The Hamilton Predators Show Their Hand
Why should 29 NHL teams man the barricades to save the Nashville Predators? What do they care? And why should 28 teams fight to protect the Toronto Maple Leafs' monopoly in southwestern Ontario? The Leafs remain hockey's richest and most powerful brand name, with or without a bit of neighborhood competition.
Those questions come to mind amidst reports that the owner-in-waiting of the Nashville Predators is anxious to bring matters to a head:
Jim Balsillie came to an agreement with the city of Hamilton Wednesday as the destination for the Nashville Predators and also announced plans, according to a source, to accept deposits on season's tickets.
However, Balsillie's plans to move the National Hockey League team to Hamilton may never be realized because of growing opposition from NHL governors.
An NHL source said yesterday that Balsillie's bid for the Predators is still not on the agenda for next week's board of governors meeting and other sources say opposition among NHL executives and governors is mounting because they feel Balsillie is acting prematurely in dealing with the possible move to Hamilton before he has even bought the team.
That's from David Shoalts at Globeandmail.com. In a previous article, Shoalts quotes an unnamed NHL governor who says the old boys' club is none too pleased with the pushy new kid:
"In my travels, I've already had people, unasked, say, 'Who is this clown?' I've had three clubs mention this to me."Maybe this sets up a millionaire's power struggle, with Jim Balsillie taking on the NHL establishment.
But NHL owners always look to the bottom line, and the annoying young hotshot is putting over $220 million on the table for a struggling franchise. That makes every other team look good.
It's just as likely that any showdown over the Predators' future will be resolved with face-saving compromises all around and Balsillie free to do what he likes with his new toy.
In any case, the NHL is one old boys' club that could do with a little shaking up. The business of hockey can be pretty dreary stuff, but this story should be fun to watch.
Update, June 14: The Hamilton ticket drive is officially underway.
Comments
I say let him buy the team and move it to the Hammer. It seems like it is ok with the league to consistantly have struggling teams in the US, and just have that team move to another US city, but why not give it a chance north of the border?? That’s my 6 or 9 cents.
struggling?they averaged 13,850,thats not struggling compared to some other teams.fun to watch?this guy can jump off a cliff
I think the NHL and all Americans (that actually give a hoot about hockey) are afraid that we are taking one back. Quebec City lost the Nordiques, Winnipeg lost the Jets… lets take one back for Canada. Balsillie should be heard and Gary Bettman is absolutely ignorant.
The Nashville commuinty was missled by the current owner.Only part of the team was for sale.(he was looking for partners) None of the Nashville business offers were accepted. If it was made clear that the whole thing was for sale the offers from the area probably would have been more substantle. I dont realy have a dog in this fight becaus i live in louisville ky.But i do drive two and a half hours to see the preds play 2 or 3 times a mounth during the seasion. I understand about loosing money and a team needs to be profitable. But be honest and upfront with the Buisnesses and fans of Nashville. Right now the city has ralleyed to fight and keep the preds at home in nashville.
Too bad this deal may fall through. Nashville fans are the rudest in the league.
“Nashville fans are the rudest in the league.”
where are you from? I may admit the nashville fans may be new to the game, (constantly telling players to pass and shot from the upper deck) but they are not rude at all.
and he only problem in nashville, is there isn’t corprate sponsorship. it’s not the fans, every game has great attendence.
why is hamilton the choice anyways? it’s less than 50 miles from toronto,
Why not Tell Hamilton To suck on a lemmon? they already have a ligitimate minor team who won the Calder Cup, There Gonna Move To where? Montreal of course, and the media would destroy them there, its like playing in a fish bowl, hamilton is alot better place for a farm team then a NHL team, just bring the Jets back thats the simpleist idea, cause i dont think the nordics are comming back anytime soon. GO JETS GO
i think they should move the team to winnipeg. Also Usa sucks
The Predators are staying in Nashville.
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=58055
Good luck with your AHL team, Hamilton.