By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer
Article Launched: 05/28/2007 04:48:19 PM PDT
ANAHEIM, Calif.- NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Monday that even if the sale of the Nashville Predators goes through, the franchise "is not going anywhere."
Craig Leipold has signed a letter of intent to sell the Predators to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie for $220 million after losing $70 million in 10 years of ownership.
The terms of the sale, which must be approved by three-fourths of the NHL's board of governors, call for the deal to be completed by June 30.
To Believe or not to Believe, that is the question
Just a couple of notes here.
current facts:
1) Jim Bassille signs letter of intent to buy the Predators.
2) Bettman says that the Preds "are not moving"
3) Bettman says Bassille doesn't want to move the Preds.
Previous facts:
1) Jim Bassille signed a letter of intent to but the Penguins.
2) Bettman says that the Penguins "are not moving"
3) Bettman says Bassille doesn't want to move the Penguins.
4) Bettman puts as terms of the sale that Bassille can not move the penguins.
5) Bassille withdraws his request to buy the penguins and is never again seen in Pittsburgh.
hummmmmmmmmmmmm
__________________ Penguins Fan living in Sabreland
Ok so I was talking to a guy from Nashville on an online poker sight yesterday and I asked him how he felt about the fact that the Predators might be leaving. "I couldn't care less" he says "I'm more of an NFL, MLB guy." I had to have a bit of a laugh at that one, sure it's only one case but I think there are a lot more like him in Nashville...
*Reads story about Balsillie making negotiations with Hamilton about moving the team there*
Clearly, Bettman doesn't know what he's talking about.
__________________ "It's not the way it's going to be. We have to be very, very patient and build this the right way. We have to go through a process. It may be painful. I hope it isn't. But we're prepared for all the bumps and pratfalls and potholes in the road ahead. I'm prepared for it anyway, or I wouldn't have come." - Ron Wilson, Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
current facts:
1) Jim Bassille signs letter of intent to buy the Predators.
2) Bettman says that the Preds "are not moving"
3) Bettman says Bassille doesn't want to move the Preds.
Previous facts:
1) Jim Bassille signed a letter of intent to but the Penguins.
2) Bettman says that the Penguins "are not moving"
3) Bettman says Bassille doesn't want to move the Penguins.
4) Bettman puts as terms of the sale that Bassille can not move the penguins.
5) Bassille withdraws his request to buy the penguins and is never again seen in Pittsburgh.
hummmmmmmmmmmmm
More current facts:
Jim is willing to pay about $40 million more for the Preds than he was for the Pens? Why is that?
The opt out clause in the arena's lease. Also because when it comes time to ask the owners to relocate or even if he has to let that be known before they vote to let him in, Jim will have made them all a lot richer.
Not only would a team in Canada make the league richer in general (last season all six teams paid INTO the revenue sharing program) but now that the Preds are being bought for $220 million, the guy in Phoenix or Florida or Atlanta or where ever can expect a similar sum.
I heard somewere that Balsille is paying almost 80-100 million more for the franchise than its actually worth. People are saying the franchise is worth no more than 140 million. He obviously wouldent buy this team for that much if he didnt plan on moving it, and lets be serious any Canadian in the right mind wouldent think the city of Nashville to be a hockey city.
I think I heard he paid something like 223 million for it. Now I also heard that they won't move this year but if there attendance average is below 14,000 that he can move the team and i heard some rumored cities.
I think I heard he paid something like 223 million for it. Now I also heard that they won't move this year but if there attendance average is below 14,000 that he can move the team and i heard some rumored cities.
Hamilton
Winnipeg
Kitchner - Waterloo
Kansas City
Take Kansas City off there. It may be rumoured to go there but theres no way In hell a Canadian billionaire is going to want to put at team in Tornado Alley, they wont be able to sell tickets and will most likely have the same problems as Nashville did
Jim is willing to pay about $40 million more for the Preds than he was for the Pens? Why is that?
The opt out clause in the arena's lease. Also because when it comes time to ask the owners to relocate or even if he has to let that be known before they vote to let him in, Jim will have made them all a lot richer.
Not only would a team in Canada make the league richer in general (last season all six teams paid INTO the revenue sharing program) but now that the Preds are being bought for $220 million, the guy in Phoenix or Florida or Atlanta or where ever can expect a similar sum.
Basille is learning from his past adventure with the 'guins. Yep every owner gets richer the day this goes through. Why else would he pay that much more for a team that has less future talent upside. He could get real slimy here and buy the team, not resign a couple of his key free agents and see the team struggle thus fulfilling the attendance get away clause for the city. He has NOOOOOO intention of keeping the team in Nashville long term, and has alot of money to spend on it.
__________________ Penguins Fan living in Sabreland
Nashville will stay put for 2 seasons. That's how long it will take to build the new arena in K/W, actually Cambridge, Ontario. They may move-in for 2009-10.
Bettman: Predators staying in Nashville
Bettman: Predators staying in Nashville
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