The NHL owners have continually thrown up roadblocks to prevent Blackberry Billionaire Jim Balsillie from purchasing an existing franchise. You wouldn't want to let in some riffraff into this very exclusive club. Well that is if you overlook some of the nonsense that has been taking place over the last few weeks.
Ducks owner Henry Samueli is now a convicted felon and was hit with a $12 million SEC fine and the Commissioner has also suspended him. By the way the Commissioner has also indicated that Samueli was an exemplary owner.
Last year Nashville owner Craig Leipold try to sell his failed franchise to Jim Balsillie but after the Commissioner intervened the team was sold for about $50 million less to a group headed by Boots Del Biaggio. The Commissioner arranged instead for Leipold to buy the Minnesota franchise.
It turns out Del Biaggio had no money, is now bankrupt, is being sued and is being investigated by the FBI. Wait there is more. To purchase his 27% share of the Predators, Del Biaggio borrowed money from other owners (Phil Anschutz and Craig Leipold) but no one bothered to tell the Commissioner about this little detail. Ooops.
There is also big dispute brewing between the league office and the New York Rangers. I think the Rangers are suing the NHL and the Commissioner has threatened to revoke the franchise.
Meanwhile the cash cow also known as the Toronto Maple Leafs are dismantling their team and actively pursuing executive under contract with other teams. Oh this year will mark their 42nd year without winning the Stanley Cup cause you need to make the playoffs to contend for the Cup. A minor detail.
Down in Tampa Bay the new owner Len Barrie appears to be a nut case. There are stories going around that the owners in talking trades directly with other teams and how do you explain bringing back Barry Melrose to coach.
The NHL owners have continually thrown up roadblocks to prevent Blackberry Billionaire Jim Balsillie from purchasing an existing franchise. You wouldn't want to let in some riffraff into this very exclusive club. Well that is if you overlook some of the nonsense that has been taking place over the last few weeks.
Ducks owner Henry Samueli is now a convicted felon and was hit with a $12 million SEC fine and the Commissioner has also suspended him. By the way the Commissioner has also indicated that Samueli was an exemplary owner.
Last year Nashville owner Craig Leipold try to sell his failed franchise to Jim Balsillie but after the Commissioner intervened the team was sold for about $50 million less to a group headed by Boots Del Biaggio. The Commissioner arranged instead for Leipold to buy the Minnesota franchise.
It turns out Del Biaggio had no money, is now bankrupt, is being sued and is being investigated by the FBI. Wait there is more. To purchase his 27% share of the Predators, Del Biaggio borrowed money from other owners (Phil Anschutz and Craig Leipold) but no one bothered to tell the Commissioner about this little detail. Ooops.
There is also big dispute brewing between the league office and the New York Rangers. I think the Rangers are suing the NHL and the Commissioner has threatened to revoke the franchise.
Meanwhile the cash cow also known as the Toronto Maple Leafs are dismantling their team and actively pursuing executive under contract with other teams. Oh this year will mark their 42nd year without winning the Stanley Cup cause you need to make the playoffs to contend for the Cup. A minor detail.
Down in Tampa Bay the new owner Len Barrie appears to be a nut case. There are stories going around that the owners in talking trades directly with other teams and how do you explain bringing back Barry Melrose to coach. And Ottawa Senator owner Eugene Melnyk is being investigated for insider trading at Biovail.
Yup it's never boring down in NHL headquarters.
12 years ago
