# Avalanche's $21M Decision

> Harrison Ford's Air Force One saved Joe Sakic from leaving Colorado.
- Title: Avalanche's $21M Decision · Colorado Avalanche On SI
- Summary: Harrison Ford's Air Force One saved Joe Sakic from leaving Colorado. The Avalanche matched a $21 million offer for Joe Sakic by leveraging a blockbuster…
- Keywords: avalanche, joe sakic, harrison ford, air force one, nfl, colorado, rangers, nhl, pepsi center, ascent entertainment, liberty media, fox sports rocky mountain
- Source: Colorado Avalanche On SI — https://si.com/nhl/avalanche/onsi/news/21-million-avalanche-decision-that-changed-everything
- Published: 2026-09-16T14:00:01+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: avalanche, joe sakic, harrison ford, air force one, nfl, colorado, rangers, nhl, pepsi center, ascent entertainment, liberty media, fox sports rocky mountain
## Avalanche's 2001 Stanley Cup
Imagine the Avalanche's 2001 Stanley Cup without Joe Sakic. No Hart Trophy from their captain. No Sakic leading Colorado through the playoffs.
## Rangers' $21m Offer Sheet
In August 1997, the Rangers signed restricted free-agent Sakic to a three-year, $21 million offer sheet.
## Avalanche's Financial Strain
The Avalanche had lost $8 million during the 1996-97 season due to their antiquated McNichols Sports Arena.
## Avalanche's Deadline Pressure
The Avalanche had one week to match the offer or receive five first-round picks from the Rangers.
## Harrison Ford's Blockbuster
Harrison Ford's Air Force One grossed $37.1 million domestically in its opening weekend and made $315.1 million worldwide.
## Ascent's Financial Boost
The film's $315.1 million worldwide gross legitimized Ascent Entertainment and gave them financial flexibility to fight back.
## Mayor Webb's Arena Deal
Colorado Mayor Wellington Webb secured a $165 million deal for a new arena on August 13, 1997, the day before the deadline.
## Avalanche Matches Offer
The Avalanche matched the offer on August 14, 1997, keeping Sakic with the team for decades.
## Sakic's Legacy
Four years later, Sakic handed the Stanley Cup to Ray Bourque, a moment that almost never happened.
## The Real Impact
Air Force One's success helped keep Joe Sakic in Colorado, preventing a major team shift in the NHL.
## Key takeaway

The Avalanche matched a $21 million offer for Joe Sakic by leveraging a blockbuster film's profits, keeping him with the team for decades.