Kukla's Korner Hockey
Bettman Under Pressure
by Paul on 05/06/09 at 10:27 PM ET
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from Allan Maki of the Globe and Mail,
It was Bettman, sources have said, who went to Moyes on Tuesday and presented a conditional offer from Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf that would have paid down a portion of the team’s indebtedness as long as Moyes walked away.
Moyes walked, all right. He went right to Balsillie and finalized a $212.5-million (U.S.) transaction — with another $17-million for bridge financing — that would ensure every creditor got paid. That has put Bettman between a rock and a cactus, and those in the know say he’s not happy about it.
The thing is: That unhappiness is certain to spread among the owners, some of whom have begun to question Bettman’s handiwork, along with his vision. For example: His decision to have NHL games broadcast in the United States on Versus has been a spectacular dud, despite claims to rising viewership. His decision to keep teams in their current marketplaces no matter how much money they lose has created all manner of stress and strain throughout the league.
“Bettman’s smart,” a source said, “but he’s under tremendous pressure, maybe the most he’s ever felt.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Phoenix Coyotes, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
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