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September 14, 2009
NHL to Balsillie: Say you're sorry
As expected, Friday's session of the Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy hearing provided plenty of drama, as the standoff between the NHL and Blackberry king Jim Balsillie reaches absurd proportions.
On Friday, both sides upped their offers for the bankrupt franchise, Balsillie guaranteeing more of his $242 million offer, the league promising for the first time that some of its $140 million bid would go to current owners Jerry Moyes and Wayne Gretzky. The NHL also levied a new demand before Balsillie will ever be allowed to own an NHL team: He has to say he's sorry:
"Perhaps someday his passion for hockey will meet up with a recognition on his part that he isn't above the rules that apply to all the other NHL owners," Tony Clark said at an auction for the league's bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes, for which Balsillie and the NHL are the only bidders.
"Maybe he will find a way to express an honest regret and a humility and acknowledge where he went wrong."
From what I can tell, what Balsillie needs to express "regret" for is thinking he can buy an NHL team without the approval of the NHL. Or arguing it in court. Or something.
In any case, demanding fealty from its potential owners isn't likely to win the NHL any friends from its latest foe: The nation of Canada, whose Competition Bureau said if Balsillie's bid to move to team to Hamilton, Ontario, is blocked, it will consider investigating whether the Toronto Maple Leafs violated competition (i.e., antitrust) laws by unilaterally vetoing the move.
"We are looking at all the paperwork that's coming out of the proceedings and we will take action if we believe that the veto that Toronto thinks they have is exercised and blocks a team," deputy commissioner Richard Taylor told the Toronto Star. "The exercise of the veto that effectively blocked a team from moving would raise concerns for us and would be something we would investigate." "Paperwork" could be an oblique reference to the letter from Maple Leafs ownership to the NHL, introduced by Balsillie's lawyers as evidence, stating that "the Toronto Maple Leafs do not agree that the relocation of a club into their home territory would be subject to a majority vote. They continue to believe a unanimous vote would be required."
Of course, if Canada does charge the NHL with antitrust violations, they'll likely have to get in line. Does anybody really still believe that this will all be resolved before the start of the hockey season?
In the decision before Judge Redfield T. Baum there are several issues that need to be addressed for the team to be moved to Hamilton. The possibilty has never been better since the veto attempt will be watched closely.
I was given the opportunity to post my opinion
"The Legal Roadmap to a Hockey Team in Hamilton"
on the http://makeiteighteh.com/ website. I hope it is informative & thought prevoking.
it,s simple sell the leafs to the N.H.L.and move the COYOTES TO TORONTO . YEA THE TORONTO COYOTES.
Posted by richard fraser on September 14, 2009 12:24 PM
I think Betmen should be fired. I belive he dose not have the NHLs best interes in mind. Hockey in the desert?
Posted by Randy on September 14, 2009 01:03 PM
Call it The Desert Fiasco. King Bettman and the NHL will emerge out of this looking terribly BAD. The Coyotes was another one of Bettman`s pet puppies as well as Daly. So is opening the NHL season in Europe the last 2 seasons and this year as well. Surrounded by other failing S.E. teams, Delbaggio and another similar act on record the NHL votes 26-0 against Balissie. When this sandstorm ends it is apparent that new management replaces the Bettman 3 ring circus.
Bettman is hardly a leader with any vision. I have followed this since May 5/09 and watched Bettman stumble since day 1. All his incoming bids then Bettman the Bold steps in with the NHL bid. He must have an office in his car! Judge Baum is not stupid in the least.
Balsillie forgot more than Bettman ever knew and has a track record to prove his credibility. All Bettman has is a giant ego, I wager his neck gets tired of holding it up. Respectability HAS to return to the NHL and it can`t with Bettman at the helm. Retire the dynamic duo of Bettman and Daly soon.
basillieforpm.ca
what more could one ask for;
- a proven businessman
- a hockey advocate
- and can stand 'toe to toe' (maybe chin to eyebrow)
with those people who live south of us (apologies to peelee island)
let's support him
cheers
balsillieforpm.ca
what more could one ask for;
- a proven businessman
- a hockey advocate
- and can stand 'toe to toe' (maybe chin to eyebrow)
with those people who live south of us (apologies to peelee island)
let's support him
cheers
balsillieforpm.ca
what more could one ask for;
- a proven businessman
- a hockey advocate
- and can stand 'toe to toe' (maybe chin to eyebrow)
with those people who live south of us (apologies to peelee island)
let's support him
cheers
Bettman is a joke. The only reason he refuses Balsillie is that he doesn't want to deal with the Toronto issue of a team in Hamilton or anywhere in Toronto's territory. I love the way Bettman has made himself look like a fool. I heard the other day that a Hamilton franchise would be in the top 5 revenue earners in the NHL. When a reporter asked Bettman why it would be a bad idea to add a team with great revenue potential to the NHL, he ducked the question.
Bettman definitely does not have the best interest of the NHL in mind. Instead he is content to play games with Balsillie.
Posted by Pete on September 14, 2009 06:28 PM
The TML would have a nuclear meltdown if the Winnepeg Jets moved to Hamilton. This is the sole reason why Bettman does not want the deal to go through. Honestly though, the best thing could happen to the TML would be to have a rival team in Hamilton.
Posted by nyrmetros on September 14, 2009 11:15 PM
Give it up, Mr. Bettman. Just give the Phoenix Coyotes to Mr. Jim Balsillie so that way he'll move it to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada so that way the Canadians and the rest of the people in the world and I would be happy otherwise you're going to be fired as a NHL Commissioner. I rest my case.
Posted by Albert Buckenberger on September 15, 2009 05:15 PM
Give it up, Mr. Bettman. Just give the Phoenix Coyotes to Mr. Jim Balsillie so that way he'll move it to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada so that way the Canadians and the rest of the people in the world and I would be happy otherwise you're going to be fired as a NHL Commissioner. I rest my case.
Posted by Albert Buckenberger on September 15, 2009 05:16 PM
I don't know if it's just me or the NHL and all this mess that is happening in the league,but I believe that the NHL is discriminating over Jim Balsillies right to be a NHL owner and also a very BIG Discrimination thing over the Country of Canada where all the Hockey in the world started,Gary Bettman thinks that Hockey belongs in the United States but clearly the facts of the United States people say that they enjoy watching Foofball and Baseball other than Hockey especialy in the Southern States,So clearly NHL Hockey belongs in Canada where it was born and should stay.
Posted by Aaron on September 17, 2009 08:58 PM