The Ongoing Coyotes Sale Thread

[troutman]

Originally Posted by MacGruber

is sidney crosbys hat some sort of insider and im not aware of it?

His information is solid.

[MacGruber]

how deliciously mysterious! it's like he is batman

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by MacGruber

is sidney crosbys hat some sort of insider and im not aware of it?

Hopefully Photon doesn't get any angry phone calls about him.

[troutman]

An angry Arizona Republic editorial pointed at GWI, and interesting mixed reader comments:

Goldwater, come down from Mount Olympus
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...editorial.html

The offer from Hulsizer appears largely to address her stated concerns about taxpayer exposure to risk. In her late-Monday response to that offer, Olsen looks to be raising some reasonable questions about bond-debt liability. But her chosen method of negotiating - by snotty press release - makes it appear she is rejecting Hulsizer out of hand. Is this what it means to be a community "player"?

Being a "player" means getting involved in negotiations. It means getting involved, in good faith, as a member of the community, not as some ideologically pure priesthood. As it appears now, Goldwater has one real interest: blowing up the negotiated efforts of others. Its efforts are destructive, not constructive. And its unwillingness to respond to the overtures of others is getting tiresome.

The institute should not be so sure there are no consequences to such haughty obstructionism.

[troutman]

Hulsizer letter doesn't change Goldwater stance
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/spe...118403224.html

Glendale taxpayers have been given no protection against a future team bankruptcy. If the team goes bankrupt again, taxpayers will assume the full cost of bond repayment—this is on top of what taxpayers are already paying for the construction of Jobing.com Arena. Any restructured deal should legally protect taxpayers from liability for the bond repayment if the team fails again.

Arizona’s Constitution categorically prohibits the use of public debt to finance private businesses. Glendale justifies public borrowing on the grounds that the city is acquiring valuable consideration in the form of parking rights. However, the city may already own a significant portion of those rights, and the team does not presently have the legal right to sell the rest. If so, the city essentially is "selling" parking revenue rights to itself, which would be a clear violation of the Gift Clause. The new proposal does not address this.

The City of Glendale continues to ignore multiple requests from the Goldwater Institute to disclose public information related to the funding source of the $25 million and the documentation supporting the proposed arena management fees

Goldwater steadfast in vow to block sale of Coyotes
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...rticle1950832/

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by troutman

Explain.

The only reason I can think of is the US TV contract, which has never been worth that much to the NHL. League revenues would rise if the team moved to Winnipeg, the salary cap would go up, and players could be paid more, franchise values could increase. The NHLPA does not need the team to stay in Phoenix.

I have to agree there. Right now, Phoenix is a revenue drain, and is costing the other teams money due to the ownership. They have no local TV ratings, and are negligible to Versus and NBC's coverage. One can argue potential for only so long.

The NHL needs a team in Phoenix only so long as someone is willing to own a team there. If Hulsizer walks away, then it might just be time to give it up. The NHL needed only to accomplish two things here: eliminate Balsillie's threat to the stability of North American pro sports, and make a good faith effort to find a local owner. They've achieved both. If they can't save the team itself, that is most unfortunate, but that is also outside of the BOG's hands.

Additionally there's no reason why the league couldn't return to the Phoenix market later - perhaps after the American economy begins to recover. Quietly seek an owner and give the market a new opportunity without the baggage.

[greyshep]

What a messy situation.

Goldwater is happy to sit on the outside and form a virtual roadblock to getting any deals done. If I was a Coyotes fan I would want them to become part of the solution and contribute to that.

Hulsizer and the City of Glendale meanwhile seem to be trying to slip a fast one in here. Not forthcoming on any details at all just seems wrong. If this deal between the city and Hulsizer is clean, then come out and prove it. This should be the easiest thing for any honest transaction. The fact they are evasive on every turn is very telling.

I can appreciate both sides of this debate, but in this day and age of apparent transparency its hard to be able to jump on the Hulsizer/COG bandwagon. I would think it would be hard even if you were a Coyote loyalist.

[jaydub74]

Originally Posted by troutman

Explain.

The only reason I can think of is the US TV contract, which has never been worth that much to the NHL. League revenues would rise if the team moved to Winnipeg, the salary cap would go up, and players could be paid more, franchise values could increase. The NHLPA does not need the team to stay in Phoenix.

