Balsillie vs Bettman Round ????

The truth is, I admire Jim Balsillie.

The multi-billionaire just pledged 30 million of his own money to the city of Hamilton/Copps Coliseum if he were awarded the Pheonix Coyotes, and Gary Bettman refuses to awknowledge Balissile as a potential suitor for any franchise.

How many of todays owners would be willing to offer up that much money out of their very own (albeit, deep) pockets. In an economy like this, no many. They're trying to unload their teams (*I'm talking to you Mr. Gillett*)

When you have a dream, you go after it anyway you can. And I admire Balsillie for his tenacity. If he's awarded the franchise, which isnt very likely, you have to wonder how he will be recieved by the 29 other owners in the Big Boys Club.


Jim Balsillie isn't exactly following NHL rules in his attempt to own and NHL franchise, but the fact of the matter is is that he has been given no other choice. Twice, arguably three times (if we're to consider the one day story out of La Presse that had Balsille buying the Canadiens), the Blackberry billionaire has attempted to buy a franchise. Each time, Gary No-Way-Not-In-Canada Bettman stopped the deals from going through. But Mr. Balsillie has a dream, and he's going for it. We're always told as children to follow our dreams, but when you've got a road-block like Bettman in the way, you have no other choice but to play dirty.

And thats just what Balsillie did.

He snuck around the regular rules, came up with a plan with Coyotes "majority" (so we're told to think) owner Jerry Moyes, and the rest is history. He beat the NHL at their own game (so far), and unfortunately (for us fans) it's not hockey, its business. What will transpire in the Arizona courts will ultimately decide everyones fate. But you can be sure that if Moyes is seen as still in control and eligible to make major business decisions, you'd be hard pressed to find another business man stupid enough (or smart enough?) to pay nearly double what the franchise is actually worth. Ultimately, that would award Balsillie the franchise, and a potential move to Hamilton.

If only Gary Bettman could understand hockey a little better. He's a good business man, but he doesnt seem to be a good hockey business man. You have a floundering franchise, in a city where tumbleweeds tumble across the ice between periods, where not even free food and free parking can help you sell out Jobing.com arena. Explain to me again, Mr. Bettman, why the city of Hamilton, who sold nearly 2000 potential season tickets a year ago, should not be awarded a franchise? Why should the NHL have to keep pummeling money into the Coyotes, paying The Great One 7 million a year to coach, when you have someone who's willing to do it for you?

So while everyone is swirling around with questions about whats going to happen, who will be awarded the franchise, where they'll end up playing... all I can think about is whether if Balsillie is awarded a franchise, what happens to the players who have iPhones?