NHL and Balsillie Prepare Their Bids as Auction Nears

Court proceedings continued today as both sides stated their arguments in favor of a sale to either bidder for control of the Phoenix Coyotes. It was a testy affair, as lawyers threw jabs at the other side in a constant effort to discredit their counterpart.

One of the more talked about statements from the day came when one of the NHL’s lawyers said, “There are more hockey fans in the U.S. than the entire population of Canada.” Unsure of the validity of that claim, but it’s a bold one.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman took the stand to face questions regarding the NHL’s bid. Balsillie’s lawyers argue that the NHL knew it was going to place a bid on the team long before making the announcement, in effect blocking other bids from happening. They also stated that the NHL has fought the sale to Balsillie because of a personal dislike, and not anything business or hockey related. The fact that the NHL admits a relocation to Hamilton would in fact be profitable doesn’t serve to help their side much.

Balsillie’s lawyers claim that the NHL wants to do the same thing he does: purchase the Coyotes and relocate them to somewhere more feasible for hockey. The NHL doesn’t want Balsillie to own the team and instead wants to sell the team to the ownership group of their choice, which violates the contractual agreement franchises have with the team.

Court will reconvene at 5 p.m. EST, at which time good faith will be argued followed by the auction for the Coyotes. Judge Baum still says that there is a good chance neither bid will be accepted, and that he will not be making a decision on the case today and not to expect one before September 21.