Post by Ric O. on Aug 20, 2009 17:44:17 GMT -5
Melnyk Lashes Out At Balsillie
Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is firing back at BlackBerry billionaire Jim Balsillie. Melnyk has released a statement that reads like an open letter to Balsillie, addressing claims by the Research In Motion co-CEO that he lacks personal integrity and expressing dismay over Balsillie's attempts to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.
In recent court filings, Balsillie cited Melnyk and other NHL owners while saying that questions of character have never been used by the league when it came to prospective buyers.
Melnyk acknowledges in his statement that he's paid fines to the Ontario Securities Commission for `administrative oversights' but notes that it was a far cry from the sanctions that have been levied against Balsillie and his company Research In Motion.
In the statement, Melnyk indicates he once felt bad for Balsillie but now understands why he shouldn't be allowed to own an NHL team.
The following is Melnyk's full statement followed by a statement from the NHL:
"As a businessman, I know about playing tough and getting your elbows up. I also know lessons that most of us learned early in our childhoods - you play fair; you play by the rules and you help others when you can.
I have watched with some dismay Jim Balsillie's fall from being a deserving business icon to what now appears to be a desperate man willing to say anything or do anything to buy an NHL franchise.
I used to privately feel sympathy for his plight, but as I've watched his conduct with and towards the league and other owners, I clearly believe the sport of hockey is better off without him.
In a recent legal filing, he dragged me into his hurricane of legal filings and panicked pleas and cited me as someone who is lacking the personal integrity to own the Ottawa Senators hockey franchise.
I've tried to reach Jim through his office to find out why he would say something like this about me - we barely know each other - but I've received no response.
I will say in response publicly that his willingness to drag down anyone he can get his hands on along with him is discouraging and saddens me.
Jim and I both found great success in our Canadian businesses. And that
is where the comparisons stop.
When I sought to purchase the Ottawa Senators, there were great obstacles but I played by the rules and respected the NHL as an institution. I have spent my adult life helping others - supporting charities, orphanages, day care centres, supporting our troops and our athletes.
I do these things to give back to my country and to really deserving men, women and children in Canada. I mind my own business and don't drag in others when I get into trouble.
It is well documented that I was required to pay fines to the OSC over civil administrative oversights like filing paperwork on time. This is a far cry from the sanctions imposed on Jim Balsillie by the Ontario Securities
Commission arising from his role in the improper grant by Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM, TSX: RIM) of more than 1,000 stock options involving millions of shares over a period of almost ten years, his role in the systematic and repeated issuance by RIM over many years of misleading disclosure concerning RIM's stock option dating practices, and the benefits Balsillie derived personally from stock options that were granted improperly to him . These sanctions are widely acknowledged to be among the most severe ever imposed by
a Securities Commission in Canada (see www.osc.gov.on.ca/Enforcement/Proceedings/AlphaListing/ep_r_index.jsp)
I'm comfortable in my own skin, Jim. You should look around at the friends you are losing and the damage you are causing to yourself, the NHL and all Canadians."
NHL Statement:
The following is a statement issued by NHL spokesperson Bill Daly:
"I'm not going to comment specifically except to say that none of the cited situations are even remotely comparable to Balsillie's situation. With respect to Mr. Melnyk in particular, Balsillie's attempt in any way to disparage his reputation and his good standing as an NHL owner is nothing more than a malicious act of desperation. During his time in the League, Mr. Melnyk has been a model owner and good and loyal business partner to the rest of the League's Clubs. He has consistently and effectively advocated in the best interests of his franchise, while at the same time acting consistently with, and in support of, broader League interests and initiatives.
None of the circumstances cited in Balsillie's legal filings have in any way affected Mr. Melnyk's ability to be an effective owner, or have otherwise adversely impacted the reputation of the National Hockey League. Mr. Balsillie knows full well why he was unanimously rejected by the NHL Board of Governors. He has consistently and repeatedly demonstrated a total disregard of League rules and structure. He has turned his back on numerous commitments and representations made to the League and to our owners demonstrating a clear
lack of personal integrity. And he has spent considerable time and resources deliberately attempting to destabilize and undermine both the League and several of our franchises, which has caused significant damage to our business as a result. Why would any team or owner in our League want him as a business partner?"
