Buffalo, NY – Local businessman Mark Hamister submitted a bid Thursday to buy the Buffalo Sabres.
The National Hockey League confirmed that Hamister met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and submitted the bid. The league will now review the bid internally.
Hamister owns the Arena Football League's Buffalo Destroyers.
In recent months, a total of four groups have expressed interest in buying the Sabres, including a group led by junior hockey executive Sherry Bassin and Montreal trucking magnate Alan Maislin. Rochester businessman Thomas Golisano has also expressed interest in submitting a bid.
Bettman said last month that as soon as one or two bids come in, the league can move ahead with finding new ownership for the team.
While John Rigas is still technically the team owner, the NHL controls the Sabres' day-to-day operations. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-19-02 1842EDT