edmonton oilers sold for 200 million to local guy and lifelong fan...

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EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -Daryl Katz, the local pharmacy billionaire expected to be approved as the new owner of the Edmonton Oilers, promised Wednesday to be a hands-on executive who will demand minimal bureaucracy and maximum accountability.
"I believe the Oilers can benefit from that philosophy. Management will be empowered to make decisive decisions very quickly," the 46-year-old Katz said on a conference call.
"We will not spend time with committees and meetings, and I personally will be actively involved with senior executives on a day-to-day basis to discuss strategic and other issues."
Katz vowed to keep the Oilers in Edmonton, adding that since he's also trying to help finance a new arena for the NHL franchise, it would be foolish to move the team.
"I don't think you build a new building and make this kind of a commitment to a city with a view to moving the team. I just think it's ridiculous speculation," he said.
The NHL still has to approve the deal, a process that could take weeks or months, but league deputy commissioner Bill Daly has said he expects they will OK it.
Katz declined to assess the current state of the team - which is mired near the bottom of the standings and in danger of missing the playoffs for a second straight season - or speculate on changes he would make.
"It's way premature to talk about any kinds of personnel decisions," Katz said. "Every GM and coach in the National Hockey League knows there's no such thing as a job for life. At the same time, I think Oilers management are extremely dedicated and talented and have done very well."
On Tuesday, all 34 members of the Edmonton Investors Group that owned the Oilers for a decade agreed to sell Katz all 7,492 of their shares at $22,000 a share.
He has promised to put up $100 million for a new rink, build the team a practice facility and spend the maximum allowed under the salary cap. Katz said he'd like to see a new rink "as soon as possible" but will wait for a pending city report that will outline options for a new facility.
 

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