But another team in Toronto? Bettman is not a fan of that idea, despite the fact there are three clubs in the New York-New Jersey area and two teams here in southern California.
"It's not something I've given any thought to," Bettman said of having another team in Toronto. "... I frankly think, and I live in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, it's tough for all the clubs to get media attention, particularly when they're having tough years on the ice.
"There's some real downside to having multiple teams in one market." The message seems clear from the commissioner: if Jim Balsillie wants to move the Nashville Predators, the NHL would rather have them move to Winnipeg than Waterloo, Ont., the home of the Research In Motion CEO.
Okay, but, where does that say Balsillie would want to go there? It's not about making money to this guy, he's on "the list" of the richest guys in the world. If he's moving it, he's moving it to South Ontario, as per his dream. I think he's got more interest in keeping it in Nashville than moving to Winnipeg or KC.
Okay, but, where does that say Balsillie would want to go there? It's not about making money to this guy, he's on "the list" of the richest guys in the world. If he's moving it, he's moving it to South Ontario, as per his dream. I think he's got more interest in keeping it in Nashville than moving to Winnipeg or KC.
I still think the NHL has a strong influence in determining whichever city the Predators reside in. I would imagine that any ratification for the relocation of a team would be necessary by the Board of Governors...along with Bettman's blessing. However, if Balsillie wants a team in his hometown bad enough, he could make it happen. As well, I also don't think Winnipeg is at the top of the relocation list, for the NHL, in North America...only in Canada though. Regardless, my point has been made about Winnipeg being considered as a potential destination city for the NHL. I certainly hope the Preds can stay in Nashville.
I'm not trying to gloat but to at least get an appolgy for the crap I've been given since January Yes I was wrong about it being KC (Bald Silly simply out bid them). I am extremly angry as everyone else is. Balsillie is going to move to Canada regaurdless. If the attendance is too good, he will simply gut the team to the AHL level and hold out for years until the support is not there. His intentions are crystal clear and there is nothing we can do to stop him.
I'm no lawyer, but I suspect that he has to be subtle to do this. Any blatant guting of the team, raising of prices, etc. would probably be grounds for a lawsuit for both the city and the league.
I still think the NHL has a strong influence in determining whichever city the Predators reside in. I would imagine that any ratification for the relocation of a team would be necessary by the Board of Governors...along with Bettman's blessing. However, if Balsillie wants a team in his hometown bad enough, he could make it happen. As well, I also don't think Winnipeg is at the top of the relocation list, for the NHL, in North America...only in Canada though. Regardless, my point has been made about Winnipeg being considered as a potential destination city for the NHL. I certainly hope the Preds can stay in Nashville.
Isles fan here who is also hoping the Preds can stay. (My franchise also suffered through location-in-limbo situations for a number of years before Wang bought the team, so I can sympathize with what you're all going through.)
I agree that the NHL's Board of Governors can be very influential in where a team is located, but I think that's exactly why Balsillie went so over-the-top in his bid...raising the Predators' value raises every other team's value. And when he goes in to make his relocation pitch, he can say, "I raised your franchise's value by X-million dollars, I should be allowed to do what I want." Whether 75% of the owners will listen to that argument is questionable, however.
It's a crazy scenario...the guy is basically playing a real-life version of Madden, where he wants to take control of a team, then move it to wherever he wants, including his own backyard, no matter how solid or flawed the logic may be. Balsillie's intentions with the Preds are underhanded at best, fraudulent at worst.
I agree with posters on this and other threads who are encouraging fans to make this as difficult as possible for him...reach that 14,000 ticket quota, pressure Nashville and surrounding-area corporations to get involved with the franchise, and take stories like the "Balsillie negotiations with Hamilton before officially owning the team," and get them plastered in newspapers like the Tennessean and reported by major media outlets in the area, because civic pride of having something ripped away from the area by an outsider can draw the casual fan into the fight, as well as the hardcore Preds backer.
I'm a Leafs fan who is rooting for the Preds to stay. I really feel terrible for you guys. I've watched your playoff games and your atmosphere is amazing, I honestly believe the city, team, and fans are creating something special which needs more time to be completely self-sustaining and successful. I hope the city of Nashville responds in kind and goes out in droves to see the Preds play next season. I hope you are not robbed of NHL hockey. Good luck to you!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about the Nashville
Predators. At this point in time, the Predators have an existing, long-term lease,
and the Club is obligated to honor the terms of that lease. We expect the
Club and the City of Nashville will continue to be focussed on doing
everything within its power to make this team successful in Nashville.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about the Nashville
Predators. At this point in time, the Predators have an existing, long-term lease,
and the Club is obligated to honor the terms of that lease. We expect the
Club and the City of Nashville will continue to be focussed on doing
everything within its power to make this team successful in Nashville.
The National Hockey League
long term is more or less seven years. that's the prevailing fear...that balsillie will play this like, "okay, so..i'll wait." and at the end of seven years, no matter how things are going, he's going to do what he wants to do.
