PRINCETON, N.J. – The ECHL Board of Governors approved the sale of the two-time, defending Kelly Cup Champion Allen Americans, bringing to end months-long speculation that the team was on the market.
According to a press release from the ECHL, controlling interest was transferred from Steven Brothers Management of Allen, LLC to Allen Hockey Team, LLC, an entity controlled by Reading Royals Owner Jack Gulati.
“We welcome Jack as the new owner of the Allen Americans,” ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna said. “He knows our League very well and I know he is excited about the potential of the Allen market. We appreciate the Steven Brothers’ efforts as they achieved unprecedented success on the ice as two-time defending Kelly Cup champions.”
Gulati said he sees the possibility for the Americans to not only be successful on the ice, but financially as well.
Jack Gulati / Courtesy Reading Royals
“Today starts a new chapter for the Allen Americans Hockey Club and me,” Gulati said. “I’m very excited at the opportunity to help this organization grow off the ice. There is so much potential for this hockey team to be one of the top revenue members in the ECHL.”
“We already have one of the best teams in the league on the ice, under the guidance of Steve Martinson, now we need to make this team profitable off the ice,” Gulati added. “My goal is to see the Allen Event Center packed on a nightly basis. I already know from our players that we have some of the best fans in the league. I know with the support of our staff and the community, we can make this organization great again.”
Gulati, a University of Minnesota graduate, purchased the Reading Royals franchise in 2014.
In a separate press release, Team President Drew Bell assured Royals fans that the addition of the Americans to Gulati’s portfolio would have no impact on the Reading franchise.
“Jack is committed to the Royals and continuing the progress we have made this season,” Bell said.
“Reading is Jack’s home and his base and he has no intentions of abandoning it. My focus will remain 100% committed to the operations and continuing our successes here in Reading. If anything, this will help both clubs through mutually beneficial synergies and the ongoing collaboration of best practices between the clubs,” he added.
Allen Americans players mix it up with opponents from the Rapid City Rush during a recent home game at the Allen Event Center / Dianne Webster (PHN)
Steven Brothers Sports Management, owners of the Wichita Thunder and Tulsa Oilers, purchased the Americans in 2014 after the team became just the third CHL team to claim back-to-back Ray Miron President’s Cup championships. Since joining the ECHL in the 2014-15 season, the Americans went on to claim back-to-back Kelly Cup championships.
The group, made up of Brandon, Rodney and Johnny Steven of Wichita, joined the ranks of minor league sports ownership when they purchased the Thunder franchise in 2011. They expanded their ownership, adding the Oilers in 2013.
The announcement of the sale comes on the heels of a February 14 story published in the Wichita Eagle, identifying Brandon Steven as the subject of a federal inquiry into poker and his involvement in attempting to open a casino in Kansas.
With ECHL and Reading Royals releases
Contact the writer: John.Hall@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer: Dianne.Webster@prohockeynews.com
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