NHL Owners, Governors Debate Possible Coyotes Relocation Fee

Value Of All Sports Franchises Could Increase If Balsillie Relocates Coyotes

PRICE IS RIGHT? In Montreal, Red Fisher writes if the NHL sets a $100M relocation fee, Balsillie “probably won’t even wait until the weekend to say he’s leaving the game” (Montreal GAZETTE, 6/10). However, the NATIONAL POST’s Bruce Arthur writes if the fee is set at $100M, Balsillie “should lunge for his chequebook and start writing as fast as he can.” The $100M fee, plus the $212.5M price tag for the team, “would be a bargain.” The league, though, “cannot be dumb enough to ask for that little.” If you are going to “sell the golden goose, you might want to get more than” a little over $3M per team (NATIONAL POST, 6/10). In Toronto, Steve Simmons writes if the NHL “wants to be rid of Balsillie, they could price the move so high that it will force him to pull out of the sale of the club.” On the other hand, the judge “may ask the league not only to come up with a price, but to come up with reasons for the price” (TORONTO SUN, 6/10). 

CAMPAIGN PROMISES: Balsillie's Make It Seven campaign, which is seeking a seventh NHL team for Canada, has signed three new corporate partners: Prime Restaurants, DeWalt Tools and FirstOntario Credit Union. The new sponsors join anchor partners Labatt Breweries and Home Hardware. Meanwhile, more than 155,000 fans have signed up to support the campaign at www.MakeItSeven.ca, and Balsillie yesterday released a new campaign song. Balsillie also has designated June 19 as Make It Seven Day in Canada (THE DAILY).

HOW IT ALL BEGAN: Yesterday’s hearing is only the latest in a long line of events in the Coyotes saga. View a comprehensive timeline of significant moments leading up to the franchise’s current court battle (THE DAILY).

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