A National Insult? Hardly

Great to see the country's "national newspaper" has taken on the task of being the propaganda arm for Jim Balsillie. Normally businessmen of that stature have to pay for such services.

The way that media outlet talks it is as though southern Ontario hockey fans are some great oppressed people straining under the rule of the tyrant Bettman, with the liberator Balsillie prepared to set them free. Guess the NHL commissioner's trips to Calgary and Edmonton in recent months to push for new arenas to support NHL teams in those cities was also about somehow denying Canadians their national birthright.

And here I was just thinking it was about the business of hockey.

Here's what's interesting. If Jim Balsillie had followed through on his original plans to buy the Nashville Predators back in 2007, right now he could be preparing to go to the NHL board of governors next month and make his case for relocating the team to Hamilton.

He could have spent the last two years building alliances with different NHL owners and gaining their trust. He could have been carefully courting the support of key league administrators and generally making himself known in the NHL community as something other than an unpredictable maverick.

Assuming the Preds had still not been able to flourish in Tennessee after two seasons under Balsillie's ownership, his fellow governors would have had to listen to his plea to move the team.

Theoretically, the Preds could have been in Hamilton by next fall. Of course, that would mean that all those people (15,000?) who put down season ticket deposits of $500 to $1,000 two years ago would be getting calls now to come up with the rest of the $8,000-$10,000 for a pair of tickets to see the Hamilton Predators.

Betcha a lot of people in this current economy would be thrilled to get that call, huh?

But Balsillie didn't have the patience for simply buying a team, getting into the club and then biding his time. He wants a team in Hamilton now, and on his terms. So to bankruptcy court in Phoenix today we go.

A couple of other points before we move on to today's mail bag.

-- Isn't it funny how those westerners who sarcastically ridicule Toronto as the "Centre of the Universe" are suddenly so impressed with us that they proclaim the GTA to be the logical place to place a second NHL club?

-- Got one comment saying Phoenix is a lousy hockey market because it has no history in the game. Fact is, the Phoenix Roadrunners of the WHL were the first pro sports team to ever plant roots in Arizona back in 1967.

-- The players union backs the relocation of Phoenix, but also wants the NHL to get off NBC and get back on ESPN. Well, where do you think ESPN would prefer a team? Phoenix or Hamilton?

-- Sorry, but 73,000 email communiques for Balsillie's website don't impress me. American Idol got 60 million votes for its competition on Tuesday. Now that impresses me.

Some questions for today:

Q: Hi Damien,
Quick turn from the NHL Playoffs to the AHL Playoffs for a moment. Do you find it odd that even under a new administration, the Toronto Marlies STILL played their backup over Pogge during the playoffs? (Game#6)

Jim G., St. Catharines

A: Odd? Not really, not this time. Last year it was about not giving Pogge a shot. This spring, well, Pogge got his shot in the NHL and was found wanting. I'd imagine there's a pretty good chance he won't be re-signed at all this summer. Maybe Adam Munro becomes the goalie of the future.

Q: Hey Damien,
Any news regarding the 'Monster' from Sweden? From what I've read he's been merely ok. Do you know if Burke still has interest or has things cooled off?
Thanks Damien,

Tom Bajusz, San Antonio, TX

A: They're still interested. But it sounds like Jonas (The Monster) Gustavsson is going to shop his services around. In Toronto he'd get a shot at being No. 1. Not sure which other NHL club can offer him that opportunity next fall.

Q: Hi Damien,
In one of you recent blogs you wrote about the in-game entertainment packages in the Verizon Centre, the Wachovia Centre and Madison Square Garden which put MLSE to shame.  Can you please provide more detail as to what these buildings are doing for their ticket paying public?

J. M., Toronto

A: Well, you have to go and decide for yourself if you find it appealing. It's just a livelier, more current show all around, less about performing skits designed to insult the other team and more about using music, video and atmosphere to create an environment in which customers feel inclined to participate, and not just when there's a simulated pair of clapping hands on the large screen. 

