NHL Suspends Ducks Owner Henry Samueli Indefinitely

NHL Suspends Samueli Indefinitely Following Guilty Plea In Broadcom Case

OWNERSHIP IMPACT: Schulman said that there is "no expectation that the suspension of Samueli will lead to a change in ownership of the Ducks, nor should the suspension have any effect on the club's day-to-day operations." In California, Dan Wood reports should Schulman "determine that the Ducks need financial assistance from ownership or raise any other issue that might require ownership involvement, he is to apprise [NHL Commissioner Gary] Bettman, who would make 'appropriate' arrangements." The NHL said that the Samuelis during the suspension will be allowed to attend Ducks games. Schulman added that the suspension "will have no effect on how [Ducks Exec VP & GM Brian] Burke runs the team or his future" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 6/25). The NHL in '02 made then-Sabres Owner John Rigas cede control of the team because Rigas was facing "bank, wire and securities fraud involving his family's firm, Adelphia Corp." When asked if the league could force Samueli to relinquish control of the Ducks, Schulman said, "There's always a possibility." But Schulman added, "In our understanding of what the NHL is doing, it's only a suspension and that we do not expect that at all" (L.A. TIMES, 6/25). An NHL source indicated that it would be "doubtful the league would compel" Samueli to sell the Ducks (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/25). But in Toronto, Rick Westhead writes speculation is "brewing among NHL executives about whether Samueli will be forced out permanently." One NHL exec said that the league "might argue his conviction doesn't merit that" since former Maple Leafs Owner Harold Ballard in '72 was "convicted of fraud and theft involving Maple Leafs Garden Ltd., then a public company," but was allowed to retain his stake in the team (TORONTO STAR, 6/25).

Freeman Says Del Biaggio's Legal Woes Will Not Affect Predators Operations

SIGN OF THINGS TO COME? Also in Nashville, John Glennon wrote under the header, "Signings Put Predators On Track." It is "hard to be doing cartwheels when there's that little matter of bankruptcy court," but "give the Predators their due." The team has said that Del Biaggio and his "empty pockets wouldn't impact day-to-day operations." Glennon: "What better way to prove that than by signing three key players to contracts totaling $31[M], which is what the organization has done in the past week alone?" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 6/24).

Print This Article