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Leipold said his team has lost $70 million in 10 years of ownership.
That's one hell of a business outlook...
Yet the league still doesn't see that it's not a good market to have a pro team in? Give them an AHL franchise and let them see how that does. I honestly think it would've been smart for the league to put minor league franchises into all of these questionable expansion locations, let them see how hockey is received, and build up a fanbase before giving them an NHL team.
Actually I agree with you there, but unfortunately we've gotten to the point with the NHL Front Office where we have to do the same thing as I've been doing here in Chicago for a decade. That is append every good rational idea that would make good sense from a business standpoint with "but then, this is the NHL we're talking about so it's obvious why they didn't actually do that as it would have made sense."
LOL! Yeah, we can't have the league making sense now, can we?
Just remember, Gary Bettman is a very smart man. He worked in the NBA and we all know that league is a shining example of all that is right in professional sports!
Maybe Vince McMahon should buy the whole entire NHL...at least he can market rubbish. And he markets pure bread rubbish real well. Too bad he is such an idiot too.
I think I'd rather skip a league full of McMahon's roid-raged monsters killing each other on the ice and taking the rage back home with them. Thanks anyways.
Oh yeah...that I know. No question. Just making the point that if he can market that garbage he markets and do what he does in spite of all the stupid things he does and permits and encourages....nah the XFL sucked. I was more being sarcastic, because well...I am me.
batdad wrote:I was more being sarcastic, because well...I am me.
Possibly my favorite batdad post evar.
On a semi-related note/theme as the McMahon thing, I'd absolutely LOVE to see Marc Cuban buy an NHL team. Can you imagine having him at an Owner's meeting with Bill Wirtz? I'd buy THAT on PPV! Also, Cuban could get the league a decent TV contract as he has powerful ties via his DirecTV association.
Wasn't Cuban involved in trying to buy a team not that long ago? Or was that something else? Maybe he was trying to start a new league for some sport? I can't remember exactly what it was. I just remember thinking it was a good thing for him to get involved in something else. I kind of think we need a new generation of owners in the NHL for it to evolve and survive in today's market. The old guard just doesn't grasp that times have changed.
Yeah, the XFL was a major flop. Obviously, Vince knows how to market wrestling. He was brought up in that business. He doesn't understand sports though. The XFL was a ballsy move, just not well executed. You know the one good thing to come out of the XFL? That camera on a wire that goes down the field. It gets some great shots.
batdad wrote:I think there was a rumour about that he was after the Penguins at one point....way back.
I'd love to see Cuban get a team. He'd give hockey a huge push in the right direction in the US. More exposure is always good at this point - even if it's at the price of jackass as an owner!
If he eventually wants to own a team, I'm not sure that this is the best way to go about it. Especially considering that it will be a cold day in hell when Buttman finally releases his icy-death grip on the league.
Looks like after all that bother... The Preds will be stayin in Nashvile. Craig Leipold has written a letter on intent to hand over ownership of the Predators to a local group. $40 million cheaper than what Balsillie offered to move the team, what a joke, still gonna fail in Nashville
Nah..no worries. One of this "local" grup happens to be the guy from LA, Boots whatever...who happens to have rights to putting a team in Kansas City...who happen to want a team....who will happen to get a team in 2008-09...hmm wonder how?
Now all of that being said...in Vancouver there is a fight over ownership of the Canucks in court right now...and the guys suing our new owner Acquilini, never even had a letter of intent. Many expect them to win the suit and get some $ from Acquilini and maybe Orca Bay (prev owner McCaw company)
Now...when you have a letter of intent signed for say $230 million US, and then you say no deal in the end, and then sell the team for about $190 mill US, or $40 mill US less than the original sale (that was virtually completed) might there be a bit of an issue for whoever, whatever stopped the original sale?
Mr. Bettman...you are screwing your owners...cause if BALSIILLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIEEEEE sues...you lose!
Also, do you think Balsillie will go away quietly? Um..no. Me thinks the Florida Panthers will be next on his "get another team in S. Ontario campaign"
batdad wrote:Mr. Bettman...you are screwing your owners...cause if BALSIILLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIEEEEE sues...you lose!
Also, do you think Balsillie will go away quietly? Um..no. Me thinks the Florida Panthers will be next on his "get another team in S. Ontario campaign"
That's right on the money, Batdad! Balsillie have been screwed twice now by Bettman and his reactions to the press last week shows that he's really tired with the way Bettman handled the situation in Nashville...
can you blame him, he was offering $40million for the team, and was willing to move to a more supported market, and the team was sold elsewhere. Balsillie has lost a hell of potentail money there, and i wud be seriously ticked off if i was him
Yes, Balsillie have some real grievences with Bettman... And, as Batdad said, he will probobly turn to another franchise and try again... Why not Florida...
I would love to see Bettman "Phaneufed"! 
Possibly my favorite batdad post evar. 
