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This Could Go 15 Rounds
by Paul on 06/14/07 at 07:38 AM ET
Comments (3)
from Damien Cox of the Toronto Star,
Either Jim Balsillie relishes a good fight or he’s determined that the NHL can’t legally stop his bold move to bring a second franchise to southern Ontario.
The latter seems to be the smartest guess, and my goodness, this is becoming quite the spectacle, not to mention the biggest hockey story of the year.
Even before actually taking a seat among the tight circle of NHL owners, Balsillie has gone out of his way to identify himself as a flamboyant renegade.
added 8:03am, from the Nashville Post,
If the deal does fall apart and Leipold retains ownership, it doesn’t mean that everyone can sit back, wipe his or her brow and say, “Boy that was a close one. We’re safe now.” Leipold could move the team himself.
Although he has said he wants to keep the team here, he also said he can’t make it work in Nashville without substantial corporate sponsorship and ticket sales.
What’s more, even if the ticket sales increase to keep the team here, that may not be enough to stem losses, leaving Leipold and the NHL in quite the dilemma – a money-losing team with an owner trying avoid more losses stuck in a long-term lease.
Filed in: Nashville Predators | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
Hopefully he can move the team. It is obvious the corporate support is not there in Nashville. Hamilton would be a great place for a team, with so many natural rivals… Would it work there? Who knows, but I’d bet it would have a better chance there than in Nashville or Winnipeg (Due to smaller facility and less corporate support possibilities).
Would love to see Toronto and Buffalo give in on this one… perhaps it would finally force the Leafs to do ‘everything possible’ to win a cup…
Posted by WingMan from Canada on 06/14/07 at 10:06 AM ET
This whole situation with Jim Balsillie will show you how weak bettman is and this should be a wake up call to the BOG.
Putting a team back in canada is the WORST move this league can do at this time. they are better off in us city like kansas city or houston that has a bigger market to work with.
it doesnt make sense to put a team 30 miles away from toronto....
Posted by FlyersFan on 06/14/07 at 11:04 AM ET
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And in a further update, it appears that Balsillie’s items will NOT be on the Board of Governors agenda for the June 20 meeting.
Posted by The Forechecker from Nashville on 06/14/07 at 09:02 AM ET