NHL Rejects Balsillie's Call For Mediation In Coyotes Case

Balsillie's Relocation Application Too Complicated For Deadline?

The NHL “has rejected” RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie’s request for mediation over the purchase of the Coyotes and his “request to open a September auction for the team to all bidders, including those who wish to move the team,” according to David Shoalts of the GLOBE & MAIL. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in an e-mail, “Our position has been and remains that there is nothing to mediate at this point in time. It’s premature.” Bankruptcy court Judge Redfield Baum is “expected to hold a hearing [today] on all of the auction proposals.” Daly said that the NHL “will continue to work on bids from those willing to keep the team in Glendale.” Daly: “We have always advocated a two-stage sale/auction process, with efforts being made to sell the club locally first. That continues to be our position.” Daly added that there “may be too many steps in the league’s process” for Balsillie’s relocation application to be dealt with by July 31. Daly said that it “has not even been determined if the NHL’s [BOG] is willing to waive its Jan. 1 deadline for relocation applications in the same calendar year” (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/20). Follow today's hearing on SBJ/SBD's Twitter Page.

PLAYERS WANT A SAY: The GLOBE & MAIL’s Eric Duhatschek noted the “stability and financial future of the Phoenix Coyotes was one of several topics discussed by members” of the NHLPA on Friday at its annual summer meetings for North American Players, and NHLPA Dir of Player Affairs Glenn Healy said that there is “frustration that they have no say in the matter.” Healy: “You need to have leverage and rights before you can take a position. We have no ability to dictate anything. We were told in September that the team was okay. We were told in February that the team was okay.” Duhatschek noted under the current CBA, the players receive about 56% of the NHL's gross revenues, so a “money-losing operation such as the Coyotes negatively affects the overall revenue pie.” Healy: “My approach was, we’ve got some of the best stuff going on, on the ice, in a long time. The problem is, we’ve taken the game from the sports page to the business page, and the quicker we can get it off the business page, the better it is” (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/20).

RALLYING THE TROOPS: In Hamilton, Ken Peters reported an estimated 3,500 fans attended a rally at the Jackson Square rooftop plaza in Hamilton on Friday in support of Balsillie’s bid for the Coyotes. The rally was tied to Balsillie’s Make It Seven Day, and the crowd at times broke into “Thank you Jim" chants. Balsillie did not attend the rally, but spokesperson Bill Walker read a letter from him (HAMILTON SPECTATOR, 6/20).