[Berklon]

Does anybody else think that getting into a pissing match with Toronto is a bad idea?

Surely it would be better to have Leafs and Argo's fans on our side. Childish tantrums on Hamilton's part would surely hurt more than help.

I don't know why Leaf fans would be upset about a team in Hamilton. What do they lose by it? If anything, it MAY help their team improve because of the competition and also gives them a chance to watch some NHL hockey without the huge travel. Every Leaf fan I've talked to likes the idea of a team in Hamilton.

[FairHamilton]

Does anybody else think that getting into a pissing match with Toronto is a bad idea?

Surely it would be better to have Leafs and Argo's fans on our side. Childish tantrums on Hamilton's part would surely hurt more than help.

I think sometimes it's just best to carry on with your stated goal, and not worry about the 'other guy'. Unfortunately, Merulla has a compassion to see his name in the paper, and his constituents eat up that type of hyperbole.

[markk]

I agree that Toronto bashing will not help Hamilton's cause. And while I'm extremely disappointed that TO continues to oppose our bid, the idea of boycotting 'everything Toronto' seems counterproductive.

Its too bad the MLSE doesn't recognize the potential to improve their brand and intensify rivalries by adding a team in Hamilton.

I'm no soccer expert, but the elite leagues in Europe appear to be thriving while having teams within tight geographical spaces.

[FairHamilton]

Let's make sure we recognize that Leaf fans would for the most part welcome a tight rivarly only a 50 minute drive down the road.

It's the MLSE, that would oppose the business competition. It's MLSE habit to put mediocre hockey teams on the ice (67 was the last Cup), and still being able to be a money machine (richest in the NHL). If a team in Hamilton were to become more successful then Toronto might, just might, have to invest in building a better team, and that might cut into their profits.

Going off on a tangent, if a team comes to Hamilton then I'm seriously going to look at buying Season Tickets. It's my worry that a large portion of season tickets (most ticket purchases will be season tickets) will be purchased by people outside of Hamilton (i.e. Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, even K-W) and then we'll have a hockey team in Hamilton that Hamiltonians can only watch on TV....... Mark my words on that one.

[SteelTown]

Judge has entered the courthouse.

Judge delays decision on Phoenix Coyotes

Jun 09, 2009 11:40 AM
http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/647795

PHOENIX -There will be no decision today from a judge at a bankruptcy court hearing on the sale and possible relocation of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is hand for today's sesssion. The NHL commissioner is expected to fly to Pittsburgh right after the hearing.

[SteelTown]

NHL lawyer Tony Clark introducing Gary Bettman. "Isn't he supposed to be in Detroit?" said the judge "Pittsburgh" said Clark

[SteelTown]

Moyes lawyer Tom Salerno attacking NHL position it needs time to move the team, calling it a "pocket veto"

[SteelTown]

Judge: This is the first time somebody has tried to move a hockey team from this country to Canada, and that raises some unique questions"

[SteelTown]

12:29 - Salerno (moyes lawyer) took some hits. Judge not impressed with his answers on relocation. Judge cites contract team must play in Glendale

12-30 - Judge moves on to antitrust. New lawyer for moyes up (Brandon). "Bring in the lefty," says judge

[SteelTown]

12:39 - Moyes lawyer losing anti trust fight. Going back to the righthander

12-:39 - Judge cites precedent: mere existence of franchise relocation rules in constitution does not violate antitrust laws.

[SteelTown]

12:55 - Developing; judge considering ordering mediation so two sides can agree on "indemnity fee" for leafs and NHL for balsillie taking Hamilton

[SteelTown]

1:17 - NHL board of governors met Monday to discuss Balsillie's application to become an owner and move the team.

[SteelTown]

1:24 - Judge hard on NHL's 4 other bidders. "This old judge isn't all that excited about expressions of interest."

[oldcoote]

The NHL's lawyers are scrambling.

One of them just questioned the health of the NFL for allowing the Baltimore Colts to move to Indy. :haha:

[SteelTown]

2:03 - Judge to other leagues on relocation: "the midnight departure from baltimore did not ruin the NFL. The NFL is fine, everybody's making money

[FairHamilton]

The NHL's lawyers are scrambling.

One of them just questioned the health of the NFL for allowing the Baltimore Colts to move to Indy. :haha:

Questioning the health of the NFL shows just how much they are living in a bubble.

[SteelTown]

They've been going at it over a relocation fee for hours now.

[SteelTown]

But anyways it sounds like 09-10 season will stay at Phoenix, while JB and NHl work out a deal to relocate the team to Hamilton. That's my prediction.

[SteelTown]

Seven more lawyers in the line up that wants to speak to the Judge. This could go on for a few more hours. Bettman needs to leave at 4pm to Pittsburgh.

[oldcoote]

But anyways it sounds like 09-10 season will stay at Phoenix, while JB and NHl work out a deal to relocate the team to Hamilton. That's my prediction.

It does sound like this is the case.

Wouldn't this be considered an all-out failure for Bettman?

[FairHamilton]

It does sound like this is the case.

Wouldn't this be considered an all-out failure for Bettman?

He could spin it as a victory. He could position his entire goal was to ensure a smooth transition to a new city, not a quick move, that would disrupt the league.

With a year to get the move done he could say he was successful with that goal, of minimal disruption.

[SteelTown]

1 hour recess, return 4:40pm, and I believe 4 or 5 more lawyers that wish to speak.

Reporters are off to chase Bettman during recess.

[SteelTown]

NHL wants $100 million for relocation fee. Though the Judge said the NHL has the right for a "reasonable" relocation fee.

But if you notice we're getting to the point that the Phoenix Coyotes will indeed relocate and move to Hamilton. It's just up to determining the relocation fee.

[matt602]

This is getting very interesting. I'm still surprised things have even made it this far.

[FRM]

I'm still extremely cautiously optimistic as this dream can get crushed in a heartbeat.

[SteelTown]

exBH80cfasU

[SteelTown]

Seems like it's finally finishing up at court.

[SteelTown]

Now that it's over for the day what's your assessment?

[Actonite]

Now that it's over for the day what's your assessment?I think all the talk about relocation fees kind of paints a picture of which way the judge may be leaning.
It's not in the bag but I think for the first time the chances are better than 50/50 IMO.

[holymoly]

I think all the talk about relocation fees kind of paints a picture of which way the judge may be leaning.
It's not in the bag but I think for the first time the chances are better than 50/50 IMO.

Yet the relocation fee could be a deal breaker for Balsillie, right?

[matt602]

If it's completely unreasonable.

[Berklon]

We have to remember that the relocation fee is one thing, and the territorial fee is another. The both combined will probably wind up costing JB at least 200million... and that's on top of the 212m for the franchise. That's a lot of beans.

[Hammer Native]

^^^ Yes it is. Maybe JB should (and maybe has), entertain the idea of bringing in minority shareholders just as Gretzky is in Phoenix. It would probably be a good possibility if this could be one of the most valuable teams in the league. What is Labbatt's and Home Hardware's position in this? Are they just backing the bid or are they possible investors?

[Hammer Native]

Just to show as an example; Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment's ownership structure breaks down like this:

58% --- Ontario Teachers Pension Plan
20.5% --- Kilmer Sports Inc. (owned by Larry Tanenbaum)
14% --- TD Bank Financial Group
7.5% --- CTV Globemedia

Also another possibility; taking the company public (shares on the stock exchange) Something of course JB has background in with his RIM shares on The TSX, which many times have gone through the roof. Maple Leaf Gardens, (which also owned the Tiger Cats) under the Harold Ballard years, had common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

[SteelTown]

Judge looks to set Coyotes relocation fee

June 10, 2009
Steve Milton
The Hamilton Spectator
PHOENIX
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/580680

How much will the NHL charge Jim Balsillie for the right to move the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton?

We should find out within two weeks.

The judge in the Coyotes' bankruptcy case is expected to rule today that the National Hockey League must decide before June 22 what relocation fee--which would include indemnity to the Toronto Maple Leafs for invading their protected territory, and perhaps to the Buffalo Sabres for their broadcast territory -- Balsillie would have to pay to the NHL for the Coyotes to play out of Copps Coliseum.

