Dear Mr. Bettman:
Why not?
It's a simple question being asked by Canadian hockey fans like me. The nation that has the deepest roots and passion for the game of hockey, wants to know why can't we bring a seventh Canadian NHL hockey team to southern Ontario?
The NHL has already approved Mr. Balsillie as an NHL owner and in his ruling yesterday Judge Redfield T. Baum recognized that he is an approved NHL owner.
It is clear that Hamilton remains the best location for the Coyotes versus letting it wither in the desert. So why not?
In his ruling Judge Baum also encouraged the NHL and Jim Balsillie to sit down together in mediation to determine what a fair and reasonable relocation fee would be. Mr. Balsillie has said he's willing to participate in mediation. So why not?
We love this game and we know you do too. It's time for discussion. It's time to Make It Seven.
Why Not?
Sincerely a dedicated Canadian hockey fan.
from an e-mail from makeitseven.ca that they encourage fans to send to Bettman. Something tells me his spam filter will filter this out.
almost 3 years ago
furcifer
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This crass attempt
at fabricating a nationalistic desire around a commercial endeavor disgusts me.
Dear Mr RIM-job
If you want a franchise. Play ball with the league.
Signed,
Uninterested and annoyed hockey fans at large.
If you don't like your job, you don't strike! You just go in every day, and do it really half assed. That's the American way. - Homer
The Left Coast Lock
by blurr1974 on Jun 17, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions
I don’t get why they make it a national thing. It’s not like all canadians would root for that team
Как же так может быть?
Also it’s not like all Canadians even support moving the Coyotes.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
I don’t agree with the whole nationalism appeal, but to try and put it in perspective:
Imagine if, instead of the Expos being relocated to an D.C. the mlb decided that it would be more advantageous to put them in oh say, Fredericton N.B. I get the feeling that would irk a whole lot of American baseball fans regardless of whether or not they would cheer for the team. The league as a whole benefits when there is a loyal and interested fan-base surrounding each of its teams.
I know its apples and oranges, but the same principle applies, I think.
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 17, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions
Hmm…they already tried that
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
The U.S. gov’t tried to stop Toronto from getting an MLB team before Washington.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
Also the San Francisco Giants didn’t move to Toronto because of a “contract” similar circumstances to what Phoenix has with the city Glendale.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
Gerald Ford
Man, that guy was a complete screw-up.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Nice to meet you Homer, do you like beer? Do you like nachos? Do you like football?
Not his fault though, no-one ever elected him, to anything, ever.
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 17, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Personally, I’ve never found being elected all that essential to the process.
"If this is another one of your lectures about how we should all blah blah blah and whatever, well you can save it because we all know it by heart."
it was a good Republican body, flabby, riddled with phlebitis .
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 17, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
This whole
nationalistic appeal is really dividing American and Canadian hockey fans, its doing nothing but hurting the game
I’m not on Bettman’s side but it absolutely infuriates me as to how Balsillie is trying to play this out, I have friends who reside in Hamilton that I met while attending university there labeling me a traitor and accusing me of not being a “real” Canadian hockey fan just because I refuse to take any sides in this debate. Its like frigging Bush’s “you’re either with us or you’re against us” comment, my friends are all “you’re either with Balsillie or you’re against all of Canada” on this issue.
Seriously, a few of them have even gone as far as trading in their phones for fucking Blackberry’s and are hailing Balsillie as their new “god” (I’m not even joking, they literally are calling him a god).
What. The. Fuck.
Its too bad really, because I honestly believe that the real issue is being missed, a lot of the reaction and support that Balsillie is getting are more really pent-up feelings of anger and bitterness at Bettman in general and Balsillie is using himself and this bullshit PR move as a funnel to let it all out.
"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
Seriously, a few of them have even gone as far as trading in their phones for fucking Blackberry’s
Man, you need smarter friends.