During the playoffs, Damien Cox is answering your questions on a regular basis. Click here to submit a question.
**Note: please follow the link above to send a question to Damien. Questions posted in the comments section may not make it to the mailbag. Thanks.**

Comments

[Greg Macdonald]

Damien,

I enjoy your columns and generally agree that we need to have another side to the "Balsillie as hockey saviour" story but I think some of your points are off the mark. I don't see what Bettman trying to help Edmonton and Calgary get new rinks has anything to do with Balsillie. He wants owners to get public money for their new buildings so they can turn around and line their pockets with more expensive tickets, popcorn, beer etc. Sounds like the same thing he's doing for the Leafs by keeping Balsillie out of southern Ontario. This is personal. Balsillie is still angry at Bettman for the Pittsburgh deal and won't stop until he gets his head on a platter. If it isn't Phoenix then the Islanders, Lightning or any other number of teams would love to have his millions.

[Stephen]

"There were no local buyers for Winnipeg and Quebec, just like Phoenix. Difference is Phoenix already has a new arena. Does this mean the NHL only keeps teams in markets who have quickly provided arena?"

The key is that Bettman was apparently close to finalising a deal to keep them in Phoenix (that's why he's there this week), albeit for something closer to the Forbes valuation of the franchise (140 million) rather than the ridiculous current offer, which is more about satisfying all creditors and making any proposal simple to approve. If it was in fact from Jerry Reinsdorf, then... well, you can understand why Bettman's pissed at Phoenix.

[koholeaf]

The point your missing here Damien is that the the RimMan is a self made billionaire, I'm sure he ahs the acumen and knowledge of how to operate in that tight little club known as the NHL. I really don't believe he ran out of patience for the process but ran out of patience with Bettman's continual campaign of negativity on his bid. Bettman clearly has a personal problem with Balsillie, one need only observe his sneering commentary on the businessman to know this is true. How long do you think the other self made guys are going to want to keep dumping money into the leagues losing propositions, something that as successful types they would not normally do. Yes, for a time one could believe that the commish was going to deliver that big fat TV contract but one need only to take a close look at past performance to know which way the wind blows. Money is the great equalizer and Balsillies got it in spades

[damiencoxbettman]

Damien, you wrote:

"Sorry, but 73,000 email communiques for Balsillie's website don't impress me. American Idol got 60 million votes for its competition on Tuesday. Now that impresses me."

You are an idoit. This is comparing apples to oranges. Why don't you write one of the many hockey reporters in Phoenix / Glendale and have them launch a "Save the Coyotes" website campaign. Let's see how long it takes to reach 73,000.

As for the American Idol reference, 60 million votes is not what should be impressing you. What should impress you is how many more millions of Americans were willing to watch American Idol rather than the two NHL games that night (Detroit v. Anaheim & Vancouver v. Chicago).

American Idol airs on Fox in primetime nationally in the US and regularly attracts over 20 million viewers per episode. What say you dig up the rating for the two NHL games on that night and we'll talk about what a great success Gary Bettman has been is terms of making the NHL a profitable enterprise south of the border.

[Josh]

Damen Said:
"But look at it from the perspective of an NHL owner. Balsillie says he wants to buy into your business.."

Damien... If I were an NHL owner, someone who has profitted from doing business in a market environment, why would I support the NHL, who's victory would set a precedent that would handcuff my own ability to sell in the future?

The NHL is telling Moyes, who's deeply in debt because of owning this failure of a franchise, that he doesnt have a right to sell his team and pay off his debts. Why would someone who owns the Islanders, Panthers, Thrashers or any other team in a risky market not support Moyes and Balsillie?

If this deal is deemed "against the rules" it would set a precedent of Central Control within the NHL that would not only worry present owners about what might happen if they go into debt, but also deter external groups and billionaires from wanting to invenst in a team that they could not easily sell or move in the event of financial failure.

I don't know what your motives are behind support Bettman in this case, but it is obvious you are either a) writing with an agenda or b) just really like to anger people

GO LEAFS GO!

