CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Are the Charlotte Checkers moving out of Uptown? There is a rumor spreading like wildfire that involves a developer and the building of a major sports complex in Matthews.
Will the Checkers go there?
The players say they're lucky to hit the ice at Time Warner Cable Arena.
"We're spoiled. It's top-notch, especially for this league," said team captain Jared Nightingale.
So why are the Charlotte Checkers supposedly looking to leave?
"I really have no idea. It's quite funny at this point," said Tera Black, the team's chief operating officer.
Supposedly a private developer is hoping to build a new arena in Matthews as part of a bigger sports and entertainment complex that’s hoping to have the Checkers call the new arena home. But Black says they weren't pitched anything. They went to the meetings to hear about more youth hockey programs.
As for actually moving the team, Black says, "That's something we haven't even considered as an option."
But the head of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Bureau, Mike Crum, says he's heard the team is considering moving to a new arena because it makes financial sense and because they have to share space with the Charlotte Bobcats.
"Overhead costs are above the norm for a team like the Checkers. And the struggles they have had obtaining weekend dates, it would be natural for them to explore other options," Crum said.
Again, Black says no -- saying the team is managing despite a rough economy. And she says the arena is a good idea, but not for the Checkers.
"It's nothing we're considering at this point. It's extremely far reaching," Black said. "I don't even see how it's an option at this point."
