The "three-way battle" between Rockets Owner Leslie
Alexander, IHL Aeros Owner Chuck Watson and "darkhorse candidate"
Gavin Maloof to bring an NHL expansion franchise to Houston, is
examined by Fran Blinebury of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Blinebury:
"There is suddenly a bull market for ice hockey on the bayous.
... Who would ever have believed the day would come when there
were more parties actively trying to bring the National Hockey
League than the National Football League to Houston?" Blinebury
notes the NHL is seen as a "worthwhile play" for an investor
because of "rising TV ratings and a marketing plan that has taken
its cue from ... the NBA." However, Blinebury wonders whether
Alexander's bid for a team is only a "retaliatory shot across the
bow" of Watson in an attempt to "raise the stakes in the poker
game" they are playing in negotiations for a new downtown arena.
Blinebury adds that even if Alexander is not "bluffing" in his
attempt to win a team, he may be "underestimating" the "friendly
rivalry" that has developed between NBA Commissioner David Stern
and his former General Counsel NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Blinebury: "Sources say that Bettman works relentlessly to prove
that he is more than just 'Stern Jr.' And by giving his support
to Watson, who has far deeper pockets than Alexander, Bettman
would be making a statement" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/18).
