Post by WpgJets2008 on Aug 31, 2009 10:09:41 GMT -5
This could be losing the battle (Coyotes) to win the war (anti-trust) for Balsillie.
Why would the Leafs send out that letter, knowing full well that Balsillie might get it, and use it to end the very veto the Leafs wanted to protect by putting the letter out there in the first place? How stupid are the Leafs?
Based on this letter, the NHL constitution does look like a monopoly to protect the local team from further competition and therefore anti-trust laws can and will break up these sorts of cartels. And now the Leafs letter goes along way to show that is exactly how they viewed the situation in contrast to the "majority rules" votes that the NHL contends is how they dealt with relocations since 1993.
With Balsillie now staking his rather large claim, look for the NHL to try to settle with Balsillie regarding the Coyotes. And then look for the NHL to settle with the Leafs.
This mess just got 100 times bigger for the NHL (and the other pro sports leagues)! And if he is unsuccessful, Bettman could be the scapegoat and conduit for the owners's rath about the Leafs ruining their little club.
~~~
REPORT: MAPLE LEAFS, NHL AT ODDS OVER TERRITORIAL RIGHTS
Aug 31, 2009 Tsn.ca
www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=289423
The National Hockey League and the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to have a difference of opinion when it comes the club's veto power that would prevent another team from moving into their territory.
According to the Globe and Mail, Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie, who is looking to move the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton, filed a letter in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Friday, that shows that the Leafs do not agree with the NHL's position, which is that a veto does not exist.
"The Toronto Maple Leafs do not agree that a relocation of another club into their home territory would be subject to a majority vote (of the league board)," The letter dated November 29, 2006 to league commissioner Gary Bettman said. "They continue to believe that a unanimous vote would be required before a team could relocate into their home territory."
The Balsillie group will return to court on Wednesday where they will have a hearing to determine if their bid of $212.5 million will be allowed in light of Balsillie being denied as a potential owner earlier this summer.
Balsillie is expected to argue that the NHL's primary reason for denying his bid is largely based on the Leafs insistence that they can veto the move to Hamilton. Balsillie's group has also previously stated that the NHL wanted to keep the veto a secret because it might be illegal.
Chris
PS> If you read the NHL constitution, you'll see that the wording does include "exclusive" but not "veto". Legally, it must be one and the same as you'll see below.
See page 15 of 35, clause 4.3:
manitobamythbusters.com/facts_figures/NHL%20Constitution.pdf
Why would the Leafs send out that letter, knowing full well that Balsillie might get it, and use it to end the very veto the Leafs wanted to protect by putting the letter out there in the first place? How stupid are the Leafs?
Based on this letter, the NHL constitution does look like a monopoly to protect the local team from further competition and therefore anti-trust laws can and will break up these sorts of cartels. And now the Leafs letter goes along way to show that is exactly how they viewed the situation in contrast to the "majority rules" votes that the NHL contends is how they dealt with relocations since 1993.
With Balsillie now staking his rather large claim, look for the NHL to try to settle with Balsillie regarding the Coyotes. And then look for the NHL to settle with the Leafs.
This mess just got 100 times bigger for the NHL (and the other pro sports leagues)! And if he is unsuccessful, Bettman could be the scapegoat and conduit for the owners's rath about the Leafs ruining their little club.
~~~
REPORT: MAPLE LEAFS, NHL AT ODDS OVER TERRITORIAL RIGHTS
Aug 31, 2009 Tsn.ca
www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=289423
The National Hockey League and the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to have a difference of opinion when it comes the club's veto power that would prevent another team from moving into their territory.
According to the Globe and Mail, Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie, who is looking to move the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton, filed a letter in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Friday, that shows that the Leafs do not agree with the NHL's position, which is that a veto does not exist.
"The Toronto Maple Leafs do not agree that a relocation of another club into their home territory would be subject to a majority vote (of the league board)," The letter dated November 29, 2006 to league commissioner Gary Bettman said. "They continue to believe that a unanimous vote would be required before a team could relocate into their home territory."
The Balsillie group will return to court on Wednesday where they will have a hearing to determine if their bid of $212.5 million will be allowed in light of Balsillie being denied as a potential owner earlier this summer.
Balsillie is expected to argue that the NHL's primary reason for denying his bid is largely based on the Leafs insistence that they can veto the move to Hamilton. Balsillie's group has also previously stated that the NHL wanted to keep the veto a secret because it might be illegal.
Chris
PS> If you read the NHL constitution, you'll see that the wording does include "exclusive" but not "veto". Legally, it must be one and the same as you'll see below.
See page 15 of 35, clause 4.3:
manitobamythbusters.com/facts_figures/NHL%20Constitution.pdf