page=A1 }}</ref> Leaving the meetings, once thought to be a long shot, some present for the Rhinos' presentation stated Hampton Roads had moved up as the fourth option for expansion with Columbus.<ref name="January 19, 1997">{{cite news |title=Shinn boosts odds for Rhinos |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 19, 1997 |page=A1 }}</ref> Furthermore, [[Hartford Whalers]] owner [[Peter Karmanos, Jr.]] was so impressed with the presentation that he stated he would now consider moving the franchise to Norfolk if an expansion franchise was not awarded for the [[1997–98 NHL season|1997-98 season]].<ref name="January 15, 1997_3">{{cite news |title=Whalers owner impressed by region: He considers moving his team here |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 15, 1997 |page=A9 }}</ref> However, on February 19, 1997, the NHL turned down Shinn's bid to bring a franchise to Norfolk.<ref name="March 11, 2007">{{cite news |ref=harv|title= Big-league sports not on the horizon for Norfolk|first= Harry|last=Minium|authorlink= |author2= |url=http://hamptonroads.com/node/235181 |format= |newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|publisher= |location= |isbn= |issn= |oclc= |bibcode= |doi= |id= |date=March 11, 2007|page= |pages= |at= |accessdate= July 26, 2010 |language= |quote= |archiveurl= |archivedate= }}</ref><ref name="February 20, 1997">{{cite news |title=Game over: NHL decides that the puck won't stop in Hampton Roads |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=February 20, 1997 |page=A1 }}</ref> The league stated the region's East Coast location, lack of political unity and relatively small size as being the factors leading to the league rejecting the Norfolk bid.<ref name="February 20, 1997"/> Although Shinn indicated he would move an existing franchise if not granted an expansion franchise, the Whalers relocated to Raleigh and became the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] in May 1997.<ref name="June 10, 2002">{{cite news |title=A dream in Norfolk became reality in Raleigh |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]] |date=June 10, 2002 |page=C7 }}</ref> The ability to attract an NHL team to Norfolk ended with this relocation as the Hurricanes would be in too close proximity to a Norfolk franchise.<ref name="June 10, 2002"/>
With an agreement in principle for the construction of an arena,<ref name="January 10, 1997">{{cite news |title=Area, Shinn strike arena deal |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 10, 1997 |page=A1 }}</ref> Shinn and the Rhinos ownership met with [[Gary Bettman]] and other NHL officials in [[New York City|New York]] to make their official pitch for one of the expansion franchises.<ref name="January 15, 1997_2">{{cite news |title=Big-league pitch for region, Rhinos |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 15, 1997 |page=A1 }}</ref> Leaving the meetings, once thought to be a long shot, some present for the Rhinos' presentation stated Hampton Roads had moved up as the fourth option for expansion with Columbus.<ref name="January 19, 1997">{{cite news |title=Shinn boosts odds for Rhinos |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 19, 1997 |page=A1 }}</ref> Furthermore, [[Hartford Whalers]] owner [[Peter Karmanos, Jr.]] was so impressed with the presentation that he stated he would now consider moving the franchise to Norfolk if an expansion franchise was not awarded for the [[1997–98 NHL season|1997-98 season]].<ref name="January 15, 1997_3">{{cite news |title=Whalers owner impressed by region: He considers moving his team here |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 15, 1997 |page=A9 }}</ref> However, on February 19, 1997, the NHL turned down Shinn's bid to bring a franchise to Norfolk.<ref name="March 11, 2007">{{cite news |title= Big-league sports not on the horizon for Norfolk|first= Harry|last=Minium|url=http://hamptonroads.com/node/235181|newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|date=March 11, 2007|access-date= July 26, 2010}}</ref><ref name="February 20, 1997">{{cite news |title=Game over: NHL decides that the puck won't stop in Hampton Roads |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=February 20, 1997 |page=A1 }}</ref> The league stated the region's East Coast location, lack of political unity, relatively small size and location, which was near the home territory of the [[Washington Capitals]] as being the factors leading to the league rejecting the Norfolk bid.<ref name="February 20, 1997"/> Although Shinn indicated he would move an existing franchise if not granted an expansion franchise, the Whalers relocated to Raleigh and became the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] in May 1997.<ref name="June 10, 2002">{{cite news |title=A dream in Norfolk became reality in Raleigh |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]] |date=June 10, 2002 |page=C7 }}</ref> The ability to attract an NHL team to Norfolk ended with this relocation as the Hurricanes would be in too close proximity to a Norfolk franchise.<ref name="June 10, 2002"/>


