Kukla's Korner Hockey
Next entry: Ready to Go
Previous entry: Mistakes Etched Into History
It’s Not Personal, Says Bettman
by Alanah McGinley on 05/30/09 at 05:03 PM ET
Comments (6)
From Tim Panaccio at CSN Philly.com:
Three separate times, Bettman stressed that his fight with Balsillie, which has been largely painted in Canada as a deeply personal one, wasn’t “personal” at all, but a matter of following league procedures and policy.
“The issue here is league rules and league processes and procedures,” Bettman said “… This is not just an NHL issue. This is not a Canada versus U.S. issue. This is not a Phoenix versus Hamilton issue. And this is certainly not a personal issue. Any notion to the contrary we think is simply off the mark.”
Bettman said he would welcome this issue before his Board of Governors.
“If and when the board is going to consider Mr. Balsillie as an owner, if I am asked an opinion I will express it,” Bettman said. “I’ll express it to the board first, before I express it to the world. If in the final analysis, the owners conclude that he is somebody they would like to have as a partner, then we will vote him in. If in the final analysis they don’t think he’s suitable to be a partner, for whatever reason, they’ll conclude to keep him out. If their opinion is one they are interested in, I will express it to them when asked.”
read on for more from Gary Bettman’s press conference today, on a variety of topics
Update 6:30 pm ET: Much more from Bettman’s press conference can be read here, from the CP via TSN.
Filed in: NHL Talk, NHL Business of Hockey | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
I don’t know if I neccesarily believe it isn’t personal, because if I was Bettman I would be a total idiot- um, I mean, I would be pissed that this *#$%@& douchebag is trying to do an end-around into the league.
I personally think that another team in the GTA area is not a bad idea, and could be supported, but this is absolutely not the right way to do it, by trying to bully a professional sports league into letting you in. Give me a break…
It makes me feel dirty to side with Bettman…just like it made me feel dirty to have to be on Lindros’s side when Bobby Clark was trying to *#$%@& him over…
Posted by Garth on 05/30/09 at 06:53 PM ET
Everything with Bettman is personal. Just ask some NHL franchises like, oh, Detroit…
Posted by Primis on 05/30/09 at 09:06 PM ET
i question the legitimicy of this article. Panaccio has an history of fabrication an article before he got FIRED at Philly Inquirer.
Posted by FlyersFan on 05/30/09 at 10:10 PM ET
The quotes are legit, as I have the transcript of the press conference available. But you can get more detail from the second link, if you like, the CP story at TSN. 
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 05/30/09 at 10:14 PM ET
Everything with Bettman is personal. Just ask some NHL franchises like, oh, Detroit…
Got the tin hat a little tight don’t you?
I kid! I kid!
If you’re refering to the short rest (really short!) and back to back games that the Wings were handed, that was just Buttman bending over for NBC.
Posted by AvsRock from My timeshare in insanity... on 05/30/09 at 11:31 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Video-Shane Lehman, Always A Hockey Player
Making Peace At The Winter Classic
You Have A 2 1/2 Hour Window To Do What You Do
About KK Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker
Make extra cash while playing online poker. Rakeback is free and comes with rake races.
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.
A team and coach that did not even attend a Save the Coyotes rally let alone the 40 or so fans that live there.
Phoenix is a very transient city and a big part of the population are Snowbirds or retirees. There is no culture of hockey in the desert.. Shane Doan deserves better.
Mr. Bettman’s Coyotes=Epic Fail.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 05/30/09 at 05:20 PM ET