Thunder owners lay off staff, ponder return in 2010

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT

BOARDMAN — There’s a 50/50 chance of survival for the patient: the Mahoning Valley Thunder.

But, based on the layoff of the Thunder office staff on Friday, the prognosis for 2010 isn’t encouraging.

Then again, it could be a twofold sign that a recession and a losing season exacted a heavier toll than usual.

Co-owner Dr. Michael Slyk isn’t prescribing anything out of the ordinary.

“At this point, we’re doing the same we’ve done every year: cleaning up from the season before we evaluate, decide what to do next and then move forward. I’d say all options are on the table.”

That equates to a 50/50 chance of the team’s return for 2010.

“Like any team, we reduce staff and tend to kind of streamline for the offseason,” Slyk said. “That’s what we’re doing.”

Slyk, a co-owner along with Tim Chesney and Dr. Jon Saadey, won’t speculate on a time to announce the team’s fate to continue or shut down after a third straight losing season.

“There are a lot of things hanging out there, so it could be weeks,” Slyk said of the decision process.

“As we stated in the past, it’s just too early to tell right now. It’s not really any big story because we do the same thing every year.

“We’re going to evaluate what we’re going to do coming up because every year has its ups and every year has its downs.”

Although attendance for the team’s home games at the Chevy/Covelli Centre dropped from 3,713 to 2,398 through May 30, the numbers increased for the last three games including a season-high 3,893 for the finale on July 25 when special promotions were in effect.

The Thunder has a renewable lease with the facility, but stands on its own as an af2 entity.

“We own the [af2] franchise and elect at the end of every season whether we’re going to participate the following year or not,” Slyk said of the process that extends into the fall.

“We’ve said from the beginning: it’s all about community support. At this point, we have to take a harder look and make plans from there.”

Contacted at his home in Amarillo, Texas, Mahoning Valley coach Chris MacKeown clings to the belief that the owners are being cautious in their assessment.

“These things take time, sometimes weeks,” MacKeown said. “They do want to have it back, so they’re going to take time with it.”

MacKeown said that the office staff’s dismissal may not be out of the realm of reason.

“From my experience, it’s just a cost-saving thing. They can’t afford to pay those people.”

The coach appreciates the heads-up from Thunder owners that the team may not return.

“I know of other teams that have strung people along and then left them high and dry. The Thunder is trying to be up front by letting me know, but I know they’re trying like heck to get it together.”