The Ongoing Coyotes Sale Thread

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

It was mentioned before the 25 million was already in escrow, it was placed there as part of the deal the league and the city negotiated before the ownership search started, if so the money is not coming form the city (legaly) and so the boat on objecting has already sailed.

That was for last season, they'll have to make a new gift agreement for the upcoming season.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Bluzman

No matter what happens there will be no long term security for this team in Phoenix. After 15 years it is well proven that there is no viable revenue stream here. Even if a deal goes through it is just a matter of time before the next owner wants to sell or declare bankruptcy.

Doesn't sound like anything that has anything to do with my point about Bryzgalov. He's not going to sign a 10 year contract in Phoenix anyways no matter what the situation is.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Dogbert

At this point, you really have to wonder if Gary & Friends aren't simply sabotaging the NHL. The amount of damage these idiots have done to this league since taking over is staggering.

Record revenue, record TV deal, record attendance. Terrible, terrible job.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Record revenue, record TV deal, record attendance. Terrible, terrible job.

League attendance has been down over the last few seasons though and looks to keep trending downwards, predominantly due to the sunbelt teams.

[calgaryred]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

League attendance has been down over the last few seasons though and looks to keep trending downwards, predominantly due to the sunbelt teams.

like Phoenix and Atlanta

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Record revenue, record TV deal, record attendance. Terrible, terrible job.

despite Gary, hockey must be a great game.

[Oilbert]

As an Oilers fan, I hope Winnipeg gets a team.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

League attendance has been down over the last few seasons though and looks to keep trending downwards, predominantly due to the sunbelt teams.

The last two seasons have been off the league's record peak of 2008-09, yes. Among the factors for a decline, I would suggest, is the 3000 fans per game the Coyotes themselves lost as a result of this two-year mess.

If you look at the 08-09 league peak to this year, the changes are:

Pittsburgh +2482 (New rink + Winter Classic)
Los Angeles +1578
Nashville +1132
Tampa Bay +851 (Up nearly 2000 from last year)
St. Louis +596
Calgary +543 (Heritage Classic)
Boston +469
Washington +300
Vancouver +180
Philadelphia +165
Toronto +47
Edmonton 0
Montreal 0
Florida -3
NY Rangers -69
Buffalo -79
San Jose -122
Detroit -185
Carolina -229
Ottawa -571
Minnesota -694
Chicago -824 (2009 Winter Classic)
New Jersey -1015
Atlanta -1223
Columbus -2193
Anaheim -2252
Dallas -2607
Phoenix -2667
NY Islanders -2714

If you look at the changes over two years, you see the boom-bust nature of the sunbelt. Yes, some of the southern teams have been the biggest losers over the past two seasons, but they are also some of the biggest winners - and Tampa is going to take another big jump next season if their historical trends continue.

As it is, the league still posted its 3rd and 5th highest averages all-time the past two seasons, despite the economic recession in the US. Not bad at all. The league has done well to actually grow its business over this time even with the pressures created.

FWIW, even on complete sellouts, Winnipeg would only have been 23rd in the league for attendance this past season.

[Resolute 14]

I should add that the consistency in Florida surprised the hell out of me when looking up the numbers. In as much as people trash that market, they still pull over 15k, every year. Imagine if they had a team that could win...

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Well there was the story that Stern picked his dumbest aide to be the NHL commissioner. Good plan for the NBA I guess.

David Stern picked the NHL commissioner while he was employed by the NBA?

Well at least that's a new spin if nothing else.

[Resolute 14]

Hatred makes people say dumb things, Tranny.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by transplant99

David Stern picked the NHL commissioner while he was employed by the NBA?

Well at least that's a new spin if nothing else.

Sometime in 1992...


Gil Stein: "David, it's Gil."
David Stern: "Gil! It's been a while, how's things?"
GS: "Well, I've been pondering retirement."
DS: "Really? But you just got the job."
GS: "I want to get some more time in on the links, y'know?"
DS: "Do I ever, my game is pretty rusty, all things considered."
GS: "Well listen, the reason I'm calling is I was wondering if you have anyone in mind that might be a good fit for taking over, someone to pitch to the Board."
DS: "Have you talked to anyone else yet?"
GS: "Not really."
DS: "Gil, would you hold a minute?"
GS: "Sure."
DS: *puts Gil Stein on hold, buzzes secretary* "Do we still have that useless little twirp Gary something-er-other working for us?"
Secretary: "Gary Bettman - yes sir, he just went to go get you your coffee."
DS: "But I asked for tea... nevermind, what does he do for us again?"
Secretary: "Fetch you things?"
DS: "Well I mean 'officially'."
Secretary: "He's our Senior Vice President."
DS: "Perfect! Send me his employee file immediately."
Secretary: "Yes sir."
DS: *takes the phone off hold* "Gil, I might have just the man for the job...."


