Phoenix Situation: JUST THE MEDIA LINKS - NO DISCUSSION THREAD

[LadyStanley]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/7922/glendale-vote-doesnt-mean-stability-in-phoenix

Burnside's take on situation

 

[billy blaze]

Bettman on his show says Phoenix is unique for ownership

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/05/12/bettman-talks-thrashers-nhl-hour/

"I wish I had a dollar for all of the reports a month ago that said the Coyotes were definitely moving and it was going to happen in a matter of days.

"Phoenix is a little unique compared to anywhere else because, unlike the other 29 franchises, the League happens to own Phoenix. So our involvement is much more direct and we're much more visible than we'd be simply because we're there having to supervise the operation of the club. … What happened in Phoenix, and let's be clear about this, and what may differentiate it from any other franchise anywhere else is the fact that the city of Glendale has been supporting the club last season and basically we were asked to stay for another season and the city of Glendale is paying $25 million for us to stay.

"Why did we buy Phoenix? It was an unusual circumstance; again, we were involved in litigation, the team was in bankruptcy, and the important principles of the League having the right to determine who owns the franchise and where they're located needed to be vindicated in court as they were, as the two most important rights that any sports league has.

 

[billy blaze]

Daly tells Atlanta Journal Constitution why NHL is fighting in Phoenix, and basically non existent in Atlanta

http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-b...cuing-others/?cxntfid=blogs_jeff_schultz_blog

Q: You and commissioner Gary Bettman both made frequent trips to Phoenix to speak publicly about the Coyotes staying there, but there has been no similar efforts in Atlanta. Why not?

A: “The situations are very different from a host of perspectives, not the least of which are the bankruptcy issues we had [in Phoenix], the fight in bankruptcy court and the league having to purchase the club. There were a unique set of circumstances that required the league’s presence in Glendale. The bottom line is, we owned that club.â€

Q: I understand that. But does that preclude you or Gary from coming to Atlanta to show support for the franchise and help the process?

A: “No, of course not. If there was some reasonable sense that a public appeal would move the process along, then something would be done. But we’re not at that point.â€