Phoenix Coyotes

[mpare]

Nice analysis. Have you considered a career in journalism or law? You should.

I think this move just shows how desperate Bettman and the NHL is about the situation. They will do ANYTHING - including exposing their hypocrisy and lack of credibility for all to see - just to keep Balsillie from moving the team.

I don't think Judge Baum can be very happy with the NHL right now. They were obviously lying through their teeth (under oath) when they stated there were numerous suitors for the club just waiting in the wings. Of course all these phantom bidders wanted to keep the team in Phoenix - yeah right. Even their own bid has a relocation clause.

They also went on and on about the process of moving a franchise - they need to approve the owner, settle on a relocation fee, work out "compensation", etc, etc. and the judge was cutting them a lot of slack on that. Well now Baum can throw all that crap out the window (including that sham of an 26-0 owners vote against Balsillie) because of the obvious conflict-of-interest. It is so ridiculous to contend that Balsillie, Ice Edge or anyone else who steps up to the plate must be approved by one of the other competitive bidders that I can't even see Bettman being stupid enough keep pursuing this argument.

And to top it all off the NHL submits the lowest bid. In fact because the NHL is also one of the secured creditors, then their actual bid price is probably lower than what was reported - since they would be paying some of that money to themselves! What a joke!

BTW if the NHL wins then next summer they'll introduce the proud new owner of Phoenix Coyotes as none other than (drumroll please) Jerry Reinsdorf - who with the blessing of Emperor Bettman will promptly relocate the team to Anywhere-but-Canada, USA for the 2010/2011 season. You heard it here first, folks!

[jeffc]

So Balsille has upped his ante by $30M, to $242.5M - now $102.5M more than the NHL is offering.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=290348

your move Gary.


and in other news, former Nashville Preds owner gets 8 years:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=290401

[LobWedge]

...and Jim Balsillie is on his Blackberry, booking a flight to Nashville.

[mpare]

And the NHL says that Balsille would never be accepted as an owner, because he can't be trusted. Hummmm.

So Balsille has upped his ante by $30M, to $242.5M - now $102.5M more than the NHL is offering.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=290348

your move Gary.


and in other news, former Nashville Preds owner gets 8 years:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=290401

[LobWedge]

Ice Edge Holdings has backed out of the race. It's Balsillie heads-up against Bettman for all the marbles.

[mpare]

This is better than the soaps.

Ice Edge Holdings has backed out of the race. It's Balsillie heads-up against Bettman for all the marbles.

[LobWedge]

This is better than the soaps.

More like Coronation Street, but with better teeth.

[sillywilly]

If JB does move the team, doesn't the NHL get a relocation fee?? Anyone know how much that is, 50 - 60 m I'm guessing

[Nat Williams]

Last I heard the league was claiming up to 195M, and JB wants the judge to intervene and set an appropriate value if it gets that far.

[sillywilly]

ok lets say the league was open to a team going into hamilton... how much would that charge an owner to open a new team there?

[Nat Williams]

I'm not sure what a new team would pay, but in the past teams have had their relocation fees waived...really up to the NHL, and in this case they are planning on using it as a-hole tax since they hate JB

[sillywilly]

why do they hate him so much?? he was approved when he tried to buy from mario. I hpoe the judge sees whats going on and gives JB the team