Bettman: ATL relo "one-off" (no more foreseen); Balsillie-approach not suggested

[New User Name]

I tend to agree with Damien Cox (shudders)

“Some people are speculating that we came here as a last resort. That is absolutely not true,†said Bettman, who contradicted himself by saying the NHL had “no choice†but to let the Thrashers move north.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hocke...istory-is-being-made-for-hockey-loving-canada

 

[Fugu]

Jesus - Gary Bettman could walk into a building drenched head-to-toe and tell you it's raining outside, and you guys would be convinced that he walked through a carwash and is just BS'ing you.

Get over yourselves.

And we'd be right.

 

[PuckHogs29]

And if the Coyotes can't get a local owner and Glendale won't pony up again next year? Then what?

 

[New User Name]

Jesus - Gary Bettman could walk into a building drenched head-to-toe and tell you it's raining outside, and you guys would be convinced that he walked through a carwash and is just BS'ing you.

Get over yourselves.

And then there's people that would believe Gary if he said he walked on water.

 

[Evil Doctor]

I tend to agree with Damien Cox (shudders)



http://www.thestar.com/sports/hocke...istory-is-being-made-for-hockey-loving-canada

The commissioner tried to sound excited about the return to the ’Peg, and he’s got a shiny new billionaire in Thomson to join the NHL lodge, but the sarcastic tweets rolled in during his Winnipeg news conference. Wrote @Busgod99: “I have seen more believable performances from hostages saying they are being treated OK despite the bloody lip and black eyes.â€

 

[MJB Devils23*]

The hate of Bettman has gone from the ridiculous to the sublime. I hate Bettman. Don't get me wrong. But to say he hasn't done more good for the game than bad is pure lunacy.

 

[Steve Passless*]

Did I miss a statement from Columbus ownership advising that there were "Columbus problems"?

Do you require one? Would you call their arena situation healthy?

 

[matCH penalty]

He never said Winnipeg wouldn't get a team, he just kept pouring cold water on rumors until the deal was done.

He hasn't come anywhere near saying such things about QC.

There aren't the same level of credible rumors about Québecor as there were about TNSE. Yet, at least.

TNSE's problem was finding a team, QC's problem is the arena. When Glenade runs out of money to put in the fire pit, I think it'll be interesting to see where the chips end up. I never bought Hulsizer for a minute, and I sincerely doubt there's a credible buyer for an NHL team in Phoenix.

 

[Steve Passless*]

I think as soon as the drive for 13 is a success, you're really going to start seeing the Quebecor vultures circling above. I mean "vultures" in the nicest way, of course; I'm rooting for Quebec City every step of the way. But yeah, if Winnipeg can come up big and prove itself in the coming weeks, I think we'll hear a lot more about Quebec.

 

[cbcwpg]

Having been on both sides of the team moving transaction now, I can say that Bettman is right in that any talk of relocation should be kept under raps as best as it can be, because it does no good to the fans that might lose thier team and its just as bad on the fans that might get a team.

The fact is that hopes in Winnipeg were raised to a very high level long before we were sure to get a team, and imagine the feeling if we didn't get the end result we did get.

 

[tarheelhockey]

TNSE's problem was finding a team, QC's problem is the arena. When Glenade runs out of money to put in the fire pit, I think it'll be interesting to see where the chips end up. I never bought Hulsizer for a minute, and I sincerely doubt there's a credible buyer for an NHL team in Phoenix.

I agree, but I think people need to be prepared for the announcement that a group from [insert other city] is also interested in the Coyotes. From the tone of Bettman's comments, it sounds like QC is not going to be on the table at all until they get their arena situation straightened out.

 

[jacketracket*]

Do you require one?

Yes.

Until you've provided documentation that Columbus ownership is no longer willing to work with arena owners to resolve an unfavorable lease situation, and keep the team operating, this is nothing more than a "Steve's [mod] problem with Columbus". Not a "Columbus problem".

 

[CorbeauNoir]

Jesus - Gary Bettman could walk into a building drenched head-to-toe and tell you it's raining outside, and you guys would be convinced that he walked through a carwash and is just BS'ing you.

Get over yourselves.

Cry wolf enough times...