==Proposed arena==
==Proposed arena==
In November 1996, Shinn announced that his preferred site for an arena would be in [[Downtown Norfolk, Virginia|Downtown Norfolk]] between the [[Norfolk Scope]] and the [[MacArthur Center]]. The location was selected over a site adjacent to [[Harbor Park]] and one adjacent to [[Regent University]] in [[Virginia Beach]] due to its central location within the greater [[Hampton Roads]] region.<ref name="November 6, 1996"/> The final location for the proposed arena was to be in the block bound by St. Paul's Boulevard, Monticello and Brambleton Avenues, and would require the demolition of a then [[Howard Johnson's|Howard Johnson hotel]].<ref name="January 13, 1997">{{cite news |title=Rhinos 101: On the eve of Hampton Roads' pitch to the NHL, Here's everything you need to know |first=Harry |last=Minium |author2=Karen Weintraub |author3=Ed Miller |author4=Mylene Mangalindan |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 13, 1997 |page=A6 }}</ref> In January 1997, Shinn and area leaders came to an agreement as to how to finance construction of the arena.<ref name="January 10, 1997"/><ref name="January 11, 1997">{{cite news |title=Arena deal set for Tidewater |last=The Associated Press |newspaper=Richmond Times-Dispatch |date=January 11, 1997 |page=D5 }}</ref>
In November 1996, Shinn announced that his preferred site for an arena would be in [[Downtown Norfolk, Virginia|Downtown Norfolk]] between the [[Norfolk Scope]] and the [[MacArthur Center]]. The location was selected over a site adjacent to [[Harbor Park]] and one adjacent to [[Regent University]] in [[Virginia Beach]] due to its central location within the greater [[Hampton Roads]] region.<ref name="November 6, 1996"/> The final location for the proposed arena was to be in the block bound by St. Paul's Boulevard, Monticello and Brambleton Avenues, and would require the demolition of a then [[Howard Johnson's|Howard Johnson hotel]].<ref name="January 13, 1997">{{cite news |title=Rhinos 101: On the eve of Hampton Roads' pitch to the NHL, Here's everything you need to know |first=Harry |last=Minium |author2=Karen Weintraub |author3=Ed Miller |author4=Mylene Mangalindan |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 13, 1997 |page=A6 }}</ref> In January 1997, Shinn and area leaders came to an agreement as to how to finance construction of the arena.<ref name="January 10, 1997"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Arena deal set for Tidewater |last=The Associated Press |newspaper=Richmond Times-Dispatch |date=January 11, 1997 |page=D5 }}</ref>


The proposed facility would have had seating for approximately 20,000 spectators and a [[Multi-storey car park|parking garage]] for 1,000 vehicles at a cost of an estimated $143 million and be under the ownership of the Hampton Roads Sports Facility Authority. Its construction costs would come from the sale of 30-year [[municipal bond]]s issued by the Hampton Roads Sports Facility Authority with an estimated annual debt payment of $8.8 million.<ref name="January 13, 1997"/> The payments would come from a combination of taxes generated by the arena (estimated at $4.8 million), contributions from area localities ($2.3 million), rent from the Rhinos ($1 million) and arena [[naming rights]] ($700,000). The area localities contributing to the debt payment on the arena included the [[List of cities in Virginia|cities]] of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, [[Chesapeake, Virginia|Chesapeake]], [[Portsmouth, Virginia|Portsmouth]], [[Suffolk, Virginia|Suffolk]], [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]], [[Hampton, Virginia|Hampton]], [[Poquoson, Virginia|Poquoson]], [[Williamsburg, Virginia|Williamsburg]] and [[Franklin, Virginia|Franklin]], and [[List of counties in Virginia|counties]] of [[Isle of Wight County, Virginia|Isle of Wight]], [[York County, Virginia|York]], [[Gloucester County, Virginia|Gloucester]], [[Southampton County, Virginia|Southampton]] and [[James City County, Virginia|James City]].<ref name="January 13, 1997"/>
The proposed facility would have had seating for approximately 20,000 spectators and a [[Multi-storey car park|parking garage]] for 1,000 vehicles at a cost of an estimated $143 million and be under the ownership of the Hampton Roads Sports Facility Authority. Its construction costs would come from the sale of 30-year [[municipal bond]]s issued by the Hampton Roads Sports Facility Authority with an estimated annual debt payment of $8.8 million.<ref name="January 13, 1997"/> The payments would come from a combination of taxes generated by the arena (estimated at $4.8 million), contributions from area localities ($2.3 million), rent from the Rhinos ($1 million) and arena [[naming rights]] ($700,000). The area localities contributing to the debt payment on the arena included the [[List of cities in Virginia|cities]] of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, [[Chesapeake, Virginia|Chesapeake]], [[Portsmouth, Virginia|Portsmouth]], [[Suffolk, Virginia|Suffolk]], [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]], [[Hampton, Virginia|Hampton]], [[Poquoson, Virginia|Poquoson]], [[Williamsburg, Virginia|Williamsburg]] and [[Franklin, Virginia|Franklin]], and [[List of counties in Virginia|counties]] of [[Isle of Wight County, Virginia|Isle of Wight]], [[York County, Virginia|York]], [[Gloucester County, Virginia|Gloucester]], [[Southampton County, Virginia|Southampton]] and [[James City County, Virginia|James City]].<ref name="January 13, 1997"/>