You know what would make this Make It Seven campaign actually worth supporting as a Canadian? If it was for a seventh team regardless of how it got there. Maybe his PR people need to be refreshed but that seems like something I could get behind.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Well they are life-long Hamiltonians or from the Niagara region who, while are not Leaf fans, do not hate the Leafs either BUT for them, getting an NHL franchise in Hamilton has been their Holy Grail and that is why they worship the very ground that Balsillie walks on.
"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
I’m shocked and stunned they skipped the internet petition stage and jumped right to the form email.
Bitter Leaf Fan: a life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...
That’s obviously because the form e-mail has a much higher track record of success than the internet petition.
/rolls eyes like a slot machine.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Did they even proof-read this? Statements ending in question marks, capitalization where there shouldn’t be, lack of capitalization where they should be etc.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
since Balsillie is God all Hs should be capital H.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
It’s a pretty soft nationalism appeal, really. Plus, I’ve heard dickhead hockey fans in the NE US opine that Vancouver isn’t deserving of an NHL franchise either. Anyplace that has the fanbase potential and corporate support that can create a strong, financially viable franchise deserves a shot. The whole “it doesn’t snow there!” angle is meaningless.
Personally I have no issues with the franchise being moved as long as it is something that makes the league as a whole stronger. Keeping them in Phoenix or what I bet will happen, moving them to Vegas, will not make the league stronger. It bugs me to think there will be this ongoing will-it-die-wont-it-die farce, and if that is the main news item about NHL hockey played in the states it reflects very poorly on the league.
I’ve been on the losing side of relocation too, I was thrilled when Vancouver got an NBA franchise. I went to games, I supported the team despite its awfulness and was really bummed when they pulled out without a by your leave. But, it’s business.
Plus, I’ve heard dickhead hockey fans in the NE US opine that Vancouver isn’t deserving of an NHL franchise either.
Sounds like they know what they’re talking about ;)
It’s a tough situation because there is so much I am glad to see and so much I am angry to see.
I am not against folding/moving teams. What I am against is a rich guy taking actions that served no purpose other than to get what he wanted when he wanted. However, I am glad to see the details about the trouble that the franchise is in come out into the light of day. Then again, I do not like that Balsillie did something that deep down he must have known would not succeed and as a result has likely put the final nail in the Coyotes’ coffin. Good luck selling tickets and sponsorship this year just like the Jets couldn’t do it when it was clear that there probably was no saviour coming.
Plus, this is giving the league a black eye. Sure, the NBA had the Sonics and the Grizzlies move and a tonne of teams basically give up this season and the next in order for a lottery ticket in 2010 but is that the dominant story about that league? No. Part of that is ESPN’s lack of monetary incentive in building the NHL (thanks for choosing Versus Bettman!), part of that is that Bettman had to play Bagdhad Bob instead of talking to us like adults, and part of that is that Balsillie has made this a circus.
I’ve been on the losing side of relocation too, I was thrilled when Vancouver got an NBA franchise. I went to games, I supported the team despite its awfulness and was really bummed when they pulled out without a by your leave. But, it’s business.
Now you guys might get the Indiana Pacers. Interesting to note too that Stern called that move a big mistake.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
NBA is gonna try again in Vancouver? No wai!
I haven’t watched much NBA since the Suns got jobbed in the western finals that year. Officiating in that league makes the NHL look fantastic.
My take on Balsillie is probably a lot more favourable than most people here. Sure, he seems a bit brash and arrogant, but I think he’s probably the type of owner you would really want for your team. But then, I like Mark Cuban too..
by LeafFanInVan on Jun 17, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Balsillie said he tried the “front door” and there wasn’t one so now he’s tried to break into the house. Whether or not he’ll be a good tenant or not doesn’t matter. He still ask to ask the landlord for permission.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
He still ask has
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
Well, I can certainly see why a group of leafs fans would side with a shadowy cabal of billionaire investors and their dickheaded commissioner over a rogue billionaire who wants in.. Wait, what?
by LeafFanInVan on Jun 17, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
say what you will
but the fact that the commissioner is committed to making a team work in a city that has the populace to support it is rare in professional sports.
