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Old 03-06-2011, 10:22 PM   #119
Resolute 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by カナダ人です View Post
Did the NHL/Bettman work this hard to keep the Jets in Winnipeg? All I remember is the "Save the Jets" campaign, but I think that was a fan-based initiative.

Honestly, I don't remember.
Shenkarow made it clear around 1993 or 1994 that he wanted out, and the league spent two years trying to help find a new owner. When a first bid to buy the team in 1994 failed, the team actually nearly moved to Minnesota for 1994-95, but instead stuck around in time for the Spirit of Manitoba bid to attempt, and fail, to land the team. Finally, it was sold to Phoenix interests.

Overall, the league did not work as hard as it did in the 2000s for Pittsburgh, Nashville, Phoenix, etc, and I recall Bettman in the past admitting that as a consequence of the 90s relocations, the league has made retaining existing markets a much greater priority in these cases.

Last edited by Resolute 14; 03-06-2011 at 10:26 PM.
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