RHI Is Back, but Bullfrogs Might Pass

Roller Hockey International unveiled its plan Saturday to return in 1999, but it is unclear whether the Bullfrogs will jump on board.

Former Pittsburgh Pirate executive and University of Denver administrator Bernie Mullin, the new president and CEO of RHI, said the league intends to play a 24-game schedule next summer with teams in Minnesota, New Jersey, Orlando, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Utah, San Diego, San Jose and St. Louis.

The Buffalo Wings and the Bullfrogs, former RHI teams now with Major League Roller Hockey, have been extended invitations to return, Mullin said, but on RHI terms. The league intends to own each team and logo, and makes all decisions including paying players and hiring coaches.

In return, each team owner would become like a franchise manager. Owners could keep revenue from ticket sales, most merchandising and some outside sales. Mullin said that RHI will pick-up about $300,000 a year in operating costs and player salaries would increase.

A disgruntled Bullfrogs founder Maury Silver compared that to giving away the pink slip to a car without getting full value. He believes that the Bullfrogs are worth about $2.5 million. He also said he is pleased with the direction MLRH is going.

Mullin said a six-year deal with Fox Sports Network that could be worth as much as $100 million is expected to be completed soon. It calls for 80 regular season games, five playoff games and the annual all-star game to be televised in prime time nationwide.

Founded in 1992, RHI went broke at the end of 1997. In March it secured a bridge loan of about $1.5 million and paid off creditors at about 50 cents on the dollar, Mullin said. As part of a restructuring, RHI intends to merge with Beachport Entertainment, which promotes live entertainment and arena concerts.

The merged companies plan to raise funds through a stock sale, perhaps later this year, and will build as many as four multipurpose sports and event facilities a year at a cost of about $3 million each. Some RHI teams would play in the facilities, while others might use them as practice venues. The buildings could also be used for professional indoor soccer, lacrosse, arena football, youth and adult leagues and concerts.