N.Y. State Supreme Justice Herman Cahn ruled that
Columbus Hockey Limited (CHL), which bid unsuccessfully to
establish a pro hockey team in Columbus, OH, "may proceed
with a lawsuit against the NHL," according to Samuel Maull
of the AP. Cahn said that CHL, led by Lamar Hunt, "could
pursue damages against the NHL for alleged breach of
contract and alleged breach of duty of good faith and fair
dealing." CHL has sued the league and Nationwide Insurance
for "their alleged roles in helping" a rival group led by
John McConnell win a franchise for Columbus. Cahn "agreed
with the CHL that a contract was formed when the NHL
accepted CHL's application and $100,000 application fee,"
which included a "promised refusal" to accept any other
franchise applications after the November 1, 1996 deadline.
The CHL alleges the NHL breached the contract by accepting
an application from the McConnell group "seven months"
later. The NHL "argued that franchises were awarded at its
discretion and that it need not give a reason for rejecting
an application." CHL's "other allegations against the NHL,
including inference with business relations between Hunt
Sports and CHL members ... were dismissed by Cahn." Cahn
also dismissed CHL's allegations that Nationwide "interfered
with business relations between the CHL and NHL and with
contractual relations among other CHL members" (AP, 9/12).
RAVES FOR BETTMAN: In Calgary, George Gross profiled
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and wrote that Bettman is
"often compared" to NBA Commissioner David Stern with "some
of his critics suggesting that he's a clone of the NBA
commissioner and consults with Stern on major issues."
Bettman: "I'm my own man. I worked with David for 12 years,
but now we're competitors. David is 10 years older and
perceived to be the most successful commissioner in sports.
If the comparison with him is favorable, I feel flattered.
But let it be known that I run the NHL to the best of my
ability and on my own terms." Gross: "For my money, Gary
Bettman is a top CEO, backed by a personally-selected and
talented group of executives. Canadians can take comfort
that the NHL is in good hands" (CALGARY SUN, 9/13).
