Our Opinion: Ownership change is good for Bruins
Published 9:39 am Thursday, July 17, 2014
The announcement by the Austin Bruins Tuesday that local businessman Mike Cooper will be minority owner of the team was yet another pleasant turn for a team that already holds a high standing in the community.
In the nearly five years the team has been in Austin, the Bruins have taken extraordinary steps to not only become involved in the community, but to become an important and positive part of the community. Cooper’s step into ownership will do nothing but help further that effort — which has seen things like the Bruins’ Paint the Rink Pink swell into Paint the Town Pink — by putting a local face on the team.
Since their first season in 2010-11, the Bruins have swiftly become one of the most consistent and talented teams in the league. Adding someone of Cooper’s caliber will do nothing but further solidify the team’s standing.
What’s more, the announcement ends the harmful speculation and rumors that dogged the team as of late that had Patrick selling the team or even moving the team. No matter the level, rumors like these do nothing but hurt the team.
A major reason why the deal was kept under wraps was to avoid distracting the team and adding to the rumors already floating around until it was absolutely finalized. It was a solid, smooth and effortless transition that Bruins fans should be excited about.
Patrick and Cooper are excited about the future as the team comes off a Robertson Cup finals appearance last season and heads into its fifth season. And the community should be too.
The enthusiasm Cooper is adding looks to keep the Bruins an involved and successful part of this community for some time.