Belfast Giants abandon franchise after owner is revealed as registered sex offender

[blackngold]

In January, the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League (U.K.) – yep, the “All I Want For Christmas Is You” franchise – announced that American Christopher Knight had purchased the team, as Jim Gillespie sold a stake he had held since 2003.

It was supposed to be a new era for the Northern Ireland team. Alas, it was an era that ended only a few weeks later when it was revealed that Knight was actually a registered sex offender in Florida.

Knight, who made his money in the telecommunications industry, purchased the team for a reported £145,000 ($225,054.50 U.S.) in November, entering into an agreement with the Odyssey Trust, which owns and operates the Odyssey Arena. According to The Independent, Odyssey activated an out clause in its contract with the Giants after “major issues” about Knight came to light.

Like the fact he was charged in 2003 with engaging in sexual activity with “a person 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age.”

[...]

You may notice that Knight is listed as being close to 40 years old. When he purchased the team, it was announced he was 34. But then again, there was a bit he wasn't up front with.

A deadline was set for last Friday for Knight to sell the team, and it passed.

[...]

So, in essence, Christopher Knight owns a team that doesn’t have any players or an arena in which to play. Because his players and managerial staff collectively resigned.

FULL ARTICLE

[Humpzilla]

And oh course it happens in Broward, FL...

[FistofFury]

Theo played there. He's had bad luck playing for weirdos.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by FistofFury

Theo played there. He's had bad luck playing for weirdos.

Luckily for Theo, this pervert has only owned the team since this past November. Theo hasn't played there in years.

[GIANTSFAN]

I don't recognize him from the Dateline "to catch a predator" series.

[Stevens Lindros]

What's up with Broward County?

[OneilltheGiant]

Team and Organisation all resigned when the news broke, and now formed under a new set up run by the owners of the Odyssey Arena.


http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-29081158.html

Christopher Knight (39) had bought a majority shareholding in the ice hockey team — but players and staff have now walked away from their contracts.

The deal struck last November was reputedly worth £145,000.

But his reign hit the rocks after just two months when the company that operates the arena — the Odyssey Trust — moved against Mr Knight after claiming “major issues” came to its attention.

Glad the team done what they did. Hopefully the team goes on from here and finishes the season well.