Titan staying in Bathurst for now

For now, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan are staying in northern New Brunswick.

In a Fix Auto press release, "potential new majority owner" Steve Leal said that the team would be staying in Bathurst with no "immediate plans" to relocate the club.

"We are committed to keeping the team in the community for the foreseeable future," said Leal, the majority owner, president and CEO of the Quebec-based Fix Network World. "There are no plans to take hockey out of Acadie-Bathurst."

The release noted that a "a strategic review of the team and its operations is currently being conducted."

"It would be an honour to be a part of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan team, and I recognize how important the program is to the Chaleur region and Acadian Peninsula," Leal said. "I am also pledging Fix Auto as a primary sponsor for the next five seasons and encourage others to join us in supporting the team through sponsorships as well as attending the games."

Following the news release, the Titan issued a statement.

With our fans uppermost in our hearts, as well as a concern for openness and transparency, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan wishes to acknowledge the press release produced by Fix Network and Mr. Steve Leal. As indicated in the press release, we will continue to negotiate with Mr. Leal in order to develop a solid and trustworthy partnership that will benefit the team.

It is important to note that the Acadie-Bathurst Titan shareholder group is working hard to develop solid ties in order to keep the team in the beautiful Chaleur region. The support of the fans, community, sponsors and partners is essential for the survival of a QMJHL team and we have no doubt that we will be witness to great moments in hockey within Baie des Chaleurs.

Go Titan Go!

RDS reported in April that Leal was close to acquiring 60% of the Titan. RDS also reported that Leal would like to operate a QMJHL club in Montreal's South Shore region - but that would require a new arena, something that seems several years off (if one ever gets built).

Monday's news is good news for Bathurst in the short-term. There are still plenty of questions about the long-term. The reality is, as it has been for years, that the Titan simply have to create more revenue, whether it's through increasing attendance, sponsorship or some other means. You don't have to be a sports business expert to know that the Titan's current situation is not sustainable. The economic conditions in that part of the province don't help, either.

The Titan averaged 1,728 fans per game last season, an increase of just over 100 fans per game from the 2019-20 campaign.

This will be a story to follow throughout the year (and maybe even longer). If a Montreal-area arena gets approved, things will get interesting.