Why Doesn't Bettman Want Another Ontario Team?
The Commissioner of the NHL Wants the Team to Remain in Phoenix
Gary Bettman has been criticized before for many reasons. Although he has increased revenue during his tenure as commissioner, the Queens, New York native has received much criticism for attempting to keep teams in the States, regardless of their success. He was also responsible for two lockouts, including the 2004-2005 lockout that prevented a National Hockey League season.
The Battle with Balsillie
Since 2006, Bettman has had a feud with Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie. Balsillie was attempting to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2006 from Mario Lemieux and company. Although he never explicitly said that he wanted to the move the team to Canada, many expected this and in the end Balsillie withdrew his offer, after Bettman stated that the purchase would only be allowed if Balsillie kept the team in Pittsburgh and in addition, gave the National Hockey League the right to take over the team if they so pleased.
In 2007, it was the Nashville Predators. Balsillie this time said right off the bat that his intention was to move the team to Hamilton, Ontario and as soon as possible. There are many American teams that are quite successful on the ice, like the Predators, but often they have low attendance despite their excellent seasons. Cities such as these are not hockey areas or areas where large revenue or fan bases will be generated. Balsillie noticed this and thus wanted to bring a team to Hamilton, a hockey crazy city just outside of Toronto. Craig Leipold, the then-owner of the Predators re-considered selling it to the Canadian, and decided to sell it to William DelBiaggio, even though his offer was significantly less then Balsillie’s.
The New Target
Almost two years after his last attempted purchase of an NHL team, Balsillie is back on the market. His target this time is the Phoenix Coyotes. The team filed for bankruptcy and Balsillie made an offer of $212.5 million. A few hours later the NHL, led by Gary Bettman, removed current owner Jerry Moyes of all decision making and assumed control of the team. This control includes when and who they would allow to purchase the franchise.
To prove that Southern Ontarians want a team, Balsillie posted a website that collects signatures of those in favour of relocating the team. This online community has contributed to the fan base that wants another professional hockey team in the Southern Ontario region.
So why not, Gary? It is clear that a team is wanted in Southern Ontario. The fan base is there, the money is there and the team will actually have supporters. Instead of having many teams failing to attract fans even when they’re succeeding, isn’t it better to have teams earn money and have a large fan base? It has been said that Bettman's motivation is generating money and not the love of the game. What he’s doing right now though is neither. There are fans that love the game and who will contribute financially, but it seems that Bettman is too stubborn to recognize the fact that hockey needs Canada, many American fans can do without it and a seventh Canadian team will only help the NHL.
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