THE CANADIAN PRESS/OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE
Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is firing back at BlackBerry billionaire Jim Balsillie. Melnyk has released a statement that reads like an open letter to Balsillie, addressing claims by the Research In Motion co-CEO that he lacks personal integrity and expressing dismay over Balsillie's attempts to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.
In recent court filings, Balsillie cited Melnyk and other NHL owners while saying that questions of character have never been used by the league when it came to prospective buyers.
Melnyk acknowledges in his statement that he's paid fines to the Ontario Securities Commission for `administrative oversights' but notes that it was a far cry from the sanctions that have been levied against Balsillie and his company Research In Motion.
In the statement, Melnyk indicates he once felt bad for Balsillie but now understands why he shouldn't be allowed to own an NHL team.
The following is Melnyk's full statement followed by a statement from the NHL:
"As a businessman, I know about playing tough and getting your elbows up. I also know lessons that most of us learned early in our childhoods - you play fair; you play by the rules and you help others when you can.
I have watched with some dismay Jim Balsillie's fall from being a deserving business icon to what now appears to be a desperate man willing to say anything or do anything to buy an NHL franchise.
I used to privately feel sympathy for his plight, but as I've watched his conduct with and towards the league and other owners, I clearly believe the sport of hockey is better off without him.
In a recent legal filing, he dragged me into his hurricane of legal filings and panicked pleas and cited me as someone who is lacking the personal integrity to own the Ottawa Senators hockey franchise.
I've tried to reach Jim through his office to find out why he would say something like this about me - we barely know each other - but I've received no response.
I will say in response publicly that his willingness to drag down anyone he can get his hands on along with him is discouraging and saddens me.
Jim and I both found great success in our Canadian businesses. And that
is where the comparisons stop.
When I sought to purchase the Ottawa Senators, there were great obstacles but I played by the rules and respected the NHL as an institution. I have spent my adult life helping others - supporting charities, orphanages, day care centres, supporting our troops and our athletes.
I do these things to give back to my country and to really deserving men, women and children in Canada. I mind my own business and don't drag in others when I get into trouble.
It is well documented that I was required to pay fines to the OSC over civil administrative oversights like filing paperwork on time. This is a far cry from the sanctions imposed on Jim Balsillie by the Ontario Securities
Commission arising from his role in the improper grant by Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM, TSX: RIM) of more than 1,000 stock options involving millions of shares over a period of almost ten years, his role in the systematic and repeated issuance by RIM over many years of misleading disclosure concerning RIM's stock option dating practices, and the benefits Balsillie derived personally from stock options that were granted improperly to him . These sanctions are widely acknowledged to be among the most severe ever imposed by
a Securities Commission in Canada (see www.osc.gov.on.ca/Enforcement/Proceedings/AlphaListing/ep_r_index.jsp)
I'm comfortable in my own skin, Jim. You should look around at the friends you are losing and the damage you are causing to yourself, the NHL and all Canadians."
NHL Statement:
The following is a statement issued by NHL spokesperson Bill Daly:
"I'm not going to comment specifically except to say that none of the cited situations are even remotely comparable to Balsillie's situation. With respect to Mr. Melnyk in particular, Balsillie's attempt in any way to disparage his reputation and his good standing as an NHL owner is nothing more than a malicious act of desperation. During his time in the League, Mr. Melnyk has been a model owner and good and loyal business partner to the rest of the League's Clubs. He has consistently and effectively advocated in the best interests of his franchise, while at the same time acting consistently with, and in support of, broader League interests and initiatives.
None of the circumstances cited in Balsillie's legal filings have in any way affected Mr. Melnyk's ability to be an effective owner, or have otherwise adversely impacted the reputation of the National Hockey League. Mr. Balsillie knows full well why he was unanimously rejected by the NHL Board of Governors. He has consistently and repeatedly demonstrated a total disregard of League rules and structure. He has turned his back on numerous commitments and representations made to the League and to our owners demonstrating a clear
lack of personal integrity. And he has spent considerable time and resources deliberately attempting to destabilize and undermine both the League and several of our franchises, which has caused significant damage to our business as a result. Why would any team or owner in our League want him as a business partner?"
THE CANADIAN PRESS/OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE