nossagog

By Scott Burnside
ESPN.com

Updated: July 13, 2007, 2:22 PM ET
There is something of the tragic-comic hero in Gary Bettman and his manipulation of the sale -- or nonsale, as is currently the case -- of the Nashville Predators.


So determined is Bettman to prove that his vision of the NHL as a great American sporting presence is unassailable, so determined is he that his handiwork shall be his living monument to himself and the sport, that Bettman has painted himself into a tiny, uncomfortable corner.


How he emerges from this corner -- if at all -- will say much about his legacy and, indeed, the look and health of the NHL for years to come.

This is what Bettman had hoped would happen.

After demonizing potential owner and Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie as a cowboy and a renegade, and convincing current Nashville owner Craig Leipold to pull back from considering Balsillie as a potential buyer, Bettman was hoping the Preds would be quickly sold to venture capitalist William "Boots" Del Biaggio III. Assuming fans continue to stay away in Nashville as everyone assumes, Bettman would achieve his goal of seeing the team move to Kansas City, where the Anschutz family, NHL buddies and the owners of the L.A. Kings, already have a nice arena waiting.

FUL STORY

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Penguins Fan living in Sabreland

nossagog

I still don't understand it. In a league that has several struggling franchises, it would seem like a no brainer. Take a struggling team from an area that isn't going to support hockey, and move it to where you know it will. Seems like a no brainer, out goes nashville and in comes hamilton.

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Penguins Fan living in Sabreland

Adsfan

If this Bettman story is true, it may make him look anti-Canadian. Not very smart for an American who is leading a sport that was born in our good neighbor to the north. It also makes the KC deal look like it was "fixed". Any lawyers out there who can comment on potential violations of US or Canadian laws?