That fee would be over and above the $212.5 million US Balsillie would pay Coyotes' owner Jerry Moyes for the money-bleeding franchise.

The NHL is opposed to setting a fee now, but Judge Redfield T. Baum intimated yesterday that he might force the league to come up with a figure. He could ask Balsillie and the NHL to mediate the matter, or he could simply order the NHL to determine the fee on its own.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said after court that the relocation fee would be "a big number." He cited the 1982 move of the Colorado Rockies to New Jersey to become the Devils. The Devils had to pay a territorial indemnification to the New York Rangers, and television territory indemnification to the New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Daly wouldn't reveal how much the Devils were charged but said it was "about twice what Mr. (John) McMullen paid for the franchise."

Since the NHL argues in court filings that Balsillie has actually placed the true value of the Coyotes at $165 million, they could peg the relocation fee to Hamilton as high as $330 million.

Balsillie has a clause in his agreement to purchase the Coyotes that if the relocation fee is above zero, he can walk away from the deal. That doesn't mean he would abandon the purchase, just that he has the option to do so.

That's the reason Baum is likely to order the NHL to come up with the relocation fee. If Balsillie packs it in because the fee is too high, then the rest of the "difficult matters" before the court would become moot, Baum said, and he could order an auction sale of the Coyotes on the NHL's preferred timetable of mid-September, not the June 22 date Balsillie and Moyes have asked for. And the team would be sold with the understanding they'd remain in Glendale, Ariz.

Susan Freeman, the bankruptcy lawyer who represents Balsillie, had argued that by the NHL's own constitution the only indemnification fees the Toronto Maple Leafs are entitled to are those expended on generating goodwill in the Hamilton market.

Freeman argued that, historically, the Leafs have tried to prevent a team from coming to Hamilton so, effectively, they haven't tried to develop goodwill in that market place.

But Freeman ran into a brick wall on that attempt.

Baum strongly indicated that -- based on a ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court regarding the Oakland Raiders -- he would side with the NHL on its argument that the Hamilton market "is a league opportunity."

He added: "As I sit here right now, as long as (the NHL) does it reasonably and not out of spite to Mr. Balsillie, I'm not so sure they don't have the right (to charge for a new team in Hamilton).

"It seems to me that the Ninth Court says the NHL owns the Hamilton opportunity and that 'if you want to force yourself upon us, you're going to have to pay.'"

The NHL does not want to determine a relocation fee so quickly. One reason, Daly said later, is that indemnification is "something that's generally determined by the board of governors in the context of a relocation application. We have a couple of steps before we get to the relocation application."

First, the board must agree to approve Balsillie as an owner, which Freeman argued should be automatic since he had been approved as a buyer of the Pittsburgh Penguins in late 2006.

Freeman herself had inadvertently mentioned earlier in the day the $100-million figure which a filing by the Coyotes and Balsillie anticipated the NHL would seek for relocation fees. Without referring to the exact figure, an NHL lawyer said it was "low."

Richard Rodier, vice-president of PSE (Balsillie's hockey company), wouldn't comment on the indemnification fees after court. Both the Balsillie and Moyes camps argue that, based on an earlier case involving the Raiders than the one the Ninth Circuit ruled on, franchise territorial protection is a breach of U.S. anti-trust law.

Daly said he was gratified that the judge seems to agree with the NHL that the right to territorial protection is "stated law."

He added that Baum is "obviously struggling with the issues. I think he's openly admitted it's an unprecedented case with issues in a lot of different areas of the law that are conflicting and he's got to work that out."

When asked if the league could come up with a relocation fee in time for June 22, Daly said, "No I don't think we are prepared. Obviously we respect the decisions of the court and will work toward what's best for the league."

[SteelTown]

I want to thank you for getting behind the Make It Seven campaign and personally provide you with an update.  Yesterday Judge Redfield Baum asked all sides in a Phoenix bankruptcy court to provide him with information around a possible relocation fee the NHL may charge for the Coyotes franchise to be moved to Hamilton as I have proposed to do.
 
However it works out, the issue of a relocation fee, while a new development, does move us one step closer to bringing the Coyotes to Hamilton. I am fighting for Canadian hockey fans because I know you've been out there fighting for my bid. I appreciate your support. And I want to reassure you we're still moving toward our goal. We're looking forward to instructions from Judge Baum, but you should know as a makeitseven.ca supporter that I am committed to continuing and winning this fight to bring a seventh NHL team to Canada.
 
Our movement continues to build across the country.  We've even got our own song now that we found on YouTube.  Check it out at http://www.makeitseven.ca/index.php?id=watch&vid=1202552.   Today, three new corporate partners are throwing their support behind the campaign.  Prime Restaurants, DeWalt Tools, and FirstOntario Credit Union have joined anchor partners Labatt and Home Hardware on the Make It Seven campaign.
 
These new partners and the people signing up daily on the website are adding some tremendous new bench strength to the Make It Seven team.  It's incredible to think that over 155,000 fans have joined the campaign by signing up to the website at www.makeitseven.ca.
 
We want to keep the momentum going and give Canadians an opportunity to demonstrate their desire for a seventh team, so I am excited to announce that we have chosen June 19th as Make It Seven Day in Canada.  This will be a day for Canadians to show their support in a variety of ways.  Our corporate partners will be celebrating Make It Seven Day with us and you will be hearing more about that in the days to come.
 
Please tell more of your friends to sign up www.makeitseven.ca, watch for our partners' Make It Seven Day promotions, start to plan your own Make It Seven Day activities and stay tuned for updates on our progress.
 
Thanks.  Let's Make it Seven!
 
Jim

[SteelTown]

Looks like the June 19th rally just got more ineresting.

[SteelTown]

Balsillie ready to talk cash with NHL
Relocation fee appears to be on the table

June 10, 2009
Steve Milton
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/580680

Jim Balsillie appears ready to negotiate a possible NHL relocation fee with the NHL.

Balsillie spokesman Bill Walker said his client isn’t prepared to say what he would be willing to pay, suggesting the figure would be subject to negotiations between the league and Balsillie.

An Arizona bankruptcy court judge has asked the NHL and Balsillie to work on coming up with an acceptable relocation fee.

We should find out within two weeks.

Meanwhile Balsillie has announced that June 19 has been declared MakeitSeven Day in Canada.

The judge in the Coyotes' bankruptcy case is expected to rule today that the National Hockey League must decide before June 22 what relocation fee--which would include indemnity to the Toronto Maple Leafs for invading their protected territory, and perhaps to the Buffalo Sabres for their broadcast territory -- Balsillie would have to pay to the NHL for the Coyotes to play out of Copps Coliseum.

That fee would be over and above the $212.5 million US Balsillie would pay Coyotes' owner Jerry Moyes for the money-bleeding franchise.

The NHL is opposed to setting a fee now, but Judge Redfield T. Baum intimated Tuesdaythat he might force the league to come up with a figure. He could ask Balsillie and the NHL to mediate the matter, or he could simply order the NHL to determine the fee on its own.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said after court that the relocation fee would be "a big number." He cited the 1982 move of the Colorado Rockies to New Jersey to become the Devils. The Devils had to pay a territorial indemnification to the New York Rangers, and television territory indemnification to the New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Daly wouldn't reveal how much the Devils were charged but said it was "about twice what Mr. (John) McMullen paid for the franchise."

Since the NHL argues in court filings that Balsillie has actually placed the true value of the Coyotes at $165 million, they could peg the relocation fee to Hamilton as high as $330 million.

Balsillie has a clause in his agreement to purchase the Coyotes that if the relocation fee is above zero, he can walk away from the deal. That doesn't mean he would abandon the purchase, just that he has the option to do so.

That's the reason Baum is likely to order the NHL to come up with the relocation fee. If Balsillie packs it in because the fee is too high, then the rest of the "difficult matters" before the court would become moot, Baum said, and he could order an auction sale of the Coyotes on the NHL's preferred timetable of mid-September, not the June 22 date Balsillie and Moyes have asked for. And the team would be sold with the understanding they'd remain in Glendale, Ariz.

Susan Freeman, the bankruptcy lawyer who represents Balsillie, had argued that by the NHL's own constitution the only indemnification fees the Toronto Maple Leafs are entitled to are those expended on generating goodwill in the Hamilton market.

