Lightning sale terminated

Tampa, Florida — The Tampa Bay Lightning has terminated its agreement to sell the hockey team to a group of investors.

Florida Real Estate developer Jeff Sherrin, TV show executive producer Oren Koules, and long-time hockey executive Doug MacClean were three of the principals in Absolute Hockey Enterprises, the group which was trying to purchase the Tampa Bay Lightning.

On November 14, 2007, the Lightning terminated the agreement because Absolute failed to comply with the terms of the purchase.

The current owners are still hopeful they will be able to sell the hockey team to Absolute Hockey Enterprises or members of that group, although there is no current agreement in place.

The Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004, and has made the playoffs four consecutive seasons. Last season the Lightning finished third in the NHL in average attendance, averaging more than 19,877 fans per game.

Except for the Stanley Cup year, current owners say they've lost more than 60-million dollars on the Lightning.