NHL club interested in moving south

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The owner of the minor league Oklahoma City Blazers says a National Hockey League franchise has contacted him about a potential move to Oklahoma City. <br><br>Businessman Bob Funk

Friday, April 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The owner of the minor league Oklahoma City Blazers says a National Hockey League franchise has contacted him about a potential move to Oklahoma City.

Businessman Bob Funk would not say which team made the call, but media reports in Canada and Oklahoma are that the Calgary Flames are interested in relocating. Oklahoma City was listed as one of four possibilities. The others are Kansas City, Houston and Portland, Ore.

Flames CEO Ron Bremner says he has not contacted Oklahoma City or any other American city about relocating the club.

"I have not initiated any calls to anyone in the United States," Bremner told The Calgary Herald.

Funk said he told city officials he would do whatever he could to be supportive of an NHL team.

The city has tried in the past to land an NHL team. A new arena is under construction.

Funk didn't say he was interested in becoming an owner or part-owner of a relocated team.

"You don't know until you see what kind of money they're talking about," he said. "Many of the NHL teams are losing money, not making money."

The Flames announced earlier this year that it might be forced to leave town.