San Francisco Bulls Hockey Team May Go Out Of Business Or Move
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— The San Francisco Bulls hockey team may go out of business, as soon as next week as the team struggles in their second money-losing season. There's also a chance the Bulls could be sold and move either to Oakland or to Fresno.
The minor-league affiliate of the San Jose Sharks plays at the Cow Palace as part of the ECHL (formerly East Coast Hockey League), but is losing $2 million a year, according to their president and head coach Pat Curcio.
"Financially we cannot get through the year. We have an ownership group that's willing to take over the team, but there are a lot of things pending like a lease on a new facility because the Cow Palace is just not viable," he said.
The Bulls aren't the first team to learn the hard way that's it hard to make a go at the old Cow Palace. Curcio told KCBS some Bay Area people want to buy the team, from the mostly Canadian group that owns it now, and relocate either to Oracle Arena in Oakland, but the Golden State Warriors would have to okay sharing the arena.
Fresno is another option the group is looking into.
Curcio said if the sale of the team and a move to a viable venue isn't approved at a league meeting this Wednesday, the Bulls may just skate off into the sunset. "We're in a real tough spot. It's devastating. Many sleepless nights here, but I'm praying and have faith that hopefully this new ownership can take us over and save the Bulls."