Foligno's Nose Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 RICO charges? Holy Cow!...or Holy Coyote! Someone mentioned that it would be too late to move the team before the start of the season. Why? This is 2009. It is completely doable. The team belongs elsewhere sooner or later. hopefully the Judge sees through the Bettman BS and affords Balsillie the bid and the move. Hamilton and Southern Ontario deserve the NHL team and all that comes with it. It will mean sold out games, merch and all the rest. $$$$ for Balsillie and the league. Beleive the reports regarding the Canadian teams merch constituting for some 40% of the NHL profits. It's a lock. He maybe a questionable billionaire owner, but look at the history in the NHL. McNall, Boots DelBaggio, Melnyk, Rigas!!! They are the biggest hypocrates in labeling Balsillie uncredible and untrustworthy. What a bunch of jokers. This will, regardless of the outcome, lead to Bettman's demise. He is a jackass and the owners (board of governors) have to see that his US expansion experiment is over. Phoenix is just the tip of the iceburg for the teams having fianancial dificulties. The games sells up here in the real world and that can be backed up. The only thing I can sympathize with Betman, Daly, and NHL et al about is losing this team in the Phoenix market. Phoenix has one of the top ten largest populations in North America. It mad sense to put a franchise there. It didn't work. The experiment is over. Hopefully the team ends up in Canada and not in Kansas City or Vegas.
DR HOLLIDAY Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 RICO charges? Holy Cow!...or Holy Coyote! Someone mentioned that it would be too late to move the team before the start of the season. Why? This is 2009. It is completely doable. The team belongs elsewhere sooner or later. hopefully the Judge sees through the Bettman BS and affords Balsillie the bid and the move. Hamilton and Southern Ontario deserve the NHL team and all that comes with it. It will mean sold out games, merch and all the rest. $$$$ for Balsillie and the league. Beleive the reports regarding the Canadian teams merch constituting for some 40% of the NHL profits. It's a lock. He maybe a questionable billionaire owner, but look at the history in the NHL. McNall, Boots DelBaggio, Melnyk, Rigas!!! They are the biggest hypocrates in labeling Balsillie uncredible and untrustworthy. What a bunch of jokers. This will, regardless of the outcome, lead to Bettman's demise. He is a jackass and the owners (board of governors) have to see that his US expansion experiment is over. Phoenix is just the tip of the iceburg for the teams having fianancial dificulties. The games sells up here in the real world and that can be backed up. The only thing I can sympathize with Betman, Daly, and NHL et al about is losing this team in the Phoenix market. Phoenix has one of the top ten largest populations in North America. It mad sense to put a franchise there. It didn't work. The experiment is over. Hopefully the team ends up in Canada and not in Kansas City or Vegas. Well said man...... :beer:
LabattBlue Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 Phoenix has one of the top ten largest populations in North America. It mad sense to put a franchise there. It didn't work. The experiment is over. Hopefully the team ends up in Canada and not in Kansas City or Vegas. :worthy:
nfreeman Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 The NHL's official bid for the Coyotes legally nullifies their previous board of governors vote to ban Balsillie's offer. It's a conflict of interest, and further opens the door for indictments under federal RICO charges. Are you on drugs?
Sabre Dance Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 I bought two Blackberries in the last year - does that mean I will own 1/435,000,000,000th of the Coyotes? Seriously, we need hockey season to start.....
end the curse Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 Are you on drugs? Are you on a little bus?
Stoner Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 Are you on a little bus? You'll get used to the inane insults.