Freeman argued that, historically, the Leafs have tried to prevent a team from coming to Hamilton so, effectively, they haven't tried to develop goodwill in that market place.

But Freeman ran into a brick wall on that attempt.

Baum strongly indicated that -- based on a ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court regarding the Oakland Raiders -- he would side with the NHL on its argument that the Hamilton market "is a league opportunity."

He added: "As I sit here right now, as long as (the NHL) does it reasonably and not out of spite to Mr. Balsillie, I'm not so sure they don't have the right (to charge for a new team in Hamilton).

"It seems to me that the Ninth Court says the NHL owns the Hamilton opportunity and that 'if you want to force yourself upon us, you're going to have to pay.'"

The NHL does not want to determine a relocation fee so quickly. One reason, Daly said later, is that indemnification is "something that's generally determined by the board of governors in the context of a relocation application. We have a couple of steps before we get to the relocation application."

First, the board must agree to approve Balsillie as an owner, which Freeman argued should be automatic since he had been approved as a buyer of the Pittsburgh Penguins in late 2006.

Freeman herself had inadvertently mentioned earlier in the day the $100-million figure which a filing by the Coyotes and Balsillie anticipated the NHL would seek for relocation fees. Without referring to the exact figure, an NHL lawyer said it was "low."

Rich Rodier, vice-president of PSE (Balsillie's hockey company), wouldn't comment on the indemnification fees after court. Both the Balsillie and Moyes camps argue that, based on an earlier case involving the Raiders than the one the Ninth Circuit ruled on, franchise territorial protection is a breach of U.S. anti-trust law.

Daly said he was gratified that the judge seems to agree with the NHL that the right to territorial protection is "stated law."

He added that Baum is "obviously struggling with the issues. I think he's openly admitted it's an unprecedented case with issues in a lot of different areas of the law that are conflicting and he's got to work that out."

When asked if the league could come up with a relocation fee in time for June 22, Daly said, "No I don't think we are prepared. Obviously we respect the decisions of the court and will work toward what's best for the league."

[SteelTown]

"Make It Seven" Day Slated for June 19th as Three New Corporate Partners Rally to the Cause

Prime Restaurants, DeWalt Tools, and First Ontario Credit Union Add support for New NHL Team

TORONTO, June 10 /CNW/ - Three new corporate partners are throwing their support behind the campaign to bring a new NHL team to southern Ontario, as plans for designating June 19th Make It Seven Day across Canada were announced today.

Prime Restaurants, DeWalt Tools, and FirstOntario Credit Union have joined anchor partners Labatt Blue and Home Hardware in the Make It Seven bid for a new hockey team, led by Jim Balsillie. In addition to the corporate support, over 155,000 people have also joined the campaign by signing up to the website at www.makeitseven.ca.

"Just as any team needs to have top talent on the ice, strong partners are also key to the success of a franchise," said Balsillie. "These new partners and the people signing up daily on the website are adding some tremendous new bench strength to the Make It Seven team."

Corporate partners, and fans alike, are being encouraged to mark Friday, June 19th as a day to rally support for the cause. For instance, starting on the 19th, all guests who order a Labatt Blue at a participating Prime Restaurants location will receive a colourful Make It Seven bumper sticker.

Participating Prime Restaurant brands include Casey's Grill (*) Bar, East Side Mario's, Fionn MacCool's, Darcy McGee's, Paddy Flaherty's and Tir Nan Og.

"At Prime Restaurants our passion for great food is only rivaled by our passion for hockey," said Nick Perpick, President and COO of Prime Restaurants of Canada. "Through this Make It Seven promotion we're excited to unite our local communities and guests in rallying support for adding more of Canada to our great Canadian pastime."

DeWalt Tools will further mobilize support through special advertising and promotional initiatives linked to the Make It Seven campaign.

"Our slogan is 'Guaranteed Tough,' so in that spirit we are pleased to help add some additional muscle to the 'Make It Seven' bid," said Dave Howe, President of DeWalt.

FirstOntario Credit Union, already a supporter of the Hamilton Bulldogs American Hockey League club, and the Niagara Ice Dogs Major Junior club will spread the Make It Seven word through promotional and advertising initiatives out of their corporate head office in Hamilton and also through their 17 branches in and around Hamilton, Niagara, Halton and Southwest Ontario.

"We have a proud history of support for hockey in Hamilton, so we wouldn't miss the chance to a part of this exciting new chapter," said FirstOntario's vice-president of Sales & Marketing, David Schurman.

[drpgq]

This is likely good news. I was afraid Balsillie would walk. Didn't he offer to
pay something like $238 million for Nashville? He's shown he's willing to pay
more, I'm just not sure if he's willing to do $100 million or $150 million or more.

I could see a scenario with $50 million to the Leafs, $50 million to Golisano
(who wants to sell anyways and probably won't mind just pocketing the
cash and then putting them up for sale), and $75 million to the rest of the
league. The rest of the teams benefit by not continuing to pour more league
money down the Phoenix suckhole.

And isn't there a conflict of interest with the NHL being the senior secured
creditor for the ongoing funding of the team? As long as Phoenix gets
auctioned off for a mediocre value, the NHL gets repaid, so they don't care
how long the process takes. The other lesser creditors get screwed as more
and more money gets lost.

Balsillie ready to talk cash with NHL
Relocation fee appears to be on the table

June 10, 2009
Steve Milton
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/580680

Jim Balsillie appears ready to negotiate a possible NHL relocation fee with the NHL.

Balsillie spokesman Bill Walker said his client isn’t prepared to say what he would be willing to pay, suggesting the figure would be subject to negotiations between the league and Balsillie.

An Arizona bankruptcy court judge has asked the NHL and Balsillie to work on coming up with an acceptable relocation fee.

We should find out within two weeks.

Meanwhile Balsillie has announced that June 19 has been declared MakeitSeven Day in Canada.

The judge in the Coyotes' bankruptcy case is expected to rule today that the National Hockey League must decide before June 22 what relocation fee--which would include indemnity to the Toronto Maple Leafs for invading their protected territory, and perhaps to the Buffalo Sabres for their broadcast territory -- Balsillie would have to pay to the NHL for the Coyotes to play out of Copps Coliseum.

That fee would be over and above the $212.5 million US Balsillie would pay Coyotes' owner Jerry Moyes for the money-bleeding franchise.

The NHL is opposed to setting a fee now, but Judge Redfield T. Baum intimated Tuesdaythat he might force the league to come up with a figure. He could ask Balsillie and the NHL to mediate the matter, or he could simply order the NHL to determine the fee on its own.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said after court that the relocation fee would be "a big number." He cited the 1982 move of the Colorado Rockies to New Jersey to become the Devils. The Devils had to pay a territorial indemnification to the New York Rangers, and television territory indemnification to the New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Daly wouldn't reveal how much the Devils were charged but said it was "about twice what Mr. (John) McMullen paid for the franchise."

Since the NHL argues in court filings that Balsillie has actually placed the true value of the Coyotes at $165 million, they could peg the relocation fee to Hamilton as high as $330 million.

Balsillie has a clause in his agreement to purchase the Coyotes that if the relocation fee is above zero, he can walk away from the deal. That doesn't mean he would abandon the purchase, just that he has the option to do so.

That's the reason Baum is likely to order the NHL to come up with the relocation fee. If Balsillie packs it in because the fee is too high, then the rest of the "difficult matters" before the court would become moot, Baum said, and he could order an auction sale of the Coyotes on the NHL's preferred timetable of mid-September, not the June 22 date Balsillie and Moyes have asked for. And the team would be sold with the understanding they'd remain in Glendale, Ariz.

Susan Freeman, the bankruptcy lawyer who represents Balsillie, had argued that by the NHL's own constitution the only indemnification fees the Toronto Maple Leafs are entitled to are those expended on generating goodwill in the Hamilton market.

Freeman argued that, historically, the Leafs have tried to prevent a team from coming to Hamilton so, effectively, they haven't tried to develop goodwill in that market place.

But Freeman ran into a brick wall on that attempt.

Baum strongly indicated that -- based on a ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court regarding the Oakland Raiders -- he would side with the NHL on its argument that the Hamilton market "is a league opportunity."

