T_Totler
06-14-2007, 08:11 PM
Either Jim Balsillie relishes a good fight or he's determined that the NHL can't legally stop his bold move to bring a second franchise to southern Ontario.
The latter seems to be the smartest guess, and my goodness, this is becoming quite the spectacle, not to mention the biggest hockey story of the year.
Not only is the Waterloo billionaire not backing away from a direct confrontation with the league over the future of the Nashville Predators, he appears intent on ramping up the pressure. Brazenly so.
Ads in today's Hamilton Spectator read, "Yes, the Nashville Predators may in fact relocate to Hamilton, Ontario," as the newly formed Predators Sports and Entertainment LP officially put season tickets on sale for a future Hamilton NHL team just hours after Hamilton politicians confirmed a lease arrangement with the BlackBerry magnate.
It seems obvious through these latest machinations by Balsillie and his organization that he doesn't believe the NHL can legally block his $238 million (all figures U.S.) purchase of the Predators under the league's existing bylaws, and interviews yesterday with a variety of NHL governors seemed to confirm that notion.
"(Balsillie) is an honourable guy and he's got the money. That's it. He passes," said one respected NHL executive, who said his owner wouldn't get in Balsillie's way.
Moreover, once in control of the Preds, it seems evident that Balsillie believes he can relocate the club to the city of his choice.
"Based on my own research, it would be difficult to stop him doing whatever he wants to do," said the governor of a U.S.-based club.
Finally, Balsillie also seems intent on challenging the NHL's territorial infringement rules that would require a team in Hamilton to financially compensate Buffalo and Toronto. In 1982, the Colorado Rockies moved north to become the New Jersey Devils and paid $5 million each to the Islanders and Rangers and another $2.5 million to the Flyers. In 1993, half of Anaheim's $50 million expansion fee was awarded to Bruce McNall and the Los Angeles Kings in a sweetheart, insiders deal.
Fueling Balsillie's drive to force his way into the lucrative southern Ontario market is his personal belief that the NHL has historically shortchanged the area, including the seemingly manipulated 1991 expansion process.
For as little as a $500 deposit, Golden Horseshoe hockey fans can today start indicating whether they actually believe the dormant dream of bringing the NHL back to Hamilton after an 82-year absence is about to come true.
Source (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/225296)
I don't know about you, but I, for one, would love to see an NHL franchise in Steeltown. :bsu: - Think of the great rivalry that would emerge.
The latter seems to be the smartest guess, and my goodness, this is becoming quite the spectacle, not to mention the biggest hockey story of the year.
Not only is the Waterloo billionaire not backing away from a direct confrontation with the league over the future of the Nashville Predators, he appears intent on ramping up the pressure. Brazenly so.
Ads in today's Hamilton Spectator read, "Yes, the Nashville Predators may in fact relocate to Hamilton, Ontario," as the newly formed Predators Sports and Entertainment LP officially put season tickets on sale for a future Hamilton NHL team just hours after Hamilton politicians confirmed a lease arrangement with the BlackBerry magnate.
It seems obvious through these latest machinations by Balsillie and his organization that he doesn't believe the NHL can legally block his $238 million (all figures U.S.) purchase of the Predators under the league's existing bylaws, and interviews yesterday with a variety of NHL governors seemed to confirm that notion.
"(Balsillie) is an honourable guy and he's got the money. That's it. He passes," said one respected NHL executive, who said his owner wouldn't get in Balsillie's way.
Moreover, once in control of the Preds, it seems evident that Balsillie believes he can relocate the club to the city of his choice.
"Based on my own research, it would be difficult to stop him doing whatever he wants to do," said the governor of a U.S.-based club.
Finally, Balsillie also seems intent on challenging the NHL's territorial infringement rules that would require a team in Hamilton to financially compensate Buffalo and Toronto. In 1982, the Colorado Rockies moved north to become the New Jersey Devils and paid $5 million each to the Islanders and Rangers and another $2.5 million to the Flyers. In 1993, half of Anaheim's $50 million expansion fee was awarded to Bruce McNall and the Los Angeles Kings in a sweetheart, insiders deal.
Fueling Balsillie's drive to force his way into the lucrative southern Ontario market is his personal belief that the NHL has historically shortchanged the area, including the seemingly manipulated 1991 expansion process.
For as little as a $500 deposit, Golden Horseshoe hockey fans can today start indicating whether they actually believe the dormant dream of bringing the NHL back to Hamilton after an 82-year absence is about to come true.
Source (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/225296)
I don't know about you, but I, for one, would love to see an NHL franchise in Steeltown. :bsu: - Think of the great rivalry that would emerge.