In mid-January, the Hampton Roads Partnership announced construction of the arena would generate an annual profit of $777,000.<ref name="January 16, 1997">{{cite news |title=Report: Arena would yield surplus |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 16, 1997 |page=A1 }}</ref> However by the end of the month, all of the respective mayors and county commissioners determined that votes would be delayed relevant to financing arena construction until the NHL awarded the Hampton Roads an expansion franchise.<ref name="January 25, 1997">{{cite news |title=Area delays arena vote until NHL decision |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 25, 1997 |page=A1 }}</ref> By mid-February the [[Virginia General Assembly]] passed legislation allowing for some of the [[sales tax]] generated by the proposed arena to be used in debt repayment.<ref name="February 14, 1997">{{cite news |title=Arena proposal clears hurdle in the Assembly |first=Robert |last=Little |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=February 14, 1997 |page=B3 }}</ref> With the league rejecting the Norfolk expansion bid, the proposed arena was not constructed.<ref name="February 20, 1997"/>
In mid-January, the Hampton Roads Sports Facility Authority announced construction of the arena would generate an annual profit of $777,000.<ref name="January 16, 1997">{{cite news |title=Report: Arena would yield surplus |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 16, 1997 |page=A1 }}</ref> However, by the end of the month, all of the respective mayors and county commissioners determined that votes would be delayed relevant to financing arena construction until the NHL awarded Hampton Roads an expansion franchise.<ref name="January 25, 1997">{{cite news |title=Area delays arena vote until NHL decision |first=Harry |last=Minium |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=January 25, 1997 |page=A1 }}</ref> By mid-February the [[Virginia General Assembly]] passed legislation allowing for some of the [[sales tax]] generated by the proposed arena to be used in debt repayment.<ref name="February 14, 1997">{{cite news |title=Arena proposal clears hurdle in the Assembly |first=Robert |last=Little |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |date=February 14, 1997 |page=B3 }}</ref> With the league rejecting the Norfolk expansion bid, the proposed arena was not constructed.<ref name="February 20, 1997"/>


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
Line 31: Line 30:
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}
;References
;References
*{{cite book |ref=harv|last=Reilly|first=Robert F.|last2=Schweihs|first2=Robert P.| title = Handbook of advanced business valuation|edition=1999|year=1999| publisher = [[McGraw-Hill|McGraw-Hill Professional]]| isbn= 978-0-07-134769-3}} <small>- Total pages: 512 </small>
*{{cite book|last=Reilly|first=Robert F.|last2=Schweihs|first2=Robert P.|title=Handbook of advanced business valuation|edition=1999|year=1999|publisher=[[McGraw-Hill|McGraw-Hill Professional]]|isbn=978-0-07-134769-3|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/handbookofadvanc00reil}} <small>- Total pages: 512 </small>


[[Category:Sports in Norfolk, Virginia]]
[[Category:Sports in Norfolk, Virginia]]
[[Category:Ice hockey teams in Virginia]]
[[Category:Ice hockey in Virginia]]
[[Category:National Hockey League expansion]]
[[Category:National Hockey League expansion teams]]

Latest revision as of 16:37, 28 July 2024

Hampton Roads Rhinos
LeagueNational Hockey League
Team historyProposed expansion franchise in 1997
Based inNorfolk, Virginia
ArenaUnbuilt Downtown Norfolk arena
ColorsTeal, purple, blue
OwnerGeorge Shinn

The Hampton Roads Rhinos were a potential National Hockey League expansion team that was to begin play in the late-1990s in Norfolk, Virginia. The franchise would have been under the ownership of George Shinn and play in a proposed $142 million arena to be constructed in Downtown Norfolk. After making a push to sell season tickets and reaching an agreement in principle to construct the arena, the NHL rejected the Norfolk bid for an expansion franchise in February 1997. By the following May, the prospect of an NHL franchise calling Hampton Roads home ended with the relocation of the Hartford Whalers to Raleigh, North Carolina, less than 190 miles (310 km) southwest of Norfolk.