He added: "As I sit here right now, as long as (the NHL) does it reasonably and not out of spite to Mr. Balsillie, I'm not so sure they don't have the right (to charge for a new team in Hamilton).

"It seems to me that the Ninth Court says the NHL owns the Hamilton opportunity and that 'if you want to force yourself upon us, you're going to have to pay.'"

The NHL does not want to determine a relocation fee so quickly. One reason, Daly said later, is that indemnification is "something that's generally determined by the board of governors in the context of a relocation application. We have a couple of steps before we get to the relocation application."

First, the board must agree to approve Balsillie as an owner, which Freeman argued should be automatic since he had been approved as a buyer of the Pittsburgh Penguins in late 2006.

Freeman herself had inadvertently mentioned earlier in the day the $100-million figure which a filing by the Coyotes and Balsillie anticipated the NHL would seek for relocation fees. Without referring to the exact figure, an NHL lawyer said it was "low."

Rich Rodier, vice-president of PSE (Balsillie's hockey company), wouldn't comment on the indemnification fees after court. Both the Balsillie and Moyes camps argue that, based on an earlier case involving the Raiders than the one the Ninth Circuit ruled on, franchise territorial protection is a breach of U.S. anti-trust law.

Daly said he was gratified that the judge seems to agree with the NHL that the right to territorial protection is "stated law."

He added that Baum is "obviously struggling with the issues. I think he's openly admitted it's an unprecedented case with issues in a lot of different areas of the law that are conflicting and he's got to work that out."

When asked if the league could come up with a relocation fee in time for June 22, Daly said, "No I don't think we are prepared. Obviously we respect the decisions of the court and will work toward what's best for the league."

[thistleclub]

...Corporate partners, and fans alike, are being encouraged to mark Friday, June 19th as a day to rally support for the cause. For instance, starting on the 19th, all guests who order a Labatt Blue at a participating Prime Restaurants location will receive a colourful Make It Seven bumper sticker.

Participating Prime Restaurant brands include Casey's Grill (*) Bar, East Side Mario's, Fionn MacCool's, Darcy McGee's, Paddy Flaherty's and Tir Nan Og.

"At Prime Restaurants our passion for great food is only rivaled by our passion for hockey," said Nick Perpick, President and COO of Prime Restaurants of Canada. "Through this Make It Seven promotion we're excited to unite our local communities and guests in rallying support for adding more of Canada to our great Canadian pastime."


Prime has done well by Hamilton: Slainte kick-started their appetite for those last four Irish-concept pubs. Funny, though, that only six of their brands are taking part -- I guess the Esplanade Bier Markt's a little too close to MLSE HQ? If so, that's a drag, b/c more auspiciously, it's close to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

[mishap]

If Balsillie manages to pull this off, maybe he should follow it up by purchasing CHCH. The Sabres once had their own station. The difference here is that CHCH is available nationwide via satellite. I hear Canwest is willing to sell...

[BCTed]

Prime has done well by Hamilton: Slainte kick-started their appetite for those last four Irish-concept pubs. Funny, though, that only six of their brands are taking part -- I guess the Esplanade Bier Markt's a little too close to MLSE HQ? If so, that's a drag, b/c more auspiciously, it's close to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The release doesn't say that only six brands are taking part.

[LikeHamilton]

Make It Seven fans,

I have had the privilege of playing for seven different NHL teams in my career. The number has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

There are no greater hockey fans than Canadians and like you, I want to see a seventh NHL team in Canada.

Thursday I am in Toronto co-hosting the annual "Dougy, (Jim) Cuddy and Friends Celebrity Bowl" for Special Olympics, a bowling tournament that raises funds to support sport programs for people with intellectual disabilities across the country. Jim Cuddy and I are being joined by 50 celebrities from the sports and music worlds to support this important cause.

Jim Balsillie shares my passion for sport and for Special Olympics. And I share his passion for a seventh NHL team in Canada. So I am asking you to help us.

Please support Special Olympics by visiting https://donations.specialolympics.ca/. And of course, please keep signing up your friends to www.makeitseven.ca so together we can make it seven!

Doug Gilmour


!

[thistleclub]

The release doesn't say that only six brands are taking part.

I made the leap based on their corporate site's identification of Bier Markt as one of their core brands. (To be fair, Pat and Mario's is the other key Prime brand that goes unnamed.) As such, it seemed like an omission from what they describe as an exciting branding opportunity.

What I should have said was that for people who seem to appreciate the power of marketing, they have either missed something incredibly obvious, are choosing to promote only six of their brands, are only putting six men on the ice, are maybe mentally counting the used-to-be-Prime Slainte, or are possibly making a point about marketplace constraints. But I'll allow that it also might be something as innocent as realizing the limited name recognition for outlets that are mainly familiar to people in Sudbury, Mississauga (ie. Pat and Mario's) and Toronto (ie. Bier Markt).

[SteelTown]

Make it Seven Day set for Friday, June 19

June 11, 2009
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/581417

Jim Balsillie has announced June 19 as Make it Seven Day across Canada.

Hamilton's prospective National Hockey League owner is urging corporate sponsors for his bid to bring a seventh NHL team to Canada, specifically Hamilton, to rally on June 19 to support the cause.

Some 155,000 Canadians, including Leafs great Doug Gilmour, have joined the campaign by signing up on Balsillie's website at makeitseven.ca

Hamilton city council also yesterday formally endorsed the day.

Hamilton's own Let's Bring an NHL Team to Hamilton Rally is set for that date as well. There is some speculation Balsillie will attend the Hamilton midday event in front of Copps Coliseum.

An Arizona bankruptcy court has set June 22 as the tentative date for the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes to be sold to the highest bidder. So far, Balsillie, who is waiting word on whether the club can be relocated, has submitted the sole bid, a conditional offer of $212.5 million US.

[SteelTown]

Suppose to get the Judge's ruling today.

[thistleclub]

Hilarious photo caption!

http://www.canada.com/Business/This+thing+raises+questions+about+questions/1685285/story.html

[SteelTown]

Make It Seven: Hockey Greats Sing Hamilton's Praises
dxJUrAqIJ2U

[Hammer Native]

^^^ Great to see that. That's exactly the sort of thing I was hoping for when I mentioned in a post back in November that hopefully high profile people would start speaking up for us.

And that photo of Bettman, he's like a modern day Napoleon.

[drpgq]

^^^

That was pretty cool.

[SteelTown]

Judge to make one ruling on Coyotes

Paul Waldie
Globe and Mail Update, Thursday, Jun. 11, 2009 08:13PM EDT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/judge-to-make-one-ruling-on-coyotes/article1178382/

Judge Redfield T. Baum will not be holding a separate hearing to determine how much of a relocation fee Jim Balsillie must pay to the NHL to move the Phoenix Coyotes.

In a one-sentence notice issued Thursday, Judge Baum said he will make one ruling on all of the issues heard Tuesday.

“The court advised those present that he will not be setting a separate hearing on relocation and fee issue. It will be dealt with in the court's ruling from the [June 9] hearing,” Judge Baum said.

Judge Baum had indicated that he might hold a separate hearing on the relocation fee issue in order for both sides to come to agreement on the amount. Then Balsillie could decide if he was prepared to pay the amount. If not, the judge said there would be no point ruling on the other legal issues.

Thursday's announcement indicates that Judge Baum will decide all of the issues. The judge had also said he could permit the Coyotes to move, on the condition that the relocation fee had been determined.

The judge expressed reluctance Tuesday on holding a lengthy hearing on the relocation fee. Both sides indicated that if they could not agree on a figure they would have to call several witnesses to back up their positions. The judge noted that could take a couple of days. He pointed out that time is running out, given that the club's owners are pushing for an auction to be held on June 22.

The judge's decision will give the NHL time to calculate the fee, estimated at more than $100-million, and the league has said that calculation could take a while.

[Actonite]

Judge Buam has announced that he will rule on both relocation and the relocation fee at the same time. There will be no separate hearing regarding relocation and it would appear the judge is not going to allow the NHL to continue to stall the issue.
He did not indicate how soon he would rule.

I feel the NHL is painted into a corner and all they can do now is get the most money they can out of Balsillie.