Bettman is to be commended for wanting to see a stable franchise in every NHL market, and pulling out all the stops (sometimes to his detriment i.e. – Nashville and the “Boots” fiasco) to make it happen. When Vancouver ownership was in trouble, who do you think was working the phones to find a new group? One that would keep the team in Vancouver. Same story for the Oilers, Ottawa and Buffalo. Now, ask the question, why wasn’t that side reported on…? Because hating Gary sells papers. plain and simple.
This isn’t an “Us vs. Them” issue. I can not stand Gary Bettman for a myriad of issues plaguing the game, for his complete fumbling of the NHL on ESPN contract and for being commish through not one, but two lock outs.
However, I can see clearly enough to give him his kudos on this one.
If you don't like your job, you don't strike! You just go in every day, and do it really half assed. That's the American way. - Homer
The Left Coast Lock
by blurr1974 on Jun 17, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t buy that the commissioner is in any way committed to Phoenix, I will not be surprised in the slightest when they get moved to Las Vegas or Kansas City. It’s probably more that Bettman just doesn’t want the team moved to southern Ontario than any loyalty to the city of Phoenix.
If Phoenix can make a go of it and become a stable franchise that doesn’t lose buckets of cash that is fantastic. I’d love to see a well researched business plan that shows this is possible. What I don’t want is seeing this saga stretch out over months, years that has a southern US franchise limping along, giving more ammo to the “hockey doesn’t belong there” crowd.
by LeafFanInVan on Jun 17, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Bettman, despite the media’s efforts to portray him as such, is not a tinpot dictator. He cannot decide league policy willy nilly and is subject to the B of G. If the NHL finds that the Phoenix franchise is not viable in the future they may indeed choose to move it to Las Vegas or Kansas (Why they would choose either of those citiies is beyond me) and it is their prerogative to do so. Like you said, it’s a business.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
I love Mark Cuban and I love Balsillie which is why I want the league to tell him that he’s getting the next team that is allowed to move or an expansion franchise but I don’t like the sense of entitlement that he has.
That’s what I hate, the NBA is a shittier league by a mile but all we hear about is the NHL being a Mickey Mouse league.
Yeah, Andrew Bucholtz wrote a piece about the possibility of Aquilini buying the Pacers.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
I don’t think the NBA could ever return to Vancouver. For one, it’s not really a sports oriented town, and for another, it’s ridiculously hard convincing primadonna basketballers to come up to Toronto even. Vancouver would be their version of siberia. The whole Steve Francis thing sickened me. That was one of the many knives in the gut of the franchise.
by LeafFanInVan on Jun 17, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
The whole Steve Francis thing sickened me. That was one of the many knives in the gut of the franchise.
Leagues should have rules about things like this to prevent them from happening. Imagine if every Tom, Dick, and Tavares decided to boycott Long Island.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Definitely. Unfortunately if the guy is just going to be a huge d-bag and not show up (physically or mentally) to whoever drafts him there’s not much that can be done.
I’m always impressed by guys like the US imports for CFL teams like the saskatchewan roughriders etc, you KNOW they want to play when they’re moving up to Regina for $50k/year or thereabouts.
by LeafFanInVan on Jun 17, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Those are the guys that just love the game which is why I appreciate the CFL.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Dear Mr. Balsillie:
Why?
It’s a simple question being asked by Canadian hockey fans like me. The nation that has the deepest roots and passion for the game of hockey wants to know why you’re insisting on making us all look like a bunch of possessive, excessively nationalistic toddlers who want what they want when they want it and don’t want anyone else to play in their sandbox?
The NHL hasn’t actually said you can’t have the team, just that you can’t go about it the way you are, and that you have to adhere to certain rules, and in his ruling Judge Redfield T. Baum recognized this.