[RJ]

I usually like points Damien brings up, but I disagree here. Fact is Southern Ontario fans want an alternative to the leafs and deservedly so. Don't get me wrong, I love the leafs and bleed blue and white, but I haven't been able to get to a leaf game without shelling out a good (major) portion of paycheck in over 15 years! Would I prefer standing room, buying from scalpers...HELL No. I live in the east and I would prefer to travel to Hamilton (and still root for the LEAFS) than deal with the border and the US exchange rate to get to Buffalo.

Bettman cannot even give us a reason as to why we don't have a second team. He avoids the question like Swine Flu. Rangers fans go to Islander games all the time because its more affordable, without any problems. It's sad that the MLS is run a whole lot better than the NHL. Listen to the fans, feel their passion and grow the game the way its meant to be.

Makingitseven.ca is the REAL PASSION THAT UNITES US ALL! 73,000 and growing!

[mark]

Mark here responding to Damien... I didn't say that Mr.B. would be a perfect owner. What I said was that compared to the current crop it's hard to argue with his deep pockets and passion for the game. I also think that while you might not agree with Balsillie's tactics it appears that Bettman is giving him little choice. Mr.Bettman needs a dose of reality and if he were smart he'd grab this opportunity, particularly during the worst economic downturn in 30+ years. He's going to need subsidy dollars from Canada if he has any hope of saving some of the other US franchises.

[Bryon]

It's all well and good to refer to Raleigh, Miami, Phoenix, Atlanta and Nashville as major markets; for most things, they absolutely are. But for hockey they simply aren't. So how is it that a group of supposedly shrewd businessmen can't figure out that there is a reason that their businesses are failing in those markets, in some places (Atlanta, we're looking in your direction) for the second time? Meanwhile, there are a bunch of cities in Canada, as well as in other parts of the States, where hockey is loved and the communities at large will embrace the teams, not just a fanatical core of 5 or 10,000.

From a Canadian hockey nut's perspective, it's confusing, insulting and frustrating to watch the league continue to back failing teams in cities that by and large don't care, while ignoring those that do and that will increase revenues for the league.

I'm not a huge fan of Balsillie's tactics here, but man am I ever hoping that he manages to get the team!

[David]

As far as I'm concerned Jim Balsillie is a National hero.

There could be multiple teams in Southern Ontario - all of them cash cows for the NHL.

Bettman hates Canada. This is not debatable.

The NHL has attempted to screw Balsillie out of a franchise for the third time.

You might want to check your passport. Are you sure it says
Canada on the cover?

[Mike]

It's not that "The National Newspaper" (what's the problem, can't address the Globe and Mail by name?) is a propaganda arm, it's that they are reporting the real facts on how screwed up the Phoenix situation is. I also recall that they were the only ones who said MONTHS AGO what was going on, while most of the media was silent.

Damien, if YOU had bothered to look into those facts, instead of repeating some BS Napoleon Bettman sent you in an email. I'm sure you would have come to a different conclusion than you have.

So over 12,000 actual deposits and 100,000 signatures don't impress you, but a $73M loss in 3 years and a rumoured phantom bid from Reinsdorf does? (BTW, I don't believe the NHL for a second when they say he is dumb enough to spend close to $200M on a perennial money-pit) Still haven't heard a single idea from you that would make the team profitable so I'll give you one: How about the Coyotes become a "bank holding company"! Worked for almost every other failed business in the states, right.

[dl]

Damien,
Was it the Predators deal where the contract was all but signed until the NHL put in some stipulations in the contract and Balsillie walked away from it? Or, was that the Penguins deal?

Also, the Coyotes moved to Phenix in 1996. That is 13 years ago and they have never turned a profit. Bettman keeps telling us that all is fine, but 13 years and 70 million dollars of losses is ridiculous.

[Colin M]

Basically, Damien, you're saying that Balsillie should have done what Clay Bennett did with the SuperSonics -- and Bennett was roasted in every market outside of Oklahoma City for it. The stupid thing is that you may be right. Being a lying, backstabbing sneak might well have worked in a way that being up front about his intentions hasn't. What does that say about the state of professional sports? More importantly, what does that say about the leadership of Gary Bettman (and David Stern, for that matter)?