[Actonite]

You beat me to it SteelTown.:)
What do you think? Does this mean any thing or not?

[SteelTown]

Hamiltonians rally for NHL franchise next Friday
June 19 rally at Jackson Square

By Kevin Werner/News staff
News
Jun 11, 2009
http://www.ancasternews.com/news/article/178115

Hamilton politicians want the city to be the centre of the hockey universe June 19.

Councillors are encouraging residents to “flood” the city’s downtown area in a rally to bring NHL hockey to Hamilton at Jackson Square starting at noon.

“We want to set a high water mark,” said Ward 8 (west Mountain) councillor Terry Whitehead. “Hamilton is where everybody will be looking at.”

The rally will be part of Research In Motion co-CEO Jim Balsillie’s call for Canadians across the country to hold Make It Seven hockey rallies on June 19. In a statement through the www.makeitseven.ca website, Mr. Balsillie said Canadians should show their support for a seventh NHL team in the country.

“It is at a very interesting junction,” said Coun. Whitehead. “There is a pent-up crisis developing in the community. We want to take all this emotion and show our support.”

He said the noon to 1:30 p.m. rally on Friday is an appropriate time because it allows children from schools to get involved, and it catches business people on their lunch breaks and encourages them to join in.

“We have a built-in crowd,” said Coun. Whitehead.

A bankruptcy court is determining whether Mr. Balsillie can relocate the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton over the objections of the NHL, and the city of Glendale.

Businessman Chris Ecklund, who has been beating the drum for an NHL franchise for Hamilton through his own website, said Hamiltonians need to party “like its 1972 all over again.

“We need to recreate that feeling,” he said.

Mr. Ecklund is referring to the 1972 hockey summit showdown between Team Canada and the former Soviet Union, when Paul Henderson scored the winning goal to give the Canadians a series victory, and seemingly all Canadians were glued to their television sets or radios listening to the sports drama.

“I want to flood the downtown with people,” he said.

Hamilton mountain resident Michelle Febers, through her Facebook page, has also been involved in organizing a rally to show support for an NHL team in Hamilton.

Not only did councillors this week proclaim Make It Seven Day, which Hamilton councils do not approve because of the political repercussions, they also agreed to establish a $20,000 contingency fund to cover any costs associated with the rally.

Hamiltonians travelling to the rally will ride for free on the HSR from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The city’s HSR will absorb the cost of the transit rides.

People are also encouraged to drop off a donation to the food banks when attending the rally.

“The food banks’ shelves are getting real low now,” said Flamborough councillor Robert Pasuta.

[matt602]

Cool, I like that little ditty by the HSR. Good on them.

[SteelTown]

Now that HSR is free I might be able to leave work for Lunch and join the rally.

[Actonite]

I'll be coming from Kitchener.
Go Hamilton Go!!:tup:

[drpgq]

Sam Merulla is an idiot. Why not at least wait to see what happens first?

Hamilton councillor threatens Sabres boycott

Sean Fitz-Gerald, National Post Published: Thursday, June 11, 2009

A Hamilton city councillor is threatening to place the Buffalo Sabres on a list of boycotted teams that already includes the Toronto Maple Leafs, alleging both franchises have been "victimizing" his city by working behind the scenes to keep the National Hockey League from moving into Copps Coliseum.

Sam Merulla, who represents Ward 4 in the city's east end, is calling for constituents to stop buying tickets, jerseys and other merchandise. The protest, he said, would ensure the teams lose the market share they fear they will lose if the Phoenix Coyotes moved north.

"For the last 30 years, Hamilton's been very active in trying to obtain an NHL team," Merulla said Thursday. "In 1990, the last time we were even remotely close to obtaining a team, we always were very suspicious that Buffalo and Toronto played a significant role - behind closed doors - in preventing us from getting a team."

In a news release distributed Wednesday, he called on the Sabres to offer public support in Hamilton's quest for a team. Their continued silence would confirm their participation in a plot to deny what Hamilton so desperately craves, he suggested, meaning they would land on a banned list with the Leafs.

"Although I've been a lifelong fan of the Maple Leafs, now it's become personal," Merulla said. "Now, they're actually, I think, in a position where they're victimizing the city - not only from a morale standpoint, but also financially. It means a great deal to us to have an NHL team."

Hamilton has been scratching at the NHL's front door almost since the Tigers withdrew from the league 84 years ago. City council voted unanimously last month to approve Jim Balsillie for a lease option at Copps Coliseum, with hopes the Canadian billionaire wins control of the Coyotes in an Arizona bankruptcy court.

Balsillie offered US$212.5-million to buy the team, after owner Jerry Moyes filed it for Chapter 11, on the condition he relocate it to southern Ontario. The NHL objected, and all sides were awaiting further word yesterday from Judge Redfield T. Baum.

"We have a feverish, feverish addiction to hockey in this area," Merulla said. "It's a hotbed. And to not allow it to happen, I think, is not in the best interests of the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres, the Toronto Maple Leafs and, particularly, the city of Hamilton."

Many believe a team in Hamilton would not be in Buffalo's best interest. The Sabres are said to rely on Canadian fans for up to 15% of season ticket sales, and count on the cross-border traffic for up to a quarter of their fan base.

"We do know that the Sabres have very tight margins, and we do rely on the Canadian dollar and those Canadian fans to come up and support the city," Buffalo city councillor Michael P. Kearns said this week. "We have a great rivalry between Toronto and Buffalo. And the thing that scares me a little bit is that Hamilton - which is a beautiful city, I've been there - is only an hour from Toronto. And does that rivalry shift from Buffalo/Toronto to Hamilton/Toronto?"

Merulla said the boycott would not extend beyond hockey, confirming that supporters in Hamilton would still be free to travel to Toronto and Buffalo.

"God bless Sam - anyone who knows Sam knows he speaks from his heart," said Hamilton councillor Terry Whitehead, chair of the city's NHL steering committee. "He firmly believes that, and I wouldn't challenge the fact that there's probably many others who feel the same way. But in the position I'm in right now, I need to rise above that."

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president Richard Peddie declined comment.

Hamilton will host a rally to support the addition of a NHL team on June 19, a rally that was scheduled before Balsillie, through his Web site (makeitseven.ca) proclaimed it "Make It Seven Day" across Canada.

Merulla, who also scorned Toronto Argonauts co-owners Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon for voicing their interest in buying the Coyotes and keeping them in Phoenix, said he is debating how he might dispose of his own Leafs jerseys as part of the boycott.

"I jokingly did say I would torch them," he said. "But who knows? I might just give them away to charity."

A charity based outside the city limits?

"Absolutely."

[drpgq]

NHL team will not solve all of city's issues

Joe O'Connor, National Post Published: Friday, June 12, 2009

Susan Pegg sees it all at the Prince Edward Tavern. Her bar has some rough edges to it, and it is in a part of Hamilton where a lot of folks happen to be a little down on their luck.

But even with a recession buffeting the local economy, they are still pouring pints at the Prince Edward. The bar was in midday hum yesterday when the manager picked up the phone to talk about the possibility of the Phoenix Coyotes moving to town.

"To be honest with you," Pegg said in a weary, smoke-worn voice. "We get everyone in here, from the street hooker to the CEO. It is all walks of life."

And all of them, the hookers, the suits, and the blue collar guys waiting for better times to return, are talking about Hamilton getting an NHL team of its own.

"I hope we have at least a 95% chance," Pegg said. "People here are saying that it is about time we get a team. We are always being turned down for everything in Hamilton, and hopefully, this time, we won't be."

For now, Hamilton's hopes, and the Phoenix Coyotes fate, remain in the hands of United States bankruptcy court judge Redfield T. Baum. If Baum's deliberations tilt in Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie's favour, and the Make it Seven man actually signs a cheque large enough to buy the team, to satisfy the NHL and to mute any protest from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres, the crew at the Prince Edward will have reason to celebrate.

They will have their team. But will it actually belong to them? Will they be able to afford a ticket to a game, or will Hamilton's new franchise be just like that other one, in Toronto, where the closest most come to a Leafs game is watching from their living room couch.

"With the Leafs being sold out all the time, I would imagine it would be just as expensive to go to a game here," Pegg said.

