Prospective Coyotes co-Owner Wayne Gretzky "was denied"
access to the team's locker room by outgoing Owner Richard
Burke and GM Bobby Smith following yesterday's preseason
game against the Kings at America West Arena, according to
Bob McManaman of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Gretzky watched the
game in a private suite with partner Steve Ellman. Gretzky
said he was "a little disappointed" by Burke's decision.
Burke, on refusing access: "Because they're [Ellman and
Gretzky] trying to pull stuff on me. They just need to get
on and about, get their deal done, and quit looking for
photo ops and being disruptive. This is just (expletive)
inexcusable. ... If they get their deal done, they can do
whatever they want. Until then ... no" (AZ REPUBLIC, 9/15).
OPEN AND SHUT CASE? Meanwhile, Chip Scutari writes that
Ellman "refused to open his books or show his net worth" to
Scottsdale city execs "to prove he has the financial juice"
to build a new 17,500-seat arena. Ellman also told the city
that his Ellman Cos. "is entitled to all the income" from
the project. Scottsdale City Manager Jan Dolan: "We have
not agreed to Ellman keeping all of the revenue streams.
Everything is on the table." But Ellman Senior VP Bob
Kaufman said the company has invested "more than" $30M into
this project: "We're keeping all the event-generated
revenues to help support the franchise" (AZ REPUBLIC, 9/15).
