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troutman · 04-21-2011, 08:58 AM

Bettman a slick stickhandler
Won't admit it, but hints NHL is talking with True North Goldwater, Glendale to meet

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/spo...120343199.html

Gary BETTMAN, in a non-denial denial, all but confirmed Wednesday he is in discussions with True North Sports and Entertainment regarding the possible relocation of the Phoenix Coyotes to Winnipeg.

"Whether or not we have a deadline or the Coyotes are staying or going, that's pure speculation by anyone right now, including me," he said. "I've never gotten into discussions about what we're doing.

"When I have something definitive to announce, I'll announce it. And part of this is, I don't want anybody's expectations getting raised. It's not really fair and I don't want people's expectations to be deflated in one place and raised in another when it may be completely wrong in both places."

The commissioner was asked why the league was working so hard to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix when on the surface it appears no owner is willing to pay for the team with his own money.

"We do everything possible to protect our fans against moving franchises and disconnecting them from the franchises they root for," said Bettman, at which point he was pressed by TSN's James Cybulski, who wanted to know where that conviction was 15 years when the Jets left Winnipeg.

"I'm glad you asked that. We did everything possible in Winnipeg, and there was no prospect of a new building and nobody wanted to own the team there anymore, and that's the only reason the club moved. We didn't decide we wanted to leave Winnipeg, Winnipeg at the time chased us away because nobody wanted to own the team there," said Bettman. "And in fact I believe either the province or the city was partially funding the club and they didn't want to do that anymore."

Cybulski wanted to know why, if the league couldn't find a taker for its $170 million asking price in Phoenix, it wouldn't just take the money and run to Winnipeg.

"We had the deal done, as I said, and then part of the financing of the deal didn't come through because the Goldwater Institute threatened the bonds," said Bettman. "It's a peculiar question that you're asking because when there were people trying to buy Edmonton and move it, and it was clear that they were losing lots of money 10-12 years ago, and the building was empty. We didn't let that happen. We managed to spend the time necessary to put together the group and save that franchise. It's not about who has money to buy a club and take it where they want. It's about the covenant we have with our fans everywhere that, unless we have no choice, we don't run out on you."

04-21-2011, 08:58 AM	#1366
troutman Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Crowsnest Pass Exp:	Bettman a slick stickhandler Won't admit it, but hints NHL is talking with True North Goldwater, Glendale to meet http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/spo...120343199.html Gary BETTMAN, in a non-denial denial, all but confirmed Wednesday he is in discussions with True North Sports and Entertainment regarding the possible relocation of the Phoenix Coyotes to Winnipeg. "Whether or not we have a deadline or the Coyotes are staying or going, that's pure speculation by anyone right now, including me," he said. "I've never gotten into discussions about what we're doing. "When I have something definitive to announce, I'll announce it. And part of this is, I don't want anybody's expectations getting raised. It's not really fair and I don't want people's expectations to be deflated in one place and raised in another when it may be completely wrong in both places." The commissioner was asked why the league was working so hard to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix when on the surface it appears no owner is willing to pay for the team with his own money. "We do everything possible to protect our fans against moving franchises and disconnecting them from the franchises they root for," said Bettman, at which point he was pressed by TSN's James Cybulski, who wanted to know where that conviction was 15 years when the Jets left Winnipeg. "I'm glad you asked that. We did everything possible in Winnipeg, and there was no prospect of a new building and nobody wanted to own the team there anymore, and that's the only reason the club moved. We didn't decide we wanted to leave Winnipeg, Winnipeg at the time chased us away because nobody wanted to own the team there," said Bettman. "And in fact I believe either the province or the city was partially funding the club and they didn't want to do that anymore." Cybulski wanted to know why, if the league couldn't find a taker for its $170 million asking price in Phoenix, it wouldn't just take the money and run to Winnipeg. "We had the deal done, as I said, and then part of the financing of the deal didn't come through because the Goldwater Institute threatened the bonds," said Bettman. "It's a peculiar question that you're asking because when there were people trying to buy Edmonton and move it, and it was clear that they were losing lots of money 10-12 years ago, and the building was empty. We didn't let that happen. We managed to spend the time necessary to put together the group and save that franchise. It's not about who has money to buy a club and take it where they want. It's about the covenant we have with our fans everywhere that, unless we have no choice, we don't run out on you."