"But I hear a lot of positives in the bar. People say they will go."

The numbers say different. The Balsillie camp wants a team in Hamilton and to help make it fit and financially saleable their Hamilton includes the "surrounding area" for a total population of 1.4-million. About 10% of the residents dwell in Oakville, one of the wealthiest suburbs in Canada, with a median income of $101,675.

Hamilton proper is a city of 500,000, where almost one-fifth of the population survives somewhere beneath the low-income threshold line set by StatsCan. The number of Hamiltonians using food banks, just to get by, is up almost 27% over 2008, 12,000 thousand families draw social assistance while the ranks collecting unemployment insurance have doubled since last year, as the city's manufacturing sector continues to bleed jobs.

"The downtown is in bad shape, as simple as that. You just have to look it," says Don Dawson, a sports economics professor at McMaster University. "I guess there is some hope if a team did come, and a stadium, there would be some sort of an entertainment district built up. That's fine. Just remember: a lot of those jobs are part-time. Basically, there is zero impact. There is no statistically significant effect on income per head, or employment."

It has become a common popular belief, without becoming evident in court filings, that a Hamilton franchise would be a cheaper alternative to the Leafs' $76.15 average ticket price. Just how much cheaper, no one has said, and no one in the Balsillie camp is willing to speculate. Even at $55.81 a ticket (the average price in Calgary) or $48.82 (the average in Ottawa), a pair of seats in Hamilton plus a game program, peanuts and a beer, would still add up to an expensive night. Maybe going to the games, then, is only part of the attraction.

"Will Hamiltonians feel better that they have a team?" Dawson says. "I don't know. I hope so. But that is the intangible, though it certainly doesn't help with economic growth or jobs."
NHL team will not solve all of city's issues

If Coyotes come; Citizens may not be able to afford to go to game

Joe O'Connor, National Post Published: Friday, June 12, 2009

But for now, the crowd at the Prince Edward gets to talk about their hometown finally getting an NHL team. They get to hope, and hope might be the one ticket they can all afford.

joconnor@nationalpost.com

I think one thing people have to remember about Leafs tickets when comparing them against a potential Hamilton team, is that it is virtually impossible to walk up to the ticket window game day and buy a Leaf ticket for the list price. If it were, I would probably go to a few Leaf games a year. Now Hamilton may end up selling out, but I don't think there will be the crazy demand that jacks up the scalper tickets to Leaf games. List price isn't that remarkable and frankly they are not that far off from Ticat tickets.

And finally, what's the median income of the top fifth? It is not like the denizens of Jane and Finch are shelling out for Leaf tickets.

[LikeHamilton]

NHL should reward its most loyal fans with 7th team

Scott Russell 12 June 2009 04:53 for metrocanada.ca vancouver

The slow death of the Phoenix Coyotes in an Arizona courtroom is painful to watch, but it is highly instructive. It’s a bit like a wounded dog begging for mercy from a too-proud master.
What is astounding is not that the NHL is trying to protect its ability to place franchises. Nor is it surprising that the league flinches when a maverick tries to lure a weak member of the herd to greener pastures.

No, what really makes you scratch your head is that in tough economic times, the bosses of pro hockey are deaf to the fans’ voices.

The bottom line in any sport is that loyal and devoted followers are needed in order to flourish. There has to be a fervent commitment to the cause. In hockey’s case, the disciples live in Canada. This is where the game is bred in the bone and where people crave the chance to see an NHL game in real life. In Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe, there are millions of these obsessed fans.

In the southern United States, pro hockey is at best an amusement with a handful of curious onlookers. At worst, the NHL in places like Phoenix is an experiment conducted by mad scientists who think they can sustain ice in the heat of the desert.

It’s unnatural — at times cruel — to the fans of a beloved game.

The NHL did not fight this hard to keep the Jets in Winnipeg. There were few bleeding hearts in the boardrooms when the Quebec Nordiques were allowed to escape to Colorado, thus robbing hockey of its most compelling rivalries.

What is a good fan to think?

All of this pain and angst and a trumped-up court case in order to breathe life into a barely limping bunch of Coyotes.

Maybe the NHL should do what’s fair and what makes good business sense. Perhaps the league might agree that its future is north of the border in Canada where the fans run wild.

It’s time to put the Coyotes out of their misery and end the dog days of hockey for good.

– Scott Russell is the Host of CBC Sports Weekend seen Saturday afternoons. He has covered professional and amateur sports including nine Olympic games and numerous world championships.

[FairHamilton]

Both disappointing articles in so many respects. Changing the image of Hamilton starts at home, so I emailed Professor Dawson the below in response to his quote; "The downtown is in bad shape, as simple as that. You just have to look it," says Don Dawson, a sports economics professor at McMaster University. "I guess there is some hope if a team did come, and a stadium, there would be some sort of an entertainment district built up.

Hello Professor Dawson,

I read your quote in the National Post, "The downtown is in bad shape, as simple as that. You just have to look it," says Don Dawson, a sports economics professor at McMaster University. "I guess there is some hope if a team did come, and a stadium, there would be some sort of an entertainment district built up."

And would like to cordially invite you to the James Street North Art Crawl this evening. This cultural event happens the second Friday of every month, and continues to grow in terms of galleries, artists, attendence, and entertainment fun. I'm sure you'll find the street animated, and entertaining already without a NHL Hockey Team.

While I'll agree that Downtown Hamilton has it's challenges, and some of the challenges are large. I think your quote unneccessarily depicted Downtown Hamilton in a bad light, as Downtown Hamilton also has substance and qualities that unfortunately go largely unnoticed by many in the greater Hamilton population. Unnoticed even after they've been discovered by people outside of Hamilton.

There's a new culture rising already underway in Downtown Hamilton,and I encourage you to get out and experience Downtown Hamilton. Once you look beyond the grit, I'm confident you find a vibrancy you never knew existed.

Sincerely,

Paul Tetley

[highwater]

:tup:

[ryan_mcgreal]

I feel the NHL is painted into a corner and all they can do now is get the most money they can out of Balsillie.

Sadly, I can see them chasing their losses and appealing the judge's ruling, sooner than admit they were in the wrong and lose face against Balsillie's skillfully executed campaign.

[Actonite]

Sadly, I can see them chasing their losses and appealing the judge's ruling, sooner than admit they were in the wrong and lose face against Balsillie's skillfully executed campaign.I think there will be an appeal no matter what the judge rules. IMO he is trying to ramp up the pressure to have the two sides work some thing out.
I think his goal with all this relocation fee talk is to have the NHL think that he is ready to rule in favor of relocation so they better just get the biggest piece of the relocation pie they can.
If he can get the two sides to come to a decision them selves then they have nothing to appeal.
That's easier said then done but for the NHL it may be the best bet. No court decision means that no precedent is set and the fear that any team struggling financially can just move to where ever they want is alleviated. Plus they stand to put a huge chunk of cash in the bank. If they can get 100 mil. that would be equal to the amount it would have cost to buy two expansion teams the last time the league expanded. It would drive the cost to buy and move the Coyotes to over 300 mil. which would effectively push the value of every team in the league up.
There is enough there for the NHL to put a positive spin on this if Balsillie does succeed.

[SteelTown]

Doubt I'll get to the rally. Forgot that they'll be a major event happening at McMaster at the same time, it'll be on the news.

[SteelTown]

Bring the NHL to Hamilton Rally
June 12, 2009

Dear Friends:

It is with great enthusiasm and pride that I invite you to attend the “Bring the NHL to Hamilton Rally” on Friday, June 19, 2009 at 12:00pm on the Jackson Square Rooftop in downtown Hamilton.

There is no doubt that hockey fans in Hamilton and across southern Ontario are now, more than ever, ready for another NHL team in Canada. Jim Balsillie's efforts to achieve that goal continue to move ahead in full force. To help Mr. Balsillie realize this dream, I invite you to join the community celebration being held in conjunction with “Make It Seven Day” across Canada.

Jim Balsillie issued another statement reaffirming his commitment to bring the Coyotes to Hamilton and to let people know that he appreciates the support of the wide fan base in this community and across the country

To assist Mr. Balsillie in achieving his goal to bring the NHL to Hamilton, we can help keep up the momentum by signing up on www.makeitseven.ca and by participating in the Hamilton rally June 19th.

