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troutman · 04-21-2011, 09:08 AM

BETTMAN BELIEVES COYOTES STILL MAY STAY IN PHOENIX
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=363052

Bettman said that the recent television contract the NHL signed with NBC Sports Group will not be affected if Phoenix - one of the largest US television markets - was erased from the equation.

"If that's the case, then why aren't you in Winnipeg already?" Cybulski asked.
"We do everything possible to protect our fans against moving franchises and disconnecting them with the franchises they root for," Bettman said.

"It's interesting talking about Winnipeg and people being impatient, because people in Winnipeg know it's not fun to lose your franchise. And that's part of the reason we do the things we do, for our fans everywhere, to not move franchises unless you absolutely have no choice," he added.

"It's been well chronicled; there are people interested in owning a franchise in Winnipeg. Obviously, if you're interested in owning a franchise in a particular market you think it will work. They have a building that they didn't when the Jets left. I don't want to raise expectations, because it's not fair to the fans. But if we have to move a franchise, there are places that have expressed interest that we would strongly consider and obviously, Winnipeg is on that list and probably very high on that list."

04-21-2011, 09:08 AM	#1368
troutman Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Crowsnest Pass Exp:	BETTMAN BELIEVES COYOTES STILL MAY STAY IN PHOENIX http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=363052 Bettman said that the recent television contract the NHL signed with NBC Sports Group will not be affected* if Phoenix - one of the largest US television markets - was erased from the equation.* "If that's the case, then why aren't you in Winnipeg already?" Cybulski asked. "We do everything possible to protect our fans against moving franchises and disconnecting them with the franchises they root for," Bettman said. "It's interesting talking about Winnipeg and people being impatient, because people in Winnipeg know it's not fun to lose your franchise. And that's part of the reason we do the things we do, for our fans everywhere, to not move franchises unless you absolutely have no choice," he added. "It's been well chronicled; there are people interested in owning a franchise in Winnipeg. Obviously, if you're interested in owning a franchise in a particular market you think it will work. They have a building that they didn't when the Jets left. I don't want to raise expectations, because it's not fair to the fans. But if we have to move a franchise, there are places that have expressed interest that we would strongly consider and obviously, Winnipeg is on that list and probably very high on that list."