Post by WpgJets2008 on Oct 14, 2009 13:30:31 GMT -5
Hamilton won't quit NHL fight
Kevin McGran, Toronto Star Oct 14 2009
www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/article/708859--hamilton-won-t-quit-nhl-fight
Billionaire Jim Balsillie may no longer be pursuing an NHL team, but that's not going to stop the city of Hamilton.
Balsillie's lease with the city that gives him exclusive rights to an NHL team at Copps Coliseum ends this week. Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger says that once that takes effect, the city will meet with commissioner Gary Bettman to let the league know about its continued interest in attracting a second team to southern Ontario.
"We have certainly talked over the last few months and we still have an agreement with Mr. Balsillie that's due to expire," Eisenberger said. "Once that happens, we'll be taking the next steps to do more work on what the next iteration for NHL hockey in Hamilton is."
Talk of the NHL putting another team in Canada heated up over the weekend, with Quebec officials having returned from a meeting with Bettman. Quebec is expecting an announcement on funding for a new $250 million, 18,000-seat arena for which 70 luxury suites have been sold and $9 million in season-seat deposits already raised.
Bettman has been particularly frank the past few weeks in talking about returning hockey to Quebec, Winnipeg and Hamilton. Up to 10 teams might be for sale or candidates for relocation. It's in the league's interest to let the governing bodies of current NHL cities know there is an appetite for hockey elsewhere as the league tries to get better deals for its owners.
In Long Island, for example, a local council is holding up funding for a new building for the New York Islanders, much to the frustration of owner Charles Wang.
The league still hasn't decided what it's going to do about the Phoenix Coyotes, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. Balsillie backed away after a bankruptcy court judge rejected his $242.5 million (U.S.) offer for the club because of league rights over relocation.
Chris
Kevin McGran, Toronto Star Oct 14 2009
www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/article/708859--hamilton-won-t-quit-nhl-fight
Billionaire Jim Balsillie may no longer be pursuing an NHL team, but that's not going to stop the city of Hamilton.
Balsillie's lease with the city that gives him exclusive rights to an NHL team at Copps Coliseum ends this week. Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger says that once that takes effect, the city will meet with commissioner Gary Bettman to let the league know about its continued interest in attracting a second team to southern Ontario.
"We have certainly talked over the last few months and we still have an agreement with Mr. Balsillie that's due to expire," Eisenberger said. "Once that happens, we'll be taking the next steps to do more work on what the next iteration for NHL hockey in Hamilton is."
Talk of the NHL putting another team in Canada heated up over the weekend, with Quebec officials having returned from a meeting with Bettman. Quebec is expecting an announcement on funding for a new $250 million, 18,000-seat arena for which 70 luxury suites have been sold and $9 million in season-seat deposits already raised.
Bettman has been particularly frank the past few weeks in talking about returning hockey to Quebec, Winnipeg and Hamilton. Up to 10 teams might be for sale or candidates for relocation. It's in the league's interest to let the governing bodies of current NHL cities know there is an appetite for hockey elsewhere as the league tries to get better deals for its owners.
In Long Island, for example, a local council is holding up funding for a new building for the New York Islanders, much to the frustration of owner Charles Wang.
The league still hasn't decided what it's going to do about the Phoenix Coyotes, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. Balsillie backed away after a bankruptcy court judge rejected his $242.5 million (U.S.) offer for the club because of league rights over relocation.
Chris