In Brief : 1 Whaler Owner May Buy Out Other

One of the Hartford Whalers’ new owners, itching to make the team a long-term winner, may offer to buy out his partner in the team, according to a report published today.

Richard Gordon and Donald Conrad earlier this year purchased 75% of the National Hockey League franchise for $23.25 million from its corporate owners.

In separate interviews with the Hartford Courant, both men confirmed that the ownership agreement contains a buyout clause so that either can end the partnership in September, one year after the change in ownership.

But Gordon may not wait until then to buy out Conrad, the Courant, quoting unnamed sources, reported today. And if Gordon is rebuffed in his effort to buy out Conrad, he may pull out of the partnership, the newspaper reported.