 

[matCH penalty]

I agree, but I think people need to be prepared for the announcement that a group from [insert other city] is also interested in the Coyotes.

If I were a betting man, I'd put a lot of it on KC.

From the tone of Bettman's comments, it sounds like QC is not going to be on the table at all until they get their arena situation straightened out.

Whether that ends up being funding, shovels, or dried paint is what interests me.

Ottawa, SJ, and Tampa played in awful arenas temporarily. But that was twenty years ago, and there's some nice shiny places already.

 

[Steve Passless*]

Yes.

Until you've provided documentation that Columbus ownership is no longer willing to work with arena owners to resolve an unfavorable lease situation, and keep the team operating, this is nothing more than a "Steve ,,, problem with Columbus". Not a "Columbus problem".

I don't have a problem with them. I don't care one bit about them. But an unfavorable lease--hey, you said it--is a problem.

 

[CorbeauNoir]

If I were a betting man, I'd put a lot of it on KC

Has there been any word of interested ownership?

 

[jacketracket*]

I don't have a problem with them. I don't care one bit about them. But an unfavorable lease--hey, you said it--is a problem.

Exactly as I said - this is a "Steve problem".

It becomes a "Columbus problem" once Columbus ownership gives any indication that the lease situation is no longer tenable and they want out, or the market not a profitable one even with a workable lease.

 

[matCH penalty]

Has there been any word of interested ownership?

No. But if there's an American group with real money and paper to prove it, that seems like the place to me.

 

[Potrzebie]

Bettman also told Peggers not to get their hopes up and that no one was moving. Can't believe a word he says anymore. That may be his job, but he also told us everything in Phoenix was just peachy.

Bettman also had to lie to make sure Atlanta fans still attended games.

I don't believe a word of it.

Bettman has done nothing but lie about the state of franchises from day one.
History speaks louder and truer than a weasel lawyer

So basically, Bettman cannot be trusted on any business matters. Fine, not his job to be honest to the general public, but let's not pretend that the Coyotes and Blue Jackets aren't in severe trouble anymore because he told Quebec City not to get their hopes up.

I sure hope Crazy_Ike is on holidays somewhere without internet access.

 

[edog37]

Jesus - Gary Bettman could walk into a building drenched head-to-toe and tell you it's raining outside, and you guys would be convinced that he walked through a carwash and is just BS'ing you.

Get over yourselves.

Bettman's job is to support his owners, period. If that means throwing cold water on rumors, then he'll do it & willingly so. That's why I laugh when he gets all the blame he does. He is just acting on behalf of the BOG who determine how the league runs.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

Bettman is pretty well versed in legal-ese. He never even acknowledged relocation of Atlanta as a possibility until the deal was virtually complete.

Nothing he has said is incorrect; I think that he and the league's desire is to see all franchises remain where they are at. If local ownership cannot be found, they are forced to explore elsewhere. There's nothing surprising about that to me.

 

[BadHammy*]

Bettman is just a failure, because instead of relocating the franchise that needed it most badly for the last several years, he allows a stop-gap, half measure because he's personally invested in saving Phoenix, whereas he never was in Atlanta. Until the Bettman (and Campbell) are gone, I'm done supporting the NHL.

 

[Melrose Munch]

Bettman is just a failure, because instead of relocating the franchise that needed it most badly for the last several years, he allows a stop-gap, half measure because he's personally invested in saving Phoenix, whereas he never was in Atlanta. Until the Bettman (and Campbell) are gone, I'm done supporting the NHL.

Hey, at least stay on the basketball boards and the lounge don.

 

[Retail1LO*]

If I were a betting man, I'd put a lot of it on KC.


Whether that ends up being funding, shovels, or dried paint is what interests me.

Ottawa, SJ, and Tampa played in awful arenas temporarily. But that was twenty years ago, and there's some nice shiny places already.

I wouldn't. The Sprint Center has actually mentioned (I'm not going to dig up the quote) that they're not actively seeking an NHL team. The Sprint Center is one of the busiest entertainment centers in North America. They're doing exceedingly well without a pro sports tenant.

 

[edog37]

Do you require one? Would you call their arena situation healthy?

I would call it leverage towards a possible lease renegotiation.