And the rest, as they say, is history.

[transplant99]

So you are saying that the NHL BoG were idiots that hired Bettman over Stein who was also wanting the job?

Good to know.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by transplant99

So you are saying that the NHL BoG were idiots that hired Bettman over Stein who was also wanting the job?

Good to know.

[Thumper17]

I just got back from a site-forced vacation, so I havent kept up on the site. Last I read the Winnip- I mean, Phoenix saga was all but at an end and the team was months away from being moved.

What changed? Why do people still honestly think the Je- I mean Coyotes still have a chance to stay?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by transplant99

David Stern picked the NHL commissioner while he was employed by the NBA?

Well at least that's a new spin if nothing else.

Whoosh.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Hatred makes people say dumb things, Tranny.

That's the best you got, you're ridiculous.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by transplant99

David Stern picked the NHL commissioner while he was employed by the NBA?

Well at least that's a new spin if nothing else.

It actually is a popular rumour, they even talk about it on the US radio shows.

Supposedly two NBA officials were being shopped by the NHL, and they desperately wanted to keep the other one, so they endorsed Gary.

There's some other funny theories about it too, the NBA was worried about the NHL catching up in popularity, etc., so he did his best to make sure his buddy Gary got the job on the other side.

All that said, I assume they are just that, rumours. I doubt there is much validity to them.

But it does come up from time to time, not just up here, but in discussions down in the States too.

With all the CBA and strike/lockout talk going on in all the leagues right now, I've actually heard it a few times on Jim Rome, Jason Smith, Fox Sports, etc.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Daradon

It actually is a popular rumour, they even talk about it on the US radio shows.

Supposedly two NBA officials were being shopped by the NHL, and they desperately wanted to keep the other one, so they endorsed Gary.

There's some other funny theories about it too, the NBA was worried about the NHL catching up in popularity, etc., so he did his best to make sure his buddy Gary got the job on the other side.

All that said, I assume they are just that, rumours. I doubt there is much validity to them.

But it does come up from time to time, not just up here, but in discussions down in the States too.

With all the CBA and strike/lockout talk going on in all the leagues right now, I've actually heard it a few times on Jim Rome, Jason Smith, Fox Sports, etc.

Sports Illustrated, Feb, 15, 1993, two weeks after Bettman assumes office . . . . .

A native New Yorker, smart in every sense of the word, Bettman comes to the NHL having studied at "the feet of the master," as he describes his work with NBA commissioner David Stern. Bettman got his undergraduate degree at Cornell ('74) and his law degree at NYU (77) before joining Stern's former law firm, Proskauer Rose Goetz and Mendelsohn. In 1981 Stern took Bettman to the NBA, where he quickly advanced to the position of general counsel, the league's third-in-command, gaining recognition by helping Stern design and implement the salary cap under which pro basketball has thrived.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...7441/index.htm

So, Bettman was handpicked alright . . . . to leave the law firm where they were working together and go with Stern to the NBA where they worked together for another 12 years, Stern apparently disliking Bettman so much he kept this mortal enemy as close as he could, right beside him at the top.

And the same article has an amusing look into Bettman's six point priorities for the NHL as he took office.

Bettman said this a few months ago about the lockout and his role as a front man for the Board of Governors:

"My job includes being the lightning rod. I understand that commissioners typically are not beloved. Having to cancel an entire season was the toughest choice I’ve had to make. But we had to fix the problems."

Cowperson

[Northendzone]

gary is not a likeable guy; however - he has been a the helm when some good things happened; however, i am sure he'd like a mulligan on the whole Yotes situation - but who knows, maybe Richard Branson or Bill Gates will take an interest in ice hockey and buy the team for $500 million and the NHL owners will crow about how Gary is a wizard.....

i have to hand it to him in that he has never seen a stat that he could not spin around to explain to you how folks are spending more time and/or money watching hockey or buying tickets.......