The Maine Mariners announced on Tuesday Morning that the team has been bought by Dexter Paine after being owned by Comcast Spectacor since 2017 when they brought hockey back to the Portland Area. Paine, who is from New Hampshire and a lifelong Boston Bruins fan, has been a member of the US Olympic and Paralympic Board Committee Board since 2021 and is on the boards of the US Biathlon and US Ski and Snowboard teams and is actively involved in the bid to bring the 2034 Olympic Winter Games to Salt Lake City. He is also the co-founder and Chairman of Paine Schwartz Partners, a private equity firm specializing in sustainable food chain investing. Paine will serve as the Governor of the Maine Mariners, and Adam Golberg, who is currently the team’s President, will be promoted to CEO and Alternate Governor.
“The city of Portland and the great State of Maine have a rich and proud tradition of hockey. I could not be more excited about the next phase for this team and its outstanding fans. Portland holds a special place in my heart and some of my earliest hockey memories involve attending Mariners games. I am thrilled to be able to realize this life-long dream with a city and team that mean so much to me. I know first-hand the enthusiasm our fans have for the Mariners and am committed to doing everything I can to deliver for them and the team. I look forward to supporting our dedicated hockey operations staff and players as they work to create a sustainable winner with a style of play that our fans are proud and eager to support,” said Dexter Paine.
Paine on the acquisition of the Maine Mariners
The sale still has to be approved by the ECHL’s Board of Governors before becoming official, and it is expected to happen before the start of the 2024-25 season. Paine announced that the Mariners will continue their affiliation with the Boston Bruins, and Terrence Wallin will be the team’s head coach for the upcoming season. The affiliation agreement and Wallin’s contract are set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season. It was also announced that the team will continue to play their home games at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, Maine.
