Quote:
Originally Posted by Resolute 14
No, the Dallas sale resolved to Tom Gagliardi (former Canucks co-owner)
What I believe it means, and I won't claim expertise, is that if necessary, the league will forward revenue sharing and TV revenue payments ahead of schedule to the Devils if the team ends up with cashflow problems and is at risk of not paying the bills. (rumoured to be what happened with Dallas). The accumulating debt would remain the owner's problem, but his entire reason for selling most or all of the team is to get that under control. I would be willing to bet the incoming owner, when Bettman finds him, will be assuming some of the outstanding debt as well.
Basically, the NHL's role would be to keep the team operational while the financial issues get worked out. The Devils' owner has nearly exhausted his ability to fund and operate the team due to his debt load on the arena, and the league simply can't allow a team to collapse, especially if it were to happen midseason.
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Ok, so while it's not the same situation as the Yotes, it's still not very pleasant for the league and the collective ownership groups. I still gotta think this is affecting the BoG (if I am using the term correctly?) in some ways. Especially since Atlanta was just moved and as you mentioned Dallas was just in the same trouble. It doesn't fill one with a bunch of confidence.
If I was an owner I would be wondering about the stance of staying at all costs. Course they have info and strategies we aren't privy to. But still, I'd be wondering about the current strategies of the league.
Unless this is just all a plan to keep the Yotes in Phoenix as long as possible because other teams (ala Altanta) will have to be moved too.