The NHL Board of Governors approved the sale of the
Capitals to the group led by Ted Leonsis that includes Jon
Ledecky and Dick Patrick (NHL). In DC, Eric Fisher writes
that the three "did not address the NHL ownership before the
vote." Following the approval, Leonsis said, "We are in
this for the long haul. There is no [immediate] financial
pressure, but we intend to make money at this. And this is
an asset play." In order to devote more time to the
Capitals, Ledecky has cut the number of publicly-traded
companies of which he is a director from 10 to six
(WASHINGTON TIMES, 6/22). Also in DC, Thomas Heath writes
that Leonsis and Ledecky are scheduled to meet with an NBA
exec committee today to determine whether they may "purchase
a minority share in the Wizards" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/22).
A NEW CREASE ON LIFE: The NHL Board of Governors also
decided on several rules changes, effective at the start of
the upcoming season. Restrictions on players in the crease
will be eased, no instant replay will be used on disputed
goals, and each team will receive at least one point for
playing in overtime, during which a four-on-four format will
be implemented (Mult., 6/22). FSN's Keith Olbermann, on the
Board of Governors' rule changes: "They declined to make it
illegal to put my head on the boards. Sorry" (FSN, 6/21).
THE YEAR IN REVIEW: In L.A., Helene Elliott writes on
the NHL's Stanley Cup Finals: "For every two steps forward,
the NHL seems to take a step back." Elliott: "It got the
long, dramatic finals it craved ... only to see the final
end in a cloud of controversy. The damage to its
credibility won't be easily repaired" (L.A. TIMES, 6/22).
