Gary Bettman's Act Wearing Thin: Phoenix Coyotes Debacle Eroding NHL's Integrity

With the news that the NHL Board of Governors has approved a bid by Major League Baseball's Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf hitting the papers this morning, I am left with a lot of questions for Mr. Bettman.

The obvious question: How did you sell the other owners on the idea of accepting an offer that was about $60 million less than that of Jim Balsillie’s $212.5 million offer?

Isn’t your job to go out and sell the NHL to the highest bidder? How is it that everyone is "OK" with diminishing an asset?

The explanation as to why Balsillie’s bid was rejected was laughable. In an e-mail to The Globe and Mail, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Balsillie was rejected as an owner under bylaw 35 of the NHL’s constitution, which says the NHL can reject an owner if the league deems them to be of poor character and/or integrity.

For his part, this is what Bettman said about the bylaws: "The criteria set forth in the (NHL) constitution and bylaws relates to financial wherewithal, character, integrity, and the view whether or not the other owners would deem you a good partner."

With that in mind, other than being a tad aggressive in trying to land an NHL franchise, what it is that Balsillie has done that makes you believe he is of poor character and integrity? As for the question of financial wherewithal, have you seen Balsillie's bank account?

This is the same league that has endorsed the likes of Bruce McNall, who defaulted on a $90 million loan and later pleaded guilty to five counts of conspiracy and fraud.

This is the same league that endorsed former Nashville Predators owner Bill (William) Del Baggio, who has recently pled guilty to fraud and should be imprisoned for a very long time.

This is the same league that endorsed Henry Samueli, the former owner of the Anaheim Ducks, who has pleaded guilty in a stock options fraud case and is suspended indefinitely by the NHL.

Most recently, Bettman demanded that Len Barrie, the co-owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning, prove that he had the $10 million that represents his share of the