New Group Plans To Pursue Toronto NHL Expansion Team, Arena

Lopez Unveils Plans For Expansion NHL Franchise In Toronto

NEWS TO THE LEAGUE: The NHL said that it "isn't considering expansion and was not aware of Mr. Lopez's hopes to bring a second team to Toronto." Daly said in an e-mail, "We are not aware of their plans. Most expressions of interest we receive are generally communicated to us privately. It's apparent that this group is taking an alternative approach." The GLOBE & MAIL's Wingrove & Grange note the NHL "will be in court next week to hear" whether RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie's plan to purchase the Coyotes and move them to Hamilton will be approved by U.S. bankruptcy judge Redfield Baum, which the league is fighting. But Lopez "sees the pending court decision as separate from his pitch" (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/5). Meanwhile, Sussex Strategy Group President Paul Pellegrini is denying that he and his organization are directly associated with the proposal. A press release states Pellegrini was approached by Lopez to gauge his interest, to which Pellegrini noted his firm "would be interested to consider providing counsel." However, he denies committing to "any direct association or affiliation" (THE DAILY).

PLAYING NICE WITH OTHERS: In Toronto, Steve Simmons writes, "You would think people would learn by now: If you want to play in the NHL, you have to play nice with the NHL. That isn't so hard. That isn't so complicated. If you want an expansion franchise, even if the league hasn't announced any plans at all to expand, the least you should do is meet with commissioner Gary Bettman or [Daly] and inform them of your plans." Simmons adds, "You may not like Bettman, but you have to respect him or at least respect how he wants his business done. And you have to respect the timing of conducting that business." All those factors combine make the group "irrelevant before they even begin" (TORONTO SUN, 6/5).

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