History

[edit]

The prospect of attracting an NHL franchise to Norfolk was initially explored in the early 1990s. An NHL franchise became the best option in attracting a professional sports team to the region based on its lower expansion fee (approximately $50 million in 1994) and the success of the Hampton Roads Admirals of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) during the late 1980s and early 1990s.[1] In November 1994, the Hampton Roads Sports Authority released a report indicating the region could support an NHL franchise and that in order to attract one a 20,000-seat arena would have to be constructed as both the Norfolk Scope and Hampton Coliseum were too small to host an NHL team.[2]

By 1996 George Shinn, owner of the then Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA), indicated that he was looking to the Hampton Roads as a potential location for an NHL expansion team.[3] Shinn met several times with local officials and indicated that he was looking at both Norfolk and Raleigh, North Carolina as potential cities to develop an expansion bid.[3] Shinn indicated that if awarded a franchise it would be called the Rhinos with the team colors being teal, purple and blue.[4] On November 1, 1996, Shinn officially submitted an application to the NHL for one of the four expansion franchise slots to play in Norfolk.[5][6][7][8] At the time of application the Hampton Roads was the largest metropolitan area in the United States without a major professional sports franchise and was in competition with Atlanta, Houston, Nashville, Columbus, Hamilton, St. Paul, Oklahoma City and Raleigh for a franchise.[7] At this time Shinn also indicated if an expansion franchise was not awarded to the city, he would look to relocate an existing franchise to Norfolk if an arena was constructed and season ticket sales were positive.[9] Following the announcement of the bid, Shinn initiated a season ticket drive with the stated goal of selling 10,000 with deposits of $100 per ticket.[10] Although season ticket sales only reached 5,160 sold of the stated goal of 10,000 by January 1997, Rhinos officials remained optimistic about their chances of securing an expansion franchise.[11]

With an agreement in principle for the construction of an arena,[12] Shinn and the Rhinos ownership met with Gary Bettman and other NHL officials in New York to make their official pitch for one of the expansion franchises.[13] Leaving the meetings, once thought to be a long shot, some present for the Rhinos' presentation stated Hampton Roads had moved up as the fourth option for expansion with Columbus.[14] Furthermore, Hartford Whalers owner Peter Karmanos, Jr. was so impressed with the presentation that he stated he would now consider moving the franchise to Norfolk if an expansion franchise was not awarded for the 1997-98 season.[15] However, on February 19, 1997, the NHL turned down Shinn's bid to bring a franchise to Norfolk.[16][17] The league stated the region's East Coast location, lack of political unity, relatively small size and location, which was near the home territory of the Washington Capitals as being the factors leading to the league rejecting the Norfolk bid.[17] Although Shinn indicated he would move an existing franchise if not granted an expansion franchise, the Whalers relocated to Raleigh and became the Carolina Hurricanes in May 1997.[18] The ability to attract an NHL team to Norfolk ended with this relocation as the Hurricanes would be in too close proximity to a Norfolk franchise.[18]

Proposed arena

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In November 1996, Shinn announced that his preferred site for an arena would be in Downtown Norfolk between the Norfolk Scope and the MacArthur Center. The location was selected over a site adjacent to Harbor Park and one adjacent to Regent University in Virginia Beach due to its central location within the greater Hampton Roads region.[10] The final location for the proposed arena was to be in the block bound by St. Paul's Boulevard, Monticello and Brambleton Avenues, and would require the demolition of a then Howard Johnson hotel.[19] In January 1997, Shinn and area leaders came to an agreement as to how to finance construction of the arena.[12][20]