Mbossy Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 The NHL's official bid for the Coyotes legally nullifies their previous board of governors vote to ban Balsillie's offer. It's a conflict of interest, and further opens the door for indictments under federal RICO charges. Reminds me of a quote on TSN. You or cut/paste?RICO charges? Yeah, the NHL has been hiding money, in fact laundering it through the Coyotes since last November when the first signs of Phoenix going belly up emerged. More like the NHL wants their money back. RICO charges? How about against Ballsilly and Moyes for teaming up with one another so that Moyes gets some money back and Silly gets a team. RICO: (1) that the acts are part of a long-term association that exists for criminal purposes, or (2) that they are a regular way of conducting the defendant's ongoing legitimate business, or (3) that they are a regular way of conducting or participating in an ongoing and legitimate enterprise. Hmmm. RICO charges? Holy Cow!...or Holy Coyote! Someone mentioned that it would be too late to move the team before the start of the season. Why? This is 2009. It is completely doable. How about you go and try to get a bunch of employees together at a new facility, find distributors, cancel and make new travel arrangements and hotel, etc. for 50 people going to 41 games with equipment. Yeah, that's easy to do. The team belongs elsewhere sooner or later. hopefully the Judge sees through the Bettman BS and affords Balsillie the bid and the move. Hamilton and Southern Ontario deserve the NHL team and all that comes with it. It will mean sold out games, merch and all the rest. $$$$ for Balsillie and the league. Beleive the reports regarding the Canadian teams merch constituting for some 40% of the NHL profits. It's a lock. He maybe a questionable billionaire owner, but look at the history in the NHL. McNall, Boots DelBaggio, Melnyk, Rigas!!!Spano? Truth is they're everywhere, in all businesses. It has helped the league for rules and new policies that uncover these things before people become owners. They are the biggest hypocrates in labeling Balsillie uncredible and untrustworthy. What a bunch of jokers. This will, regardless of the outcome, lead to Bettman's demise. He is a jackass and the owners (board of governors) have to see that his US expansion experiment is over. Phoenix is just the tip of the iceburg for the teams having fianancial dificulties. The board of governors agrees that Ballsilly shouldn't get a franchise, not back then, not now, not ever. The games sells up here in the real world and that can be backed up. When the ice never melts, what else can you do? The only thing I can sympathize with Betman, Daly, and NHL et al about is losing this team in the Phoenix market. Phoenix has one of the top ten largest populations in North America. It mad sense to put a franchise there. It didn't work. The experiment is over. Hopefully the team ends up in Canada and not in Kansas City or Vegas. I'll agree Phoenix won't work. Move it to Canada, aye, but not in Hamilton, 30 minutes from 2 other clubs, and not with Sillyballs as owner.
end the curse Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 Reminds me of a quote on TSN. You or cut/paste? No, but apparently you are just a wee bit ignorant of how RICO laws relate to collusion. Bud Selig was indicted under federal RICO laws when MLB acquired the Expos, only his case settled out of court by the previous owner of the club for an undisclosed financial payoff. If Bettman is found to have established and manipulated a corrupt syndicate designed to eliminate competitive bids for the franchise in order to stiff creditors this is a direct violation of federal bankruptcy and antitrust law, and will absolutely lead to a federal indictment for racketeering. Of course, Balsillie is a much bigger, more powerful, and more motivated foe than Selig ever faced, so perhaps the best thing that could possibly happen to Bettman if we wants to avoid going to prison would be if the NHL loses its bid and the Coyotes go to Hamilton with team Balsillie.
Mbossy Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 No, but apparently you are just a wee bit ignorant of how RICO laws relate to collusion. Bud Selig was indicted under federal RICO laws when MLB acquired the Expos, only his case settled out of court by the previous owner of the club for an undisclosed financial payoff. If Bettman is found to have established and manipulated a corrupt syndicate designed to eliminate competitive bids for the franchise in order to stiff creditors this is a direct violation of federal bankruptcy and antitrust law, and will absolutely lead to a federal indictment for racketeering. Of course, Balsillie is a much bigger, more powerful, and more motivated foe than Selig ever faced, so perhaps the best thing that could possibly happen to Bettman if we wants to avoid going to prison would be if the NHL loses its bid and the Coyotes go to Hamilton with team Balsillie. So now you'll compare Selig to Bettman? Not even close. Bettman may get booed as much as Selig, and I don't like either man myself, but come on. Bettman has made mistakes, just like any president. The Coyotes aren't going to play their home games in Puerto Rico. AFA stiffing creditors, I haven't heard one word from Sillyballs that he's paying the creditors anything. He's paying Moyes, not Phoenix.
R_Dudley Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 So now you'll compare Selig to Bettman? Not even close. Bettman may get booed as much as Selig, and I don't like either man myself, but come on. Bettman has made mistakes, just like any president. The Coyotes aren't going to play their home games in Puerto Rico. AFA stiffing creditors, I haven't heard one word from Sillyballs that he's paying the creditors anything. He's paying Moyes, not Phoenix. And you won't at least not directly since it's the Bankruptcy court that decides the allocation of actual sale proceed's against the creditor's claims.
