Bettman, Daly Submit To Questioning Regarding Coyotes Bidding

Daly (l), Bettman (r) Will Be Questioned By  Lawyers For Coyotes Owner Jerry Moyes

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly "have agreed to submit to questioning about whether they have interfered in the bidding" for the Coyotes, according to Paul Waldie of the GLOBE & MAIL. Attorneys for Bettman and Daly yesterday "reached an agreement" with reps for Coyotes Owner Jerry Moyes, who has been "pushing for the court-supervised examinations." Bettman and Daly "will be questioned in New York by lawyers for Moyes," though U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Redfield Baum said that he "may participate as well." Baum "rejected similar requests from Moyes to examine" White Sox and Bulls Chair Jerry Reinsdorf, saying that he "did not want to discourage bidders who have until July 24 to make an offer." Moyes in court filings has alleged that NHL officials "have blocked other potential bidders from coming forward," citing a "recent comment by Daly in a media interview in which he said the others had 'coalesced' around a bid from" Reinsdorf. While the NHL has said that "three other groups are interested" in bidding for the Coyotes and keeping the team in Phoenix, Reinsdorf is the "only bidder to come forward." Meanwhile, lawyers for Coyotes Managing Partner & coach Wayne Gretzky said that they are "working out a deal with the City of Glendale about handing over various documents," as the city has "questioned the standing of Gretzky and Moyes as creditors" (GLOBE & MAIL, 7/14). In Phoenix, Carrie Watters reports Moyes has "agreed to provide Glendale data regarding the team's losses and his investments." Meanwhile, Glendale, which "financed and owns" the Coyotes' Jobing.com Arena, "agreed to provide Moyes some documents but declined to provide information on lease negotiations with bidders" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 7/14).

BUSINESS AS USUAL: In Toronto, Kevin McGran reports Baum yesterday allowed the Coyotes to release their exhibition schedule for the '09-10 season and to "pursue arbitration hearings" with C Daniel Winnik and LW Nigel Dawes, whose contract status "had become caught up in the fine print of U.S. bankruptcy law." Baum in a hearing said, "It's the Phoenix Coyotes until somebody says otherwise" (TORONTO STAR, 7/14).