The Vancouver Ravens continue to search for a willing sugar daddy who has the care and passion to keep the second-year semi-pro lacrosse team on the West Coast.
The Ravens have been on financial life support for two weeks after interim owner Paul Reinhart defaulted the franchise to the original ownership group, headed by Tom Mayenknecht.
Mayenknecht intends to meet the scheduled player payroll before tomorrow's National Lacrosse League game at GM Place against the New York Saints.
The Vancouver players were not paid on Feb. 14 after Reinhart stepped aside, citing mounting debts. Reinhart, a former National Hockey League player now in stocks promotions, did not complete a sales agreement with the group that founded the franchise for the 2001-02 NLL season.
"There are specific individuals that believe in the Vancouver Ravens and are interested in a positive solution," Mayenknecht said yesterday. "There also are some other interesting hybrids that have come into the mix over the last seven or eight days that we're not dismissing.
"Not a single avenue will be left unexplored. That is the for-sure commitment of the current franchise ownership."
Vancouver players are committed to fans for the rest of the season, Cam Sedgwick said, speaking on behalf of his teammates.
Ravens players earn between $10,000 and $13,000 (U.S.) a season, with the league salaries ranging from $7,500 to $18,500, a source close to the team said.
The Ravens averaged 10,211 fans last season, when Mayenknecht was the club's managing general partner and league governor. This season, crowds have been about 8,000 on average, although paid admissions are much fewer.
Vancouver has a 2-4 record this season and will make an eastern trip next month to Ottawa and Toronto, Mayenknecht said.
There have been suggestions the Vancouver team could be moved by next season, as several NHL cities have expressed interest in the NLL, perhaps anticipating more open arena dates in the event of an NHL labour stoppage in the fall of 2004.
NLL franchises in Toronto, Philadelphia and Denver apparently are successful operations. The first-year Colorado Mammoth have attracted near-sellout crowds at the Pepsi Center.
Mayenknecht confirmed that the Kroenke Sports Group, the owner of the Mammoth and the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, has been supportive of Vancouver and the financial shortfall.
"We've obviously looking for a Vancouver-based solution," Mayenknecht said, adding that surviving the season is the only focus. "We have the resources to meet our short-term obligations."
The Ravens plan to heavily promote a March 16 game in Vancouver against Colorado and popular star player Gary Gait, who was raised in Victoria and introduced to lacrosse in the Vancouver Island community.
Vancouver based its business model on the Toronto Rock franchise, Mayenknecht added, noting that it took the Rock at least three years before the club began turning a profit.
There are several issues at the league level that must be addressed, including the skipped payday. Any NLL team that misses two payrolls violates league rules.
The advance theme for tomorrow's game focuses on Boost the Ravens Playoff Hopes, with a New York-style bustier promotion. All women wearing bustiers will receive a ticket to a future game and be eligible for other prizes.