end the curse Posted August 28, 2009 Report Posted August 28, 2009 So now you'll compare Selig to Bettman? Not even close. Bettman may get booed as much as Selig, and I don't like either man myself, but come on. Bettman has made mistakes, just like any president. The Coyotes aren't going to play their home games in Puerto Rico. AFA stiffing creditors, I haven't heard one word from Sillyballs that he's paying the creditors anything. He's paying Moyes, not Phoenix. I am quite amused by your avatar...it couldn't be more fitting for you. Anyway, you are correct in saying that Selig is no Bettman, because where Selig has been a bit bumbling and lacked proper oversight on the steroid scandal until it was too late, Bettman has not only severely damaged the popularity of the sport, driving it from being part of the "Big Four" to somewhere below amateur bowling, but has disgraced the league with his hand picked assortment of criminal owners that have become convicted felons. Regarding Balsillie's offer, Moyes IS a creditor - one of the largest since he loaned the franchise $300 million to keep them from bankruptcy over the past 6 years - plus Balsillie has offered to pay a relocation fee, cover the costs of renovating Copps arena, and has a legitimate business plan for turning the financial fortunes of the bankrupt organization with his relocation to Hamilton. The NHL offers nothing but collusion in an attempt to stiff Moyes and force the Reinsdorf extortion plan on the citizens of Phoenix. The network of between the Reinsdorfs, Dell, Bettman and the Glendale city officals is transparently illegal, as is the plan to extort the city for $38 million per year over 5 years if Bettman succeeds in handing over the keys to Team Reinsdorf should they win the auction.
nfreeman Posted August 29, 2009 Report Posted August 29, 2009 Interesting that Balsillie's plan pays Moyes almost the same money that TG's mystery buyer offered him for help relocating the team. Any link on this? I don't think I read anything like this. You'll get used to the inane insults. Bozo. No, but apparently you are just a wee bit ignorant of how RICO laws relate to collusion. Bud Selig was indicted under federal RICO laws when MLB acquired the Expos, only his case settled out of court by the previous owner of the club for an undisclosed financial payoff. If Bettman is found to have established and manipulated a corrupt syndicate designed to eliminate competitive bids for the franchise in order to stiff creditors this is a direct violation of federal bankruptcy and antitrust law, and will absolutely lead to a federal indictment for racketeering. Of course, Balsillie is a much bigger, more powerful, and more motivated foe than Selig ever faced, so perhaps the best thing that could possibly happen to Bettman if we wants to avoid going to prison would be if the NHL loses its bid and the Coyotes go to Hamilton with team Balsillie. I should have said this earlier, but welcome to the board. Having said that, you are missing certain key points with your usage of terms like "federally indicted", "corrupt", "prison" and "illegal". Also, your use of "ignorant" was disrespectful and the bolded statement is just way over the top to the point of being whacked-out. There's a paranoid hysteria suffusing your posts. Or perhaps you own the bar across the street from Copps Coliseum and you're just outraged that the huge payday isn't coming. This isn't the Sopranos. Selig was sued, not indicted. Private individuals/companies, NOT the government, opposed Selig in a court action. The downside of losing was money damages, NOT prison. The same would be true of Bettman if he were sued under RICO, which is far from "absolutely" going to happen. I am quite amused by your avatar...it couldn't be more fitting for you. Anyway, you are correct in saying that Selig is no Bettman, because where Selig has been a bit bumbling and lacked proper oversight on the steroid scandal until it was too late, Bettman has not only severely damaged the popularity of the sport, driving it from being part of the "Big Four" to somewhere below amateur bowling, but has disgraced the league with his hand picked assortment of criminal owners that have become convicted felons. Regarding Balsillie's offer, Moyes IS a creditor - one of the largest since he loaned the franchise $300 million to keep them from bankruptcy over the past 6 years - plus Balsillie has offered to pay a relocation fee, cover the costs of renovating Copps arena, and has a legitimate business plan for turning the financial fortunes of the bankrupt organization with his relocation to Hamilton. The NHL offers nothing but collusion in an attempt to stiff Moyes and force the Reinsdorf extortion plan on the citizens of Phoenix. The network of between the Reinsdorfs, Dell, Bettman and the Glendale city officals is transparently illegal, as is the plan to extort the city for $38 million per year over 5 years if Bettman succeeds in handing over the keys to Team Reinsdorf should they win the auction. Or perhaps you work for the Balsillie spin squad? Moyes might want to call this money debt, but any lender, and the bankruptcy court, will almost certainly deem it to be equity. And for the record, there is nothing whatsoever "illegal" about the NHL, a private association, having bylaws that prevent what Moyes and Balsillie are trying to do.
