New Wild owner Leipold sells National Lacrosse League's Swarm

"I'd love to have him here. Absolutely," Leipold said. "He's a special talent and you can see that he was really maturing this year."

Leipold called the decision "100 percent Doug," but reiterated an organizational hope that the Wild's all-time leading scorer and only player left from the original team will be a part of the long-term future.

Barely one month into his official ownership of the Wild, Leipold has made a deal.

John Arlotta, a longtime business associate and friend of Leipold who lives in Denver, signed a letter of intent to buy the Minnesota Swarm lacrosse franchise from the Wild's parent company, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment.

Leipold called the Swarm part of the "inner prizes" of his purchase from Bob Naegele Jr., but said it wasn't a "core" business.

Arlotta, who is taking time off as a health care executive to pursue this, asked Leipold a few months ago if he would sell him the team. He's an ardent supporter of Notre Dame's lacrosse programs who, according to Leipold, crisscrosses the country to watch the sport.

The takeover, pending National Lacrosse League approval, was announced Wednesday. The Swarm will continue to play at Xcel Energy Center and receive support and certain services from MSE, which bought the club in 2004. Leipold said Arlotta is committed to at least five years here.

"He loves it and this is what he wants to do, so it's all going to work out real good," Leipold said.