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Koules takes control of Lightning - for now

September 21, 2009 07:43 PM | Posted by   Elliotte Friedman  

The future of the Tampa Bay Lightning is now in Oren Koules' hands.

Multiple sources confirm that Len Barrie's window to buy out his co-owner is now closed.

What's most interesting is that Barrie's drop-dead date was supposed to be Wednesday, but his pursuit came to a premature conclusion when he couldn't meet several conditions along the way.

(Barrie and Koules both declined to be interviewed for this blog).

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman intervened in the Lightning mess when it became clear that the two primary owners could not continue their partnership.

Barrie and Koules disagreed on several critical issues, including whether or not to trade Vincent Lecavalier.

Barrie was given the first opportunity to put together enough financing to buy out Koules' share, but failed.

Koules, who played three seasons of junior hockey in the WHL, now has until Nov. 23 to put together a package of his own.

He is now working with one potential partner, a real estate investor named Jeff Greene.

As if the Lightning's ownership situation wasn't strange enough, The St. Petersburg Times reported earlier this month that Mike Tyson was the best man at Greene's wedding.

However, if Koules can't close the deal, there is an interested third party.

Sansone looks at Lightning

Last Thursday, Tony Sansone Jr. met with the NHL at its New York offices.

Sansone, a St. Louis-based businessman who once considered buying the Blues, was originally talking with Barrie but is now looking into the possibility of buying the Lightning on his own.

(He did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.)

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the meeting, but warned that it would be "premature" to say that Sansone is a serious contender to be the Lightning's next owner.

"This is still in the very exploratory stages," Daly said.

Plus, Koules is now in control.

If he can buy out Barrie by late November, it won't matter who else is interested.

I can tell you one thing, though.

The league – and the Lightning – can't wait for this saga to end.

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