end the curse Posted August 29, 2009 Report Posted August 29, 2009 Actually, a private league can have any rule they want, but those rules are not enforceable when they conflict with federal antitrust and bankruptcy laws. There is more than compelling evidence that the NHL has practiced illegal collusion in this case, and that is not just the ramblings and musing of a faceless blogger, but the reality based on the transparent actions by Gary Bettman to block Balsillie's offer, without sound reasoning beyond "I don't like him", at the expense of creditors and the current owner. Regarding Moyes, he legally documented his loaned money to the franchise. As owner, he also has the right to reclaim lost money on his investment by deciding to sell the club to the buyer with the best offer so he can also pay back the lenders he owes money to. I have no idea what legal council you've dug out (pulled out) of your tushy informing you that Moyes is not entitled to any debt relief from the sale of the franchise, but you and those on the Bettman payroll are about the only people I know who would agree with that. Certainly no bankruptcy court would agree to sell the organization off to the lowest bidder, at the expense of the original owner's financial well being and the future viability of the operation, out of petty spite towards the highest bidder. I realize you are sensitive and feel squirmy when terms like "collusion" and "racketeering" are used, so I will try to not offend your delicate sensibilities moving forward, but they are very real scenarios that are on the verge of going down, and you can bet your delicate sensibilities that a full blown racketeering lawsuit will follow if the NHL is awarded the franchise with its utterly inferior bid. Of course, one key fact that is being conveniently ignored in your argument is how the NHL has acted illegally (sorry, like "bad guys") by attempting to block Balsillie's bankruptcy bid to purchase the Coyotes and then a couple weeks later putting forth a bid of their own to acquire the franchise at a below market rate. This attempt at double dipping is overt collusion (oops, let me change that word to "cheating" so as not to offend), and considering Mr. Daly has already been warned by the judge for statements that indicated NHL tampering to suppress other prospective buyers I think it's safe to say I am not merely typing in a vacuum. Oh, and if you want to look up whether racketeering is punishable with jail time you can start with Alan Eagleson in your Google search... and thank you for the hardy welcome to the boards!
Eleven Posted August 29, 2009 Report Posted August 29, 2009 No, but apparently you are just a wee bit ignorant of how RICO laws relate to collusion. Bud Selig was indicted under federal RICO laws when MLB acquired the Expos, only his case settled out of court by the previous owner of the club for an undisclosed financial payoff. If Bettman is found to have established and manipulated a corrupt syndicate designed to eliminate competitive bids for the franchise in order to stiff creditors this is a direct violation of federal bankruptcy and antitrust law, and will absolutely lead to a federal indictment for racketeering. Of course, Balsillie is a much bigger, more powerful, and more motivated foe than Selig ever faced, so perhaps the best thing that could possibly happen to Bettman if we wants to avoid going to prison would be if the NHL loses its bid and the Coyotes go to Hamilton with team Balsillie. There is no way that Gary Bettman is going to prison based upon the actions he has taken with respect to the Coyotes.
Stoner Posted August 29, 2009 Report Posted August 29, 2009 There is no way that Gary Bettman is going to prison based upon the actions he has taken with respect to the Coyotes. But isn't there a part of you that would enjoy the idea of Gary Bobblehead taking Big Manny's "foot" in his "crease"?
Eleven Posted August 29, 2009 Report Posted August 29, 2009 But isn't there a part of you that would enjoy the idea of Gary Bobblehead taking Big Manny's "foot" in his "crease"? Sure. And some day that may happen. But it won't be because of any action he has taken to date with respect to the Coyotes.