[Johnny "the Juice" Giusti]

Keep the comments coming people! It is clear that in the arena of public opinion, Bettman and Damien are on the losing end of the current debate ;)

[Not so alienated]

Why base this discussion on the "what-if" Nashville scenario instead of the "what-actually-happened" Pittsburgh scenario? Balsillie did try to play ball with the NHL and just got burned in the process. How many times would you expect him to do this before getting adversarial about it?

Also, as a former Western-Ontarian turned Western-Canadian, let me put things straight vis-a-vis Toronto: "Oh I used to be disgusted, and now I try to be amused..." Your kidding yourself if you think anyone out here has time to waste worrying about things in the big swamp. Just like to see another Canadian NHL team, anywhere.

[Joe Nix]

As with Dallas and Southern California, Phoenix area youth hockey has grown to the point that they have four in minor pro hockey,
3 in Eastern US college hockey, 17 in juniors, 6 of whom are in either the BCHL or WHL.

Source Arizona Rubber Magazine Alumni listing for 2008-09 season.
http://www.arizonarubber.com/about.cfm

[Stephen B]

With respect to the arena "entertainment package" I personally find all the extraneous rubbish pumped through the scoreboards and loudspeakers in NHL arenas to be distracting at best. I buy my ticket to see a hockey game, not to be part of the captive audience for some lowest-common-denominator game show.

[Sam Conner]

Sounds like the NHL will die from stupidity. Item 1 - teams lose money - 13 years in a row sometimes and they must be saved., Item 2 - Markets that make money can not have more teams because they are in Canada, Item 3 - TV ratings in the US override everything even though they never have or will be good - bowling, golf, horseracing (ask what NBC does when a good race in on), nascar,soccer, NFL football, high school football, baseball, basketball - all get better ratings and always will, Item 4 - US sports fans don't care about hockey and most don't even know where Toronto is on the map. Point - give us our game back and I don't care if the players only make 100k per year - they will live.

[angelsmoke]

If our "national newspaper" has taken on the task of being the propaganda arm for Jim Balsillie, then I guess that puts you COX, in the position of being the pitbull dog for that CARTEL MEMBER they call MLSE...

your so lame...it's obvious to see, you see the court of public opinion is on Basille's side. So in an effort to stir "reader comments", for favorable circumstance for your greedy self, you trash him. That move is soooo MSLE... Just like that cartel called MLSE, you know how to capitalize on q good thing. YOUR ALWAYS RIGHT COX - YOU WIN AGAIN....sleep tight with those greedy swine down at 40 Bay Street.

[Bob R.]

Damien, you write:

"The way that media outlet talks it is as though southern Ontario hockey fans are some great oppressed people straining under the rule of the tyrant Bettman, with the liberator Balsillie prepared to set them free."

Damien, I suspect you get your Leaf game tickets, for free. You get to see all the games, and don't have to take a hit on a single one, so of course you would be ignorant to the "oppression" and "strain" that regular fans feel. You are living in a gilded bubble.

It cost me $800 to bring my wife and two kids to see the Leafs play, in what I would guess was an average seat. Now, I would have thought a $200 ticket would get me centre-ice against the glass for the playoffs, not a ticket thirty rows up in the corner for a regular season game.

Face it Damien: you don't feel the strain of the ticket price, 'cos you get in for free. Walk in MY shoes for one game, and see how quickly you change your tune. You don't realize that hockey-mad young boys on my block will never see a Leaf game because those tickets are the exclusive preserve of Bay Street fatcats, priced waaaaay beyond the affordability of grassroots hockey supporters.

[Selfish-Overrated-Mats-Rent-a-Player-BUST! aka Door Mats]

Damien - we are all surprised no sportswriter, not even you, asked Balsillie about why he wants to use public money to rebuild or build an arena in Hamilton or if he would go it alone if that was the condition. Why won't journalists ask relevant or even patently obvious questions! At least, ask JB next time around! Geezus! Must we write down every question for you??

FYI, you should know better. The people who own the Leafs are a disgusting cabal of a####### who are content to give the fans another generation of terrible teams (and management!) as long as they make money. They have a monopoly they don't deserve. They are too comfortable and as result, SOMEONE has to shake things up and take some risks to remove those entrenched hockey geniuses.