The proposed facility would have had seating for approximately 20,000 spectators and a parking garage for 1,000 vehicles at a cost of an estimated $143 million and be under the ownership of the Hampton Roads Sports Facility Authority. Its construction costs would come from the sale of 30-year municipal bonds issued by the Hampton Roads Sports Facility Authority with an estimated annual debt payment of $8.8 million.[19] The payments would come from a combination of taxes generated by the arena (estimated at $4.8 million), contributions from area localities ($2.3 million), rent from the Rhinos ($1 million) and arena naming rights ($700,000). The area localities contributing to the debt payment on the arena included the cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, Williamsburg and Franklin, and counties of Isle of Wight, York, Gloucester, Southampton and James City.[19]

In mid-January, the Hampton Roads Sports Facility Authority announced construction of the arena would generate an annual profit of $777,000.[21] However, by the end of the month, all of the respective mayors and county commissioners determined that votes would be delayed relevant to financing arena construction until the NHL awarded Hampton Roads an expansion franchise.[22] By mid-February the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation allowing for some of the sales tax generated by the proposed arena to be used in debt repayment.[23] With the league rejecting the Norfolk expansion bid, the proposed arena was not constructed.[17]

Bibliography

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Notes
  1. ^ Robinson, Tom (June 22, 1994). "And our best bet to return to the bigs might be with the NHL". The Virginian-Pilot. p. C4.
  2. ^ Mangalindan, Mylene (November 19, 1994). "Study says new arena could draw a NHL team". The Virginian-Pilot. p. C1.
  3. ^ a b Minium, Harry (October 16, 1996). "NBA owner mulls trying to bring NHL to Hampton Roads". The Virginian-Pilot. p. C1.
  4. ^ "Shinn almost set to pick NHL site". The Virginian-Pilot. October 22, 1996. p. C5.
  5. ^ Geroux, Bill (January 15, 1997). "Shinn makes pitch to NHL Rhinos would play in Norfolk Arena". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. E.1. Retrieved July 26, 2010.[dead link‍]
  6. ^ "The Rhinos if Hockey comes, it should call home 'Hampton Roads'". Daily Press - Newport News, Va. Nov 18, 1996. p. A.6. Retrieved July 26, 2010.[dead link‍]
  7. ^ a b Minium, Harry (November 2, 1996). "Area gets a shot at NHL team". The Virginian-Pilot. p. A1.
  8. ^ Reilly & Schweihs 1999, p. 393
  9. ^ Minium, Harry (November 4, 1996). "Shinn says he'll move a team here if expansion bid fails". The Virginian-Pilot. p. A1.
  10. ^ a b Minium, Harry (November 6, 1996). "Shinn, Rhinos goal: 10,000 season tickets". The Virginian-Pilot. p. C1.
  11. ^ Minium, Harry (January 11, 1997). "Rhinos' ticket sales fall short of Shinn's goals". The Virginian-Pilot. p. A9.
  12. ^ a b Minium, Harry (January 10, 1997). "Area, Shinn strike arena deal". The Virginian-Pilot. p. A1.
  13. ^ Minium, Harry (January 15, 1997). "Big-league pitch for region, Rhinos". The Virginian-Pilot. p. A1.
  14. ^ Minium, Harry (January 19, 1997). "Shinn boosts odds for Rhinos". The Virginian-Pilot. p. A1.
  15. ^ Minium, Harry (January 15, 1997). "Whalers owner impressed by region: He considers moving his team here". The Virginian-Pilot. p. A9.
  16. ^ Minium, Harry (March 11, 2007). "Big-league sports not on the horizon for Norfolk". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  17. ^ a b c Minium, Harry (February 20, 1997). "Game over: NHL decides that the puck won't stop in Hampton Roads". The Virginian-Pilot. p. A1.
  18. ^ a b Minium, Harry (June 10, 2002). "A dream in Norfolk became reality in Raleigh". The Virginian-Pilot. p. C7.
  19. ^ a b c Minium, Harry; Karen Weintraub; Ed Miller; Mylene Mangalindan (January 13, 1997). "Rhinos 101: On the eve of Hampton Roads' pitch to the NHL, Here's everything you need to know". The Virginian-Pilot. p. A6.
  20. ^ The Associated Press (January 11, 1997). "Arena deal set for Tidewater". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. D5.
  21. ^ Minium, Harry (January 16, 1997). "Report: Arena would yield surplus". The Virginian-Pilot. p. A1.
  22. ^ Minium, Harry (January 25, 1997). "Area delays arena vote until NHL decision". The Virginian-Pilot. p. A1.
  23. ^ Little, Robert (February 14, 1997). "Arena proposal clears hurdle in the Assembly". The Virginian-Pilot. p. B3.
References
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