Most importantly, we would like to issue a friendly challenge to the vibrant local business community made up of small, medium and large companies and to our local media outlets. We need your support for the rally and ask that you please consider becoming a sponsor of the “Bring the NHL to Hamilton Rally” and “Make It Seven Day.” For more information on how to become a sponsor, please contact my office at 905-546-2074.

Thank you for your consideration and participation and together, let's Make It Seven!

Fred Eisenberger
Mayor

http://www.mayorfred.ca/photos/17/medium/nhl.jpg

[SteelTown]

Coach Gilmour?
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs082.snc1/4560_103728304048_93988254048_1788698_4142801_n.jpg

[Actonite]

Coach Gilmour?
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs082.snc1/4560_103728304048_93988254048_1788698_4142801_n.jpgI think Dougie's got a little ways to go before he's an NHL coach.
He's certainly attending the school of hard knocks in Kingston. I don't know how many of you follow the OHL but Kingston isn't exactly a stellar example of a good franchise.
They're kind of like the OHL's version of the Phoenix Coyotes.:haha:

It's nice to see Gilmore supporting this. I all ways liked him untill he became a Leaf. Then I had to hate him.
His support for Make It Seven puts him back in my good books and I'm sure that makes him very happy to know.;)

[SteelTown]

Sponsors on the sidelines waiting for 'Team Seven'

Hollie Shaw, Financial Post
Published: Friday, June 12, 2009
http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=1691024

Jim Balsillie has lined up sponsors including Labatt Blue, Home Hardware, DeWalt Tools and Prime Restaurants in support of his bid to bring a seventh National Hockey League team to Canada. Shouldn't more be jumping on the bandwagon?

Some watching from the sidelines have speculated that corporate Canada is wary about getting on the wrong side of the NHL by throwing support behind the Research In Motion Ltd. co-chief executive's US$212.5-million bid to bring the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton.

"Balsillie is in the middle of a very visible public fight with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman," said Robert Levy, president of Toronto marketing firm Brandspark International, who said the businessman was wise to form anchor partnerships with big Canadian brands.

"We keep hearing about the potential impact to the Maple Leafs and to the Buffalo Sabres," he noted. "But what does the consumer think about this fight? Getting the Toronto consumers on board is critical here, and [Mr. Balsillie] has done a much better job at connecting [his message] to what is good for the fans and the consumers. His message is very compelling.

"The NHL is a powerful brand and it is hard to argue that they do not have a say in what should be done with their brand. However, I have heard nothing from the NHL about the fans, and that's the most important piece in winning on the messaging war. What's not a good idea is the public fighting."

It would be tricky, however, for the NHL to use marketing to bash Mr. Balsillie's message to Canadians -- you can't very well have a hockey league looking like it wants to deny enthusiastic Canadian fans another team.

Ken Wong, marketing professor at Queen's University, said it is unlikely sponsors are reluctant to get on board for fear of souring relationships with the Maple Leafs or the NHL. It would be illegal for the NHL to even imply that supporting Mr. Balsillie could affect current sponsorships or business dealings for hockey sponsors, he said. It's more likely that at a time when marketing budgets have been cut to the quick, most sponsors are sitting on the sidelines and waiting for "Team Seven" to actually happen.

"There is no economic incentive given to [prospective sponsors] to support this early," Mr. Wong said. "If [Mr. Balsillie] was giving them some preferred access or a discount, it would be a different story. But as it is now, what's the harm in waiting? I would think that sponsors would be lining up if it were actually announced."

Home Hardware seems to see an advantage in publicly supporting the drive along with its own brand messaging -- it changed the year-old tag line on current television and radio ads to "homeowners helping to get home ice" from "homeowners helping homeowners."

Home Hardware, which has 1,000 stores across the country, saw the sponsorship as a natural fit for the brand, said company spokesman Rob Wallace, and had "no reservations" signing on despite the war of words between Mr. Bettman and Mr. Balsillie.

"We have a very long history of partnerships in hockey at every single level," he said. "We really saw this as a fight for Canadians to try to get more home ice -- for Canada's best players to play in front of hometown fans. We felt this was a natural fit for Home Hardware, which is a wholly owned Canadian chain."

While the NHL seems to be focused on the legal tussle with Mr. Balsillie, the RIM chief has been rallying fan support on MakeitSeven.ca, which encourages fans to sign up to support his efforts. (About 160,000 have so far.) Fans can post their thoughts and pictures on the site. (Among them: a snapshot of a billboard outside retail store Source for Sports in London, Ont., which reads, "If Hamilton gets an NHL team, Toronto will want one too.") A Facebook support page for Make it Seven has attracted more than 23,000 members and a similar Twitter feed has close to 4,000 followers. An Ontario rock band, the GMOs, have written and posted a "Make it Seven" song

and video in support of Mr. Balsillie's efforts on the official Web site and on YouTube.

Mr. Balsillie has marshalled the support of former NHL star Doug Gilmour and Blue Rodeo lead singer Jim Cuddy, and has declared next Friday, June 19, "Make it Seven" day, promising special promotions from the sponsors. It is rumoured another large sponsor will sign on in the next week.

[Berklon]

http://www.mayorfred.ca/photos/17/medium/nhl.jpg

Jackson Square Rooftop?

Shouldn't they be expecting more people than what the rooftop can accomodate? Although it's been a long time since I've been there... what can it hold?

[go_leafs_go02]

where else in the core could you hold it really without snarling traffic?

it certainly has more room and certainly is safer than gore park.

[FairHamilton]

where else in the core could you hold it really without snarling traffic?

it certainly has more room and certainly is safer than gore park.

City Hall Forecourt, no wait. AGH Sculpture Garden, no wait. Jackson Square roof it is.

[emge]

The rooftop's pretty decent-sized - it wraps around the building. Plus spillover to the street will be a good photo op.

[Millstone]

finally a use for the JS rooftop!

[matt602]

finally a use for the JS rooftop!

Exactly what I was thinking. Although tonight it was hopping pretty nice because of the art show thing in the old BMO space. First time I've heard live music up there.

[SteelTown]

There's a stage on the rooftop. Entertainment and speeches will happen during the rally. The City is prepared to shut down traffic in the core if it gets big, won't be bad during lunch hour.

[Berklon]

Well that answers my question... and shuts me up. :D

[Hammer Native]

I hope this gets big enough to snarl traffic, I'd rather see traffic get snarled over this than some of the other reasons we've seen. Maybe we can say to hell with traffic in the downtown for a day. Bring on the people.

[BCTed]

Cringe.

Sam Merulla is an idiot. Why not at least wait to see what happens first?

Hamilton councillor threatens Sabres boycott

Sean Fitz-Gerald, National Post Published: Thursday, June 11, 2009

A Hamilton city councillor is threatening to place the Buffalo Sabres on a list of boycotted teams that already includes the Toronto Maple Leafs, alleging both franchises have been "victimizing" his city by working behind the scenes to keep the National Hockey League from moving into Copps Coliseum.

Sam Merulla, who represents Ward 4 in the city's east end, is calling for constituents to stop buying tickets, jerseys and other merchandise. The protest, he said, would ensure the teams lose the market share they fear they will lose if the Phoenix Coyotes moved north.

"For the last 30 years, Hamilton's been very active in trying to obtain an NHL team," Merulla said Thursday. "In 1990, the last time we were even remotely close to obtaining a team, we always were very suspicious that Buffalo and Toronto played a significant role - behind closed doors - in preventing us from getting a team."

In a news release distributed Wednesday, he called on the Sabres to offer public support in Hamilton's quest for a team. Their continued silence would confirm their participation in a plot to deny what Hamilton so desperately craves, he suggested, meaning they would land on a banned list with the Leafs.

"Although I've been a lifelong fan of the Maple Leafs, now it's become personal," Merulla said. "Now, they're actually, I think, in a position where they're victimizing the city - not only from a morale standpoint, but also financially. It means a great deal to us to have an NHL team."

Hamilton has been scratching at the NHL's front door almost since the Tigers withdrew from the league 84 years ago. City council voted unanimously last month to approve Jim Balsillie for a lease option at Copps Coliseum, with hopes the Canadian billionaire wins control of the Coyotes in an Arizona bankruptcy court.

