Gah, this guy is a moron. The judge didn’t reject Balsillie’s motion for any reason BUT the timing. The timeline was too tight and the NHL wasn’t given a chance to commit an anti-trust violation. If the NHL rejects Balsillie’s application, then it is an anti-trust issue, and if the auction is in September there will be plenty of time for the judge to rule on relocation.

Posted by bcrt on 06/17/09 at 10:38 AM ET

Defying the laws of economics is like defying the laws of gravity - it can’t be done.

thats funny, because neo-classical economics is solely based on defying ecological limits and a finite world. and “markets” arent even remotely “natural” economics in human history.

and how dumb is it that a trained journalist uses a notion from baseball as the guiding “rule” of what someone can attempt to do. “Three strikes your out! lolZ omfg, psh!!!” if three strikes and youre out is the rule, Bettman has been up to bat about 80 strikes too long

Posted by Death Metal Nightmare from MKE on 06/17/09 at 11:55 AM ET

thats funny, because neo-classical economics is solely based on defying ecological limits and a finite world. and “markets” arent even remotely “natural” economics in human history.

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....... did I accidentally load my Slashdot favorite instead of KK?

Posted by Primis on 06/17/09 at 12:40 PM ET

The Coyotes are still in Bankruptcy.

Balsillie is still the only guy with a bid out there.

The ‘ruling’ is just a glorified punt by the judge.  When the auction for the COyotes actually occurs, Balsillie will have as much of a chance as anyone else to own the team.  In fact, it’s almost definitely his if he wants it, since none of the other ‘bidders’, if they even exist, are going to put up anything close to what he will for the club.

Then, stage two of the battle will commence as Balsillie begins to strongarm the league to allow him to move the franchise.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 06/17/09 at 01:15 PM ET

Bettman has been up to bat about 80 strikes too long

Posted by Death Metal Nightmare from MKE on 06/17/09 at 11:55 AM ET

There is no market for hockey in Phoenix. There is no culture of hockey and no real fan base. Snowbirds and retirees.Phoenix is a very transient city. I lived there from 91-2003, and I loved going to games. That was when they played at AWA ,and still couldn’t fill the building.  Hockey has never really caught on in the desert.
No matter how many times you say the Coyotes can be successful, doesn’t make it so. Bettman needs to let this one go so fans that would actually appreciate an NHL franchise can get one.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 06/17/09 at 01:32 PM ET

There is no market for hockey in Phoenix. There is no culture of hockey and no real fan base. Snowbirds and retirees.Phoenix is a very transient city. I lived there from 91-2003, and I loved going to games. That was when they played at AWA ,and still couldn’t fill the building.  Hockey has never really caught on in the desert.
No matter how many times you say the Coyotes can be successful, doesn’t make it so. Bettman needs to let this one go so fans that would actually appreciate an NHL franchise can get one.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 06/17/09 at 01:32 PM ET

I love you, Kate.  LOL!

The same wording in Kate’s comment can most definitely be applied to Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Mayor Goodman was thrilled that one day when the NBA ASG came into town and played at the Thomas & Mack Arena - which is where the UNLV basketball teams play.  The resulting thug/goon crowds that it brought and the police blotter that filled up in a hurry soured him to the idea of an NBA team moving into Las Vegas.  So he turned his back on the NBA and looked longingly at the NHL.  What he should’ve done in addition to hosting the numerous overtures into this town is actually go to an ECHL game on an odd night and see the crowds halfway filling up a 7,778 seat arena.  He should get a grasp of the hockey interest in this town just by seeing that kind of a turnout.

As wonderful and engaging as a mayor of this town, Goodman is at his constitutionally mandated term limit.  Maybe the next mayor is much more perceptive of the realities of bringing in a top-flight professional league-quality team into this town.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 06/17/09 at 05:25 PM ET

Red got it right. The reassuring thing about all of this is that none of the posters here have a say and the league and the court are clearly focused on keeping the team in Phoenix. In case you didn’t read the result of the ruling, the judge did uphold the leagues right to control where teams are located and how much a fee can be charged to relocate and also that Balsillie wasn’t buying a franchise in Hamilton but the one in Phoenix. What he held off on was the issue of whether Balsillie could vacate the lease by the bankruptcy end run, and there is no indication he would have won that issue either. So folks can pretend this wasn’t a win for the league and Phoenix, but it clearly was!

Posted by Tero from Tacoma on 06/17/09 at 08:56 PM ET

Tero, who said that I want Phoenix to move to Hamilton? I’m just trying to straighten out the facts, this story is not over yet, no ruling was made on anything except Balsillie’s timetable and his accusations of anti-trust (since the NHL had not received an application until recently).

Its funny how people get so entrenched in their positions on both sides. They are willing to throw out facts because they think if they spin enough it will make a difference.

Posted by bcrt on 06/17/09 at 10:37 PM ET