It isn’t clear that Hamilton would be the best place for the Coyotes (though a bunch of signatures on a website which requires people to spend precisely ZERO dollars on tickets certainly does go a long way to proving it is) and a cursory look at the way Moyes ran the team in Pheonix could be a major reason for the withering in the dessert. So why?
In his ruling, Judge Baum also encouraged you and the NHL to site down together in mediation to determine a fair and reasonable solution. You keep saying you won’t pay any sort of relocation fee, and that you’re taking your ball and going home. Why?
We love this game, and allegedly you do to. It’s time to stop acting like a child and realize that just because you want something right now, doesn’t mean you get it. It’s time to stop making this a question of patriotism, because it isn’t one.
Why?
Sincerely,
A dedicated Canadian hockey fan
"If this is another one of your lectures about how we should all blah blah blah and whatever, well you can save it because we all know it by heart."
by Mabel on Jun 17, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 8 recs
Epic and rec’d
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
Thanks. I hate Balsillie for the mere fact that he’s making me side on something with Bettman. With Bettman! For that alone, he deserves to never have a team.
"If this is another one of your lectures about how we should all blah blah blah and whatever, well you can save it because we all know it by heart."
you know whats funny
my Hammer friends keep telling me that Balsillie played by the rules with trying to acquire the Pens and Preds and it didn’t work, so he has no choice but to go about this in his own way because if he tried to play by the rules with acquiring the Yotes he will never succeed
"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
If the Islanders can’t find an arena then that will be an interesting team for Balsillie to try for because he’s a) removing it from an area that doesn’t have a willingness for local ownership and b)moving from an area that doesn’t have an arena nor any plans/funds to build one. Both those conditions were what faced Quebec and Winnipeg. Pittsburgh had arena discussions ongoing at the time of the purchase offer and owners willing to keep the team there and both Nashville and Phoenix had arenas. Plus with the Islanders he’d be taking it away from a market that Bettman has said is overly saturated. I hope it doesn’t happen because I think a franchise with the history of the Island can be turned around but that’s the only franchise I can see him trying to move by playing by the rules.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
but
that would require Wang (huh-huh, I said “wang”) to sell.
I don’t recall that being the case. he’ll move if his hand is forced, but that doesn’t mean selling…
If you don't like your job, you don't strike! You just go in every day, and do it really half assed. That's the American way. - Homer
The Left Coast Lock
by blurr1974 on Jun 17, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Wang has said he regets buying the team. Whether that means he’s willing to move it to a new location and try to make money there or sell it and recoup his losses remains to be seen. I still think it has a future in Long Island if they can build that arena.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
i would be DEEPLY disturbed if the Islanders moved ANYWHERE.
A lot of history in that franchise, like the Dodgers and Giants. Ooops, bad example :(
If you don't like your job, you don't strike! You just go in every day, and do it really half assed. That's the American way. - Homer
The Left Coast Lock
by blurr1974 on Jun 17, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Save Us Them Tavares
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
If I had it my way I’d want an Eastern team (atlanta..cough..cough) to move to Winnipeg, become the Jets, and have Detroit move in to the Eastern Conference
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
SkinnyFish would appreciate that.
Talk about getting a better away schedule.
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 17, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
You got that right. I don’t really get excited for most of the Wings’ schedule. Now playing in the Eastern, that would be great.
Wings fan by birth. Leafs fan by empathetic association.
And you would get to play a lot more crappy teams. Talk about an inflated point total.
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 17, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Both Rim-boy and Bettman have to go.
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 17, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions
Wait.
So, either this is a Leafs fan who can’t afford tickets to the ACC (not the only one); or he/she doesn’t want to travel to Buffalo (fair enough). Or he/she really did take a different bus to school from all the other kids.
Either way, why the hell is he/she using ing up my bandwith with his/hers epically moronic crap?
Please go away, you tedious individual.
"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into Iraq"
- Major Mike Shearer
Are you answering as Bettman?
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
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