Balsillie offered US$212.5-million to buy the team, after owner Jerry Moyes filed it for Chapter 11, on the condition he relocate it to southern Ontario. The NHL objected, and all sides were awaiting further word yesterday from Judge Redfield T. Baum.

"We have a feverish, feverish addiction to hockey in this area," Merulla said. "It's a hotbed. And to not allow it to happen, I think, is not in the best interests of the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres, the Toronto Maple Leafs and, particularly, the city of Hamilton."

Many believe a team in Hamilton would not be in Buffalo's best interest. The Sabres are said to rely on Canadian fans for up to 15% of season ticket sales, and count on the cross-border traffic for up to a quarter of their fan base.

"We do know that the Sabres have very tight margins, and we do rely on the Canadian dollar and those Canadian fans to come up and support the city," Buffalo city councillor Michael P. Kearns said this week. "We have a great rivalry between Toronto and Buffalo. And the thing that scares me a little bit is that Hamilton - which is a beautiful city, I've been there - is only an hour from Toronto. And does that rivalry shift from Buffalo/Toronto to Hamilton/Toronto?"

Merulla said the boycott would not extend beyond hockey, confirming that supporters in Hamilton would still be free to travel to Toronto and Buffalo.

"God bless Sam - anyone who knows Sam knows he speaks from his heart," said Hamilton councillor Terry Whitehead, chair of the city's NHL steering committee. "He firmly believes that, and I wouldn't challenge the fact that there's probably many others who feel the same way. But in the position I'm in right now, I need to rise above that."

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president Richard Peddie declined comment.

Hamilton will host a rally to support the addition of a NHL team on June 19, a rally that was scheduled before Balsillie, through his Web site (makeitseven.ca) proclaimed it "Make It Seven Day" across Canada.

Merulla, who also scorned Toronto Argonauts co-owners Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon for voicing their interest in buying the Coyotes and keeping them in Phoenix, said he is debating how he might dispose of his own Leafs jerseys as part of the boycott.

"I jokingly did say I would torch them," he said. "But who knows? I might just give them away to charity."

A charity based outside the city limits?

"Absolutely."

[BCTed]

There's a stage on the rooftop. Entertainment and speeches will happen during the rally. The City is prepared to shut down traffic in the core if it gets big, won't be bad during lunch hour.

I really wonder how big this will be. I am glad that this rally will have actual heft behind it --- the one planned by the Hamilton citizen on her own for a few weeks ago would have been a disaster.

[SteelTown]

Looks like they are going to close down Bay St from York and King for ball hockey on June 19th as well.

What I find interesting is that there appears to be government of Canada logo as a sponsor for the June 19th rally.

[SteelTown]

Ruling on the future of Coyotes expected later today

With the Penguins parading the Stanley Cup around Pittsburgh today, the attention of hockey fans around the world turns to a court room in Phoenix, where a decision on the future of the Coyotes is expected later in the day.

Judge Redfield T. Baum has been deliberating for the majority of the weekend on the details of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy claim filed by former Coyotes' owner Jerry Moyes and Research in Motion CEO Jim Balsillie's attempt to move the team from Phoenix to Hamilton.

While Judge Baum did not tip his hand prior to last Tuesday's hearing, he did discuss the matter of a relocation fee to be paid to the NHL if the Coyotes are moved to Hamilton. 

The NHL's wish all along has been to keep the team in Arizona.  Most recently, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made court filings stating that there were four investor groups who have offered to purchase the team and keep them in Phoenix, including Toronto Argonauts owners Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon. The league's contention was that NHL rules governing ownership and the potential movement of a franchise took precedent over any court decisions.

Judge Baum has examined a number of documents from the NHL, Balsillie, Moyes, and the other major pro leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA). Baum debated the legalities of Moyes being able to sell the Coyotes, who were operating under bankruptcy protection, to Balsillie.

The critical question facing Baum is whether the Coyotes are a portable asset, whether Moyes has the right to sell to Balsillie (knowing that he wanted to relocate the team) and whether the court has the power or inclination to allow a bankruptcy court-ordered sale to supercede the rules and regulations of a professional sports league.

Phoenix represents Balsillie's third attempt to bring a seventh team north of the border.

The Blackberry billionaire has been pursuing an NHL franchise for some time, coming up empty in plans to acquire the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators. Balsillie's $220 million offer for the Predators fell through in 2007 after he started taking season ticket deposits in Hamilton, while his bid to purchase the Penguins in 2006 was withdrawn after receiving notice from the NHL that the league would restrict his control over the team.

His interest in the Coyotes became public on May 5, 2009 when he put in an offer of $212.5 million to owner Jerry Moyes, as well as agreeing to post debtor-in-possession financing of $17 million (U.S.) to enable the team to operate prior to the sale. Once again, Balsillie's offer was contingent on him moving the franchise to Southern Ontario.  Balsillie has also set up a website, makeitseven.ca where thousands of hockey fans have expressed their desire to see a seventh NHL team brought to Canada.

Should Judge Baum award the franchise to Balsillie, it is expected that the NHL would appeal thus putting the Coyotes in limbo for the upcoming season.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=281936

[SteelTown]

Drumrolls, Please!

[markk]

Any guesses on the decision?

[SteelTown]

Yes to relocation. It's all up to the dollar figure, relocation and territory fee.

[oldcoote]

Vince McMahon signs Balsillie v Bettman in a Steel Cage at the next Wrestlemania.

[SteelTown]

Oh yea! Love to see Balsillie throw Bettman onto a patch of barbwires.

[NuclearNerd]

Only TSN is running this story. I can't find any word of a ruling today from the spectator/star, globe and mail, or azcentral. There are only three hours until the court closes in Phoenix today, so I'm going to guess TSN jumped the gun.

[SteelTown]

Well court house is now closed and still no ruling.

[SteelTown]

Bad news!!

Judge rejects sale of Coyotes to Balsillie

Paul Waldie
Globe and Mail Update, Monday, Jun. 15, 2009 08:40PM EDT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/judge-rejects-sale-of-coyotes-to-balsillie/article1183148/

.Jim Balsillie has lost his bid to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.

Judge Redfield T. Baum did not grant a motion that would have allowed the Research In Motion co-CEO to buy the NHL team and move it to Hamilton.

[Waterlooson]

The judge rejected the move of the team to Hamilton!

edit: Man, you're fast! ;)

[Berklon]

Well it's time for a boycott of the Sabres and MLSE.

They had no input on the judges decision, but I'm sure the NHL fighting this as tough as they are is partly due to them.

Time to vote with your wallets. Hit 'em where it hurts.

Buffalo can really get destroyed by this. They need our support to survive yet we cant have our own team? Hang 'em out to dry.

[matt602]

This isn't over by a long shot. I'm not discouraged.

[DHLawrence]

And Bettman probably thinks that he'll never have to worry about Hamilton again.

They say that you're crazy if you do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result...

[SteelTown]

The bankruptcy trial isn't over though.

[SteelTown]

It seems like the headline is misleading.

From the sounds if it the Judge appears to rule that there isn't enough time to get the deal done for 2009-2010 season. Ballsillie can still try to get the team for the 2010-2011 season.

[Actonite]

It seems like the headline is misleading.

From the sounds if it the Judge appears to rule that there isn't enough time to get the deal done for 2009-2010 season. Ballsillie can still try to get the team for the 2010-2011 season.The judge still goes on to point out relocation fees and time as the main issues. At this point there is nothing here that says JB and the NHL wont decide on a huge price tag and the team gets moved after next season.

[SteelTown]

You can read the ruling yourself...

http://multimedia.thestar.com/acrobat/58/ef/9fa676434959a4de525fe6a8a7c3.pdf

[emge]

I'm guessing Bettman secretly hoped it wouldn't go this way. Now there's almost a complete guarantee the NHL will look like an idiot when the team gets moved after a few years and the new owner(s) lose more money.

And even if Hamilton doesn't get a relocated team, we're sure in line for whenever expansion happens next.

It would be great if this means the Coyotes can eventually get relocated, but even if they don't this may still pay off for Hamilton and Balsillie in the end.