Coyotes co-Owner Wayne Gretzky said that he is "very
anxious to be involved" in the team's "crucial personnel
decisions," but the sale of the team from outgoing Owner
Richard Burke to Steve Ellman remains "at issue," according
to Keith Gave of CBS SportsLine. Gretzky: "I think
everybody is probably a little frustrated. But I'm learning
that the reality is that these things take time. You just
don't go out and buy a hockey team and take it over the next
day. ... We're looking at a $500-600 million deal. Even
though we bought the team, we're in a holding pattern."
Gave adds that after "day-long" meetings Friday between
Ellman and Burke, and more negotiations scheduled with
Gretzky, Gretzky is "optimistic the deal could be
consummated in time for the new owners to have their say on
decisions that will dramatically affect the coming season."
Gretzky: "It'll happen. It's just a matter of putting the
finishing touches together. It's not unreasonable to say it
couldn't happen in the next three or four weeks." Gretzky
will play a large role on the hockey side of the team when a
deal is done: "I'll have a lot of say in things, let's put
it that way. I'll be front and center in terms of putting
together the whole organization" (CBS SportsLine, 7/24).
