Ernie
Registered User
- Aug 3, 2004
- 12,759
- 2,157
I have to wonder if Hulsizer himself might not be quietly backing away...
Not only would he have to eat the current year's massive losses, but a $40m deficit would also indicate that it's going to take a LOT longer before he could possibly break even on the team, even with all the subsidies.
Complicating matters for the NHL might be that the Thrashers could also be looking to move their team to Winnipeg. If they were to close a deal with TNSE, the league would be holding the bag with a team in Phoenix that is facing massive losses and no obvious place to move to. Sure, Kansas City or Houston might be options, but at what sale price? Can they get the same $170m that is offered by TNSE?
So time is indeed running out for the league. What they must be looking to do right now is quietly make a deal with TNSE, and then announce it once the season is over. Looks like they will be on the hook for $15m in losses this season. And that miscalculation WILL hang around Bettman's neck.
They should have just worked out a reasonable relocation price with Balsillie that would have paid off all the interested parties, left the league with a healthy profit and dumped back significant revenue sharing to the poorer teams for years to come. Now, even if they end up with a team in Winnipeg, it's going to be a significant revenue sharing suck.
Not only would he have to eat the current year's massive losses, but a $40m deficit would also indicate that it's going to take a LOT longer before he could possibly break even on the team, even with all the subsidies.
Complicating matters for the NHL might be that the Thrashers could also be looking to move their team to Winnipeg. If they were to close a deal with TNSE, the league would be holding the bag with a team in Phoenix that is facing massive losses and no obvious place to move to. Sure, Kansas City or Houston might be options, but at what sale price? Can they get the same $170m that is offered by TNSE?
So time is indeed running out for the league. What they must be looking to do right now is quietly make a deal with TNSE, and then announce it once the season is over. Looks like they will be on the hook for $15m in losses this season. And that miscalculation WILL hang around Bettman's neck.
They should have just worked out a reasonable relocation price with Balsillie that would have paid off all the interested parties, left the league with a healthy profit and dumped back significant revenue sharing to the poorer teams for years to come. Now, even if they end up with a team in Winnipeg, it's going to be a significant revenue sharing suck.