Despite agreeing on a deal with the Lubbock City Council in October, the Texas Tech hockey team was unable to pay the first installment of its rent to the city Dec. 1.
Sean McDougle, president of the Tech hockey team, said three large corporations, whom he declined to name, committed to donate a large sum of money to the team but did not fulfill those commitments.
One of the corporations that committed to donate a six-figure sum, he said, has not backed out of donating the money but is taking longer to donate the money than expected.
"It's on the way," McDougle said. "It's a large amount but it's taking longer because of the holidays."
The city has been "uncooperative" with the team on extending the deadline, he said, although the city pushed back payment dates in October and November making the first payment in December.
"It is unbelievable how backwards and old-school the city is politically," McDougle said.
Because the team will not be playing in the City Bank Coliseum for the rest of the season, they negotiated a contract with the Odessa Central Hockey League team, the Odessa Jackalopes.
McDougle said the Jackelopes offered the Tech hockey team a greatly discounted rate, $100 per hour in a facility that normally would cost around $1,000 per hour, to play in their facility for the remainder of their home games, including the Red Raider Shootout and the Big 12 Conference Tournament.
Brien Rea, director of communications and broadcasting with the Odessa team, said they are happy they have an opportunity to promote hockey and support Tech.
Odessa is home to many Tech fans and alumni, Rea said, and that will help the Tech team feel at home as well as give the residents of Odessa a chance to see a Tech sport close to home.
Lubbock City Councilman Todd Klein said the two sides agreed on a rate, and the city even pro-rated the payments for the team, but he still feel sympathy for Tech hockey.
"My personal feeling is mostly disappointment for them," he said.
No ill will or hard feelings are present in the city council, Klein said, and "anything is in the cards" for possible future negotiations between the two sides.
The city also has been receptive to the team, Klein said, and cooperative with them in negotiations.
"Anything that might have occurred previously, I am very sympathetic to," he said.
Lubbock City Council refused to accept a contract with Tech hockey Sept. 25, citing the need for more money from the club and a lack of flexibility in scheduling other events for the coliseum. A contract finally was negotiated Oct. 14, requiring the hockey team to pay $20,000 more than required in the previous contract.
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