Jim Balsillie and the Phoenix Coyotes

Published May 6, 2009 @ 11:06 in Sports

NHLJim Balsillie has lots of money, wants to own an NHL team and wants to move it to southern Ontario. That same Jim Balsillie confirmed Tuesday that he has offered to pay $212.5 million US to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes on the condition that the bankrupt team relocate to southern Ontario. That's deserving of another entry alongside this one about his team in Cambridge and this one about his team in Hamilton.

I was listening to The Fan 590 when Bob McCown broke the news, and that prompted this tweet. The Coyotes moving to southern Ontario makes so much sense I can't see it happening. Maybe it's the natural once bitten (in this case, twice bitten), twice shy reaction.

Balsillie's not naming specific city names, so I'm going to guess he's looking at Vaughn, the city above Toronto. Can this happen?

18 Responses to "Jim Balsillie and the Phoenix Coyotes"

Buffalo Boy Mike
May 6, 2009 / 12:22

Why Ontario though? Whats wrong with moving them back to where they belong, Winnipeg?

Roshan
May 6, 2009 / 13:12

Exactly - where they belong! The franchise belongs in Winnipeg and I wish that Balsillie will consider taking them back home.

Toronto Mike
May 6, 2009 / 13:34

Isn't the issue corporate support? I'm sure the fans will support the Jets, but if you need corporate support, you're far better off in Southern Ontario.

Al
May 6, 2009 / 14:06

No worries folks, there will be plenty of franchises to go around. Enough to put two more in Ontario (Vaughan & K&W) one back in Winnipeg and one in Quebec City. Heck, let's throw one in Regina and Halifax while we're at it! I'd love to see it, but as like as Gary "Napolean" Betman is the commish he'll do everything to stop it. http://www.firebettman.com/ Canadian cities will support the franchises, especially now with salary caps so I say, bring them home!

James Edgar
May 6, 2009 / 14:09

They may belong in Winnipeg but Winnipeg will have to find someone rich who gives a dam about Winnipeg. Balsillie loves southern Ontario so he wants a team here.
I think that Bettman won't allow it to happen. I also think I could be the issue that ends Bettmans career as Commissioner. The other owners won't want to pay for Phoenix forever so moving to a viable market makes sense. That's southern Ontario. Also the franchise folding could hurt the other teams values selling a failing team for $212 Million helps values. Even the stupidist owners should see that.

I hope they do move.

Horonymous
May 6, 2009 / 14:37

Winnipeg, Halifax, Regina, Quebec City are tiny markets with pockets too shallow.

There are more people in between the triangle of Hamilton, Kitchener & Mississauga that all of the aforementioned cities combined.

Betman doesn't care about Canada and I'm starting to think he doesn't care about hockey either.

Argie
May 6, 2009 / 14:41

Balsillie live in the K-W area. Why in hell would he move the team to Winter-peg? Along with being miserably cold and desolate, he would have to fly to see home games. It wont happen - the team is coming to the GTA.

Toronto Mike
May 6, 2009 / 14:49

I just read an article that quotes Gary Bettman as saying "We don't run out on cities".

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/05/06/sp-bettman-balsillie.html

This is true, if you exclude Winnipeg, Quebec City, Hartford...

Anonymous
May 6, 2009 / 16:00

You're right Mike. Bettman will do all the arm twisting behind closed doors to make sure Balsillie never gets control of an NHL franchise.

He'd rather keep a team where they can't sell tickets. He's a real moron.

Buffalo Boy Mike
May 6, 2009 / 16:44

Toronto and Buffalo will balk at any team moving to Hamilton.

Toronto Mike
May 6, 2009 / 16:50

They'll just have to pay up to play in that space.

Tee
May 6, 2009 / 18:49

If this thing goes to bankruptcy court, there isn't whole lot Bettman can do to stop Balsillie.

Babs
May 8, 2009 / 00:22

I thought Vaughn was iffy because it encroached upon the Leafs' Territory. There was a diagram about that in the National Post today. It's the same issue plaguing Hamilton. I agree, they should take them back to Winnipeg. I'm fairly sure they'll change the name though. The Coyotes were formerly the Jets, after all.

Personally however, I'd prefer it if they kept the Coyotes name. But then, I'm a furry so that's only natural. :)

Norman
May 9, 2009 / 12:37

It's about time Canada took back it's national game. The US took it from us in the late 1960s and have had us grovelling to the New York brass ever since.

Forget the procedures as some hypocritical HNIC advocate has stated. This is the time for real patriots of this country and its culture stood behind Balsillie.

Forget the patriotic garble about our fallen military (which should never be in Afghanistan). Fight for another team in Canada--and get it.

Ask Don Cherry who the real chicken are.

Jim
May 10, 2009 / 08:44

Winnipeg? Not a chance. It has already failed once. Vaughan? Too many ethnic residents who couldn't care less about Hockey. There is only one real location-HAMILTON. Toronto won't like it though because it would cut into their market. Same old HOGTOWN... Move over TO, we're gonna show you how to WIN!!!

Terry
May 21, 2009 / 01:01

... Winnipeg lost the jets in 1996, its 2009, thats 13 years ago, the city has changed, Manitoba's economy is one of the most stable in the country. Also, Winnipeg has the number 1 attendance in the AHL.

ken
August 7, 2009 / 11:19

Hamilton want's an NHL team and Jim Balsillie want's to buy one and put them in Hamilton.What is the reason that this is being very hard to do.

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