Lamar Hunt Jr.’s Loretto Sports acquires Kansas City Mavericks

Lamar Hunt Jr.’s Loretto Sports acquires Missouri Mavericks:  Loretto Sports Ventures, LLC, a company owned by Lamar Hunt, Jr., has announced that it purchased the Kansas City Mavericks of the East Coast Hockey League and that Lamar Hunt, Jr. had been approved for ownership status by the ECHL Board Of Directors.  The ECHL is considered the premier AA professional hockey league, and the Mavs play their home games at the Independence Events Center in Independence, Missouri.

At the press conference, Lamar said that “today is an exciting day for the Kansas City Mavericks and our great fans.  Since 2009, the Mavericks have been an exemplary hockey franchise.  I have seen firsthand how the team and staff come together to create a competitive product on the ice, as well as an exhilarating game day experience at Independence Events Center. We are pleased to have the opportunity to build upon the foundation of success the team has established and can’t wait to get started.”

The Kansas City Mavericks entered a new era for the 2014-15 season after a historic move to the ECHL.  Last October, the Mavericks, along with six other teams of the former Central Hockey League (CHL), were formally accepted as expansion member teams into the ECHL.  The Mavs have made the playoffs in each of their first five seasons, including winning the 2014 Bud Poile Governor’s Cup, capping a season of franchise record regular-season wins (44).   The Mavs have been awarded numerous community and league awards over the years, including the Harry S. Truman Special Community Service Recognition Award by the City of Independence, and claiming Central Hockey League Franchise of the Year for the past four straight seasons.  The Kansas City Mavericks are proud to be Kansas City’s only professional hockey team and are dedicated to furthering the values and skill-level of hockey players and fans throughout the metro area.

“Lamar’s sports acumen and dedication to the community will immediately impact the success of our team,” said Mavericks General Manager, Brent Thiessen. “It ensures our long-term future in Kansas City and we are excited to help him take the franchise to the next level.”

“We proudly welcome Lamar Hunt, Jr. to the ECHL,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. “The Kansas City Mavericks have been a welcome addition to our league and the new ownership group provides a strong local tie to what has been a great city for our sport.”  Under the new ownership, the Mavericks will seek to raise the profile of the team regionally, seek affiliation with an NHL franchise and expand existing youth hockey programs in the Kansas City area.