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If you haven’t already heard, Judge Redfield T. Baum ruled this past Monday evening against Jim Balsillie and his bid to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes from Jerry Moyes for $212 million, and move the team to Hamilton, OT. The Judge said that Balsillie’s decision deadline of June 29th did not give enough time to completely cover and rule on the whole case.
Balsillie isn’t giving up, however… even though his battle might be a tougher one than trying to make ice in a desert. Balsillie is going to submit another motion to the court, to purchase the team and hopefully enter mediation with the NHL.
So what do we all and Jim Balsillie do? SEND AN EMAIL TO GARY BETTMAN AND FLOOD HIS INBOX!!!!!!!!!!! We are working with Jim Balsillie and his MakeItSeven campaign to send the little commish as many emails as possible.
Simply fill out the form below and hit submit, and the message below will be sent to Gary Bettman!!!!!:
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Dear Mr. Bettman,
Why not?
It’s a simple question being asked by hockey fans like me. The nation that has the deepest roots and passion for the game of hockey, and fans all over the world want to know why there can’t be a seventh NHL hockey team in southern Ontario?
The NHL has already approved Mr. Balsillie as an NHL owner and in his ruling on Monday the 15th, Judge Redfield T. Baum recognized that he is an approved NHL owner.
It is clear that Hamilton remains the best location for the Coyotes versus letting it wither in the desert. So why not?
In his ruling Judge Baum also encouraged the NHL and Jim Balsillie to sit down together in mediation to determine what a fair and reasonable relocation fee would be. Mr. Balsillie has said he’s willing to participate in mediation. So why not?
We love this game and we know you do too. It’s time for discussion. It’s time to Make It Seven.
Why Not?
Sincerely,
A dedicated hockey fan
I hate Bettman, the little twit is so ignorant.
WAKE UP BETTMAN, THE DESERT CALLED THEY WANT THE ICE GONE!
The better question is just Why?! As in, WHY the FUCK is Bettman still in power?!
Since when does Bettman love hockey?
Bettman is the ‘Hitler’ of the NHL !!
1) The Yotes are a “dead team Walking’ Whether its Balsillie or someone else. they will be sold this summer and more likely than ot moved after the season to KC or if Balsillie wins, Hamilton
2) bettman still has a job because he is the owners mouthpiece and has done well for them. Few expected he would get a salary cap and by doing so sealed his fate as commish for life!
I think Fauxrumors might be on to something with this “KC” thing–why else, logically, would the NHL’s board of nutjobs not back the move to Hamilton?
I enjoyed the thorough “booing” that Bettman received at the Draft on Friday. Is he aware he can improve his public perception by simply moving a team to Hamilton? Except in Phoenix I suppose.
I fully expect a team in Vegas now, after watching that steaming pile of Awards Show. I hate the idea, and I hope Bettman is fired before that can happen, but all the signs are there. Phoenix will limp along 1 or 2 more seasons, then they’ll pack up and move, no questions asked, no lawsuits, no Balsillie, No Canada.
Dear Mr. Bettman,
When the fan’s of Ice Hockey read the Obituary, will it read Suicide or Homicide? Has the game at the NHL level been ruined by your sheer incompetence thus the death of the league is negligent homicide or has the utter unadulterated greed of Ownership simply killed the golden goose rendering the death of the NHL a Suicide?
Mr. Bettman, you and the Owners have made the game almost unwatchable. I have been a dyed in the wool fan of not only the Flyers but of the game in itself since the early 1970’s. Under you tutelage the game has become a watered down version, so much so that at this point I Would rather watch the Frozen Four before I watch an NHL broadcast. There are two reasons for this. The first is, at least the college kids are playing for something. Secondly Who can even find a game?
There are different start times in different markets, In Philly alone, a city known for their support of the Black and Orange the Games may be on 3 different stations, sorry scratch that. 4 different stations. CN8, Channel 57, Vs, or Comcast sportsnet. Making it impossible to find it. If this is happening in other markets this could be part of the ratings problem. I don’t think Hockey as been in this bad of shape since the Time Magazine “WAR ON ICE” Issue.
I will admit that what you helped do for the NBA when you were in Marketing was pretty impressive. But come on You had some help. Remember Michael?
Hockey can not be marketed the same way. First off the Tickets are way too expensive, even for the cheap seats. People do not buy Hockey equipment based on the player who owns it. Sticks. Skate, Pads and so on are very expensive, so it is a personal feel decision. I do not buy skates because Sid wears them. I buy them because they fit and have the protection I need. Skates can run upwards of 500 dollars and sticks upwards to 200 dollars.
I get it that Basketball Sneakers are expensive, But Kids will buy Iversons or Jordans to play ball in whether in the gym or on the playground. They will also buy several players jerseys and the shorts to match.
Hockey only offers the Jersey for Revenue. Sure some hats and some Bric a Brack, but lets be realistic here. The game does not lend itself to merchandising. A pro Jersey with Number and Lettering is like 300 dollars, If the Jersey is not purchased from the stadium say in a pro shop the league does not see a dime.
So in closing, Mr. Bettman, Please stop trying to cover the same ground you did in the NBA and let Hockey be Hockey. If Sid or Evgeni can’t take the heat in the Crease don’t change the rules, Change the hero.
The last few years have been set up to create a superstar. Any real Hockey fan can see that. Up until this point Stars happened. Even Gretzky had to fight his way through the 80’s style of play. There was no rule in 1980 that you could not push a guy around in the crease. Many players had their careers cut short buy making the Crease their office.
Roll back these watered downed rules, Retire and give the game back to the Fans who love it.
PS.
Phoenix belongs in Hamilton.
To all of you folks in the Toronto Area, One more team won’t hurt. It will only help.
PPS, If Mr Bettman does not Retire, Get ready for the 2010 NHL Lady Bing Awards Show. All Lady Bing all the time.
Re: Scott Goldman,
I agree completely. The NHL has become soft and at times completely unwatchable. The “bending” of the rules to affect certain teams or players during the play-offs was distasteful at best, downright offensive at worst. How can the same action result in suspension for some players (Carcillo), it resulted in no more than a slap on the wrist for others (Walker, Malkin). During his tenure, we’ve mourned the loss of the Nordiques, Jets, and The Whale. We’ve seen the abandonment of traditional sweaters in favor of the new trendy “aerodynamic” RBK Edge jerseys. There have been two work stoppages, which resulted in the lack of a prominent cable TV deal (at least try to get a game on USA once a week). But antoher thing that gets overlooked often is the fact that we’ve witnessed the incidents of Marty McSorely, Todd Bertuzzi, Chris Simon, and to a lesser extent, Donald Brashear this year.
In short, go away Bettman; go to the WNBA. Cause even the NBA deserves better than to have you in any sort of power.
A roommate urged me to read this site, brill post, interesting read… keep up the nice work!