Mbossy Posted August 29, 2009 Report Posted August 29, 2009 I am quite amused by your avatar...it couldn't be more fitting for you. Anyway, you are correct in saying that Selig is no Bettman, because where Selig has been a bit bumbling and lacked proper oversight on the steroid scandal until it was too late, Bettman has not only severely damaged the popularity of the sport, driving it from being part of the "Big Four" to somewhere below amateur bowling, but has disgraced the league with his hand picked assortment of criminal owners that have become convicted felons. Regarding Balsillie's offer, Moyes IS a creditor - one of the largest since he loaned the franchise $300 million to keep them from bankruptcy over the past 6 years - plus Balsillie has offered to pay a relocation fee, cover the costs of renovating Copps arena, and has a legitimate business plan for turning the financial fortunes of the bankrupt organization with his relocation to Hamilton. The NHL offers nothing but collusion in an attempt to stiff Moyes and force the Reinsdorf extortion plan on the citizens of Phoenix. The network of between the Reinsdorfs, Dell, Bettman and the Glendale city officals is transparently illegal, as is the plan to extort the city for $38 million per year over 5 years if Bettman succeeds in handing over the keys to Team Reinsdorf should they win the auction. So Moyes isn't looking to stiff Phoenix? So Sillyballs just happened to have a business plan for the Hamilton Coyotes the day Moyes declares bankruptcy? Collusion? Nope, just business. Reinsdorf pulled out because he wasn't able to get a deal done with Glendale by Tuesday's court-imposed deadline for submitting a firm offer. Where do you see that Moyes has loaned money to the NHL? He paid 120 million for the team, lost 200 over the last years, and the NHL has been fronting him money since Nov 2008. The NHL bidding 140 for the team doesn't seem low to me. They obviously feel, with the right plan and concessions from the city to re-work an expensive rent agreement that Phoenix could work. The team playing better would help too. The same way bars and restaurants downtown love it when they make the playoffs. As for your petty name calling, if I throw a stick, will you leave?
nfreeman Posted August 30, 2009 Report Posted August 30, 2009 Actually, a private league can have any rule they want, but those rules are not enforceable when they conflict with federal antitrust and bankruptcy laws. There is more than compelling evidence that the NHL has practiced illegal collusion in this case, and that is not just the ramblings and musing of a faceless blogger, but the reality based on the transparent actions by Gary Bettman to block Balsillie's offer, without sound reasoning beyond "I don't like him", at the expense of creditors and the current owner. Regarding Moyes, he legally documented his loaned money to the franchise. As owner, he also has the right to reclaim lost money on his investment by deciding to sell the club to the buyer with the best offer so he can also pay back the lenders he owes money to. I have no idea what legal council you've dug out (pulled out) of your tushy informing you that Moyes is not entitled to any debt relief from the sale of the franchise, but you and those on the Bettman payroll are about the only people I know who would agree with that. Certainly no bankruptcy court would agree to sell the organization off to the lowest bidder, at the expense of the original owner's financial well being and the future viability of the operation, out of petty spite towards the highest bidder. I realize you are sensitive and feel squirmy when terms like "collusion" and "racketeering" are used, so I will try to not offend your delicate sensibilities moving forward, but they are very real scenarios that are on the verge of going down, and you can bet your delicate sensibilities that a full blown racketeering lawsuit will follow if the NHL is awarded the franchise with its utterly inferior bid. Of course, one key fact that is being conveniently ignored in your argument is how the NHL has acted illegally (sorry, like "bad guys") by attempting to block Balsillie's bankruptcy bid to purchase the Coyotes and then a couple weeks later putting forth a bid of their own to acquire the franchise at a below market rate. This attempt at double dipping is overt collusion (oops, let me change that word to "cheating" so as not to offend), and considering Mr. Daly has already been warned by the judge for statements that indicated NHL tampering to suppress other prospective buyers I think it's safe to say I am not merely typing in a vacuum. Oh, and if you want to look up whether racketeering is punishable with jail time you can start with Alan Eagleson in your Google search... and thank you for the hardy welcome to the boards! Well, I'm not sure what to say other than you seem to refuse to acknowledge that this is not even close to being a criminal matter. It's a commercial dispute between private parties in bankruptcy court. As for moyes' "loan" to the company, the fact that it's "legally documented" means exactly nothing. He controlled both sides of that "loan". He could just as easily have "documented" a fictitious right to Sidney Crosby. The bankruptcy court will view it as what it is, ie the owner putting in new cash to fund operating losses -- and that is equity, not debt. The bankruptcy court has broad discretion to rule in favor of the bid that it determines is best for the creditors. The biggest real creditor (ie not Moyes) is a private equity fund that will get taken out in full by whoever ends up with the team. Then smaller local vendors will be taken into consideration as will the city as counterparty to the lease and the NHL as counterparty to the team's franchise agreement. Moyes' interests will come as an afterthought to all of this. I get it. For whatever reason, you want balsillie to win. I'm glad you're on this board, and we always welcome passionate hockey fans here. But logical, realistic arguments are the best kind.
henysgol Posted August 30, 2009 Report Posted August 30, 2009 yeah, I miss the Jets!! For real. It's about time the NHL brass admits it was a big mistake to move them to Phoenix in the first place. Winnipeg would be great, a hell of a lot better than Hamilton. I haven't heard many people AT ALL disagree when "Bring back the Jets" is mentioned. Of course they could support a team up there; the city of Winnipeg isn't exactly a LARGE city, but I have no doubt that they could fill their arena every game. And if Balsillie gets the team, hopefully he won't even be allowed to move them to southern Ontario. The Sabres and Leafs would have to approve it, right? It'll never happen... there's brand new arenas in KC and Vegas, which could very well be a factor in where they go. I don't get why the NHL wouldn't want another Canadian team considering the strength of their dollar these days. I wish they'd just get down to business because waiting to see what happens totally sucks.
Foligno's Nose Posted August 30, 2009 Report Posted August 30, 2009 For real. It's about time the NHL brass admits it was a big mistake to move them to Phoenix in the first place. Winnipeg would be great, a hell of a lot better than Hamilton. I haven't heard one person disagree when "Bring back the Jets" is mentioned. Of course they could support a team up there; the city of Winnipeg isn't exactly a LARGE city, but I have no doubt that they could fill their arena every game. And if Balsillie gets the team, hopefully he won't even be allowed to move them to southern Ontario. The Sabres and Leafs would have to approve it, right? Another thing, there's brand new arenas in KC and Vegas, which could be a factor in where they go. I wish they'd just get down to business because waiting to see what happens totally sucks. They essentially have conceded it is a mistake by the inclusion of the relocation language in their "bid". Winnipeg would be a great sentimental choice, but a Hamilton based team is the ultimate. Over 8 million people reside from east of Toronto to Niagara Falls, Ontario. They include the greatest amount of hockey fans, per capita, on the continent. This is not including the over 2 million people on our side of the border (Erie, PA to Rochester). There will be no negative effect on the Leafs or the Sabres. There is no history of any relocated team negatively effecting an existing neighboring franchise. I guess I just don't see the argument for a team not to go to the Hammer. Think of the natural rivalry between Toronto-Hamilton-Buffalo. The Sabres would , at the least, lose a fractional amount of ticket sales (if any). And if they do - put a better product on the ice. That sells tickets for sure (it sells OUT - see the 05-06 & 06-07 gate receipts). And the wait is almost over - September is almost here and the center of the hockey universe will be in Phoenix. Hopefully for the last time. End the experiment.
DR HOLLIDAY Posted August 30, 2009 Report Posted August 30, 2009 They could put another team in Toronto and a team in Hamilton and all of them would do well.
henysgol Posted August 30, 2009 Report Posted August 30, 2009 They essentially have conceded it is a mistake by the inclusion of the relocation language in their "bid". Winnipeg would be a great sentimental choice, but a Hamilton based team is the ultimate. Over 8 million people reside from east of Toronto to Niagara Falls, Ontario. They include the greatest amount of hockey fans, per capita, on the continent. This is not including the over 2 million people on our side of the border (Erie, PA to Rochester). There will be no negative effect on the Leafs or the Sabres. There is no history of any relocated team negatively effecting an existing neighboring franchise. I guess I just don't see the argument for a team not to go to the Hammer. Think of the natural rivalry between Toronto-Hamilton-Buffalo. The Sabres would , at the least, lose a fractional amount of ticket sales (if any). And if they do - put a better product on the ice. That sells tickets for sure (it sells OUT - see the 05-06 & 06-07 gate receipts). And the wait is almost over - September is almost here and the center of the hockey universe will be in Phoenix. Hopefully for the last time. End the experiment. There's a chance you could be right about Hamilton, I admit the triple city rivalry could go down in history considering the great devotion to hockey in the entire region. But also the NHL might lean towards wanting to keep a team in the West. I wonder why Atlanta isn't in this position as well. I think a realignment is inevitable because hockey is not going to survive in Atlanta. I don't think they've ever filled their arena, unless it was the visiting team's fans!
end the curse Posted August 30, 2009 Report Posted August 30, 2009 For whatever reason, you want balsillie to win. I'm glad you're on this board, and we always welcome passionate hockey fans here. But logical, realistic arguments are the best kind. I find comical irony in how someone can ignore the clarity of the case against Bettman's racketeering, and at the same time accuse others of ignoring logic. Sorry, but once again you neglect to refute in any cogent way the NHL's collusion in this case, and until you can you will remain nothing more than a willful chump apologizing for Gary Bettman's every con. Naivette is the true opium of the masses, and Bettman is banking on a world of blind fans like yourself so he can continue reducing the league to a two-bit crime syndicate of fraudulent racketeers.
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