Couldn't agree more. With the possibility the NBA and NFL will not play next year the NHL maybe the only game in town and NBC, Versus & ESPN will looking for tv programming anywhere they can get it. This may mean dollars for the NHL, more dollars if it includes more US cities. Maybe enough dollars for the BOG to continue to fund the coyotes in the short to long term. I don't see this team coming to Canada anytime soon, the BOG wants it money, TV money. Sucks but its true.

[Walter Reed]

Originally Posted by MacGruber

is sidney crosbys hat some sort of insider and im not aware of it?

I believe he is employed by the Oilers ... no really, I'm serious ....
If I'm wrong, I'm sure he'll correct me ...

[Plett25]

Originally Posted by greyshep

Goldwater is happy to sit on the outside and form a virtual roadblock to getting any deals done. If I was a Coyotes fan I would want them to become part of the solution and contribute to that.

I don't think Goldwater is opposed to the Coyotes staying in Glendale. They are opposed to government subsidizing the Coyotes.

They think they are right and that the law is on their side. There isn't much room for compromise from that position.

I bet if a 100% private deal between the NHL and Hulsizer was agreed to, the Goldwater Institute would give Bettman and Hulsizer a standing ovation.

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by Plett25

I don't think Goldwater is opposed to the Coyotes staying in Glendale. They are opposed to government subsidizing the Coyotes.

They think they are right and that the law is on their side. There isn't much room for compromise from that position.

I bet if a 100% private deal between the NHL and Hulsizer was agreed to, the Goldwater Institute would give Bettman and Hulsizer a standing ovation.

Yep. I agree, just trying to put myself in the shoes of a Coyote fan.

Absolutely if Hulsizer was to use the traditional practice of buying things with his own money we wouldnt even have this thread open anymore.

This deal just stinks from so many angles.

[automaton 3]

If Hulsizer comes up with the cash himself or is able to secure adequate financing, all of these problems go away. The fact that they had to resort to a creative use of a municipal bond issue to fund a large portion of the purchase price is pretty telling as to what banks and potential investors think about this deal.

As others have said, clearly he is a bright guy and is only willing to take on a small amount (or no) risk here.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by troutman

His information is solid.

Except he's been wrong every step of the way.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by troutman

Explain.

The only reason I can think of is the US TV contract, which has never been worth that much to the NHL. League revenues would rise if the team moved to Winnipeg, the salary cap would go up, and players could be paid more, franchise values could increase. The NHLPA does not need the team to stay in Phoenix.

Atlanta. Winnipeg is the solution for Atlanta so Phoenix does not have a solution essentially. If folding the Thrashers is an option, the NHLPA needs the team to stay in Phoenix. If the NHL buying the Thrashers in as option, the NHL Board of Governors needs the team to stay in Phoenix.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Except he's been wrong every step of the way.

Please reserve comment until we see the end result.

[Walter Reed]

Good Lord there are a lot of ugly Winnipegers on the AZcentral website.
The nonsense written there makes me almost embarrassed to be a Canadian.
Show a little class Winnipeg.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Atlanta. Winnipeg is the solution for Atlanta so Phoenix does not have a solution essentially.

Why would Winnipeg be the solution specifically for Atlanta as opposed to Phoenix?

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Please reserve comment until we see the end result.

Every step of the way so far, better? You and Bouw have had no qualms making overly confident statements about how this whole thing will play out, so why can't I?

... besides, so far I've been right and I don't claim to have any insiders.

[landshark]

Goldwater is right to do anything in their power to block this nonsense... if this deal is so good, why does the financing have to come from Glendale? Why not a real lender? Why not? Because it is a bad investment - the team goes bankrupt again then whoever holds the loan paper is stuck with the debt. No one in their right mind would lend $100M to this sink hole. I have a hard time believing that it's getting serious consideration.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by valo403

Goldwater shows it true colors once again, a group concerned with self promotion and political grandstanding ahead of the interests of the people they claim to represent. They're politicians, nothing more, the difference being that they aren't held accountable.

If you mean protecting the taxpayer from even more debt funneling down the toilet, yeah they are guilty.

This deal isn't in the interests of the people, it's in the interests of a few politicians who may be getting paid off, Hulsizer, the NHL and the few Coyotes fans.