Here's a link : http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/227848
The NHL commissioner's words out of yesterday's board of governors meeting in New York pertaining to Jim Balsillie's attempted purchase of the Nashville Predators and relocation to Hamilton were a prime example of Bettman baloney.
Example A: "I'm not exactly sure why people are focused on the Nashville Predators being anywhere other than Nashville at this point in time."
Well, golly gee, Gary, could it be that the team's attendance sucked huge last season despite a 110-point performance and the current owner, Craig Leipold, activated a clause last week notifying the city of plans to break the lease if attendance is lousy again?
Could that possibly be it, Mr. Commissioner?
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"If the franchise is able to move into that area, it'll be tremendously successful," said Gretzky. "We all know that." Well, everybody except Bettman, apparently.
The commish went on to make himself look even sillier by saying, "I'm not in favour of doing anything to destabilize an existing franchise."
And what does he think is happening with the Preds while they float in uncertainty?
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Perhaps the most insulting bit of noise Bettman directed Balsillie's way was to say yesterday that no application had been completed and therefore the quarter-billion dollar ownership transfer couldn't possibly even be discussed.
Not sure, but when Michael Eisner and Wayne Huizenga were being courted in nauseating fashion, it's hard to remember anyone raising a stink about filling out correct dates of birth.
And those fellows sure were dedicated to being long-term owners, weren't they?
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t's beyond bizarre why the NHL commissioner now appears intent on treating the RIM impresario like a grubby panhandler.
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Instead, Bettman avoided dealing with the issue at all. The biggest news of the day then became that Jeremy Jacobs, Bettman's No. 1 supporter, who has singlehandedly remade the once proud Boston Bruins into a failed franchise, is now chairman of the board.
The battlefield is now well-defined. Three Americans
