NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman yesterday "explained in hypothetical terms that there are pitfalls" to having two teams in one market, "especially in Toronto," according to Stephen Whyno of the AP. Bettman in an interview with "Hockey Night In Canada" host George Stroumboulopoulos said, "If we decided that we were putting a second team in Ontario, and the year the team was supposed to start, the Leafs won the Cup, that second team wouldn't exist. When you have historically established teams with great histories and traditions, the second team -- even if the first team isn't having tremendous success at the time, the second team will never quite get the premier coverage" (AP, 9/22). In Toronto, Mike Zeisberger writes Bettman's point "is clear." The "additional attention the Rangers get over the Islanders and Devils or, for that matter, the Yankees over the Mets, are two examples, in the New York area alone, of the imbalances that take place in multi-team markets." Bettman's comments came on the same day as a report in which Hurricanes Owner Peter Karmanos Jr. said that a second Toronto-area team "would encounter significant obstacles." Karmanos: "You can’t guarantee that you’d be a revenue contributor in Toronto. History has always shown other teams haven’t been able to match up even in the biggest media market in North America." He added, "No matter what (the Giants and Dodgers) did they were second fiddle to the Yankees. Then you have the New York Islanders and Rangers. No matter what the Islanders do they are second fiddle to the Rangers. It’s why another team wouldn’t move to Detroit. Because short of winning the Stanley Cup you would never replace the Detroit Red Wings." Bettman said, "We're not looking to expand right now. No teams will be relocating. I know people think I have this list (of expansion teams) tucked away in a vault. I don't" (TORONTO SUN, 9/23).
LEAFS ARE FALLING ALL AROUND: In Toronto, Josh Rubin notes Bettman "bristled when asked if the league or its teams would be able to enforce territorial exclusivity" in the event of expansion. Bettman answered, "If you’re asking me what the vote is if we’re going to grant an expansion franchise? An expansion franchise is a three-quarters vote. Nobody has a veto." Rubin notes the Maple Leafs have "long fought against the idea of a second NHL team in the GTA, or anywhere in southern Ontario for that matter" (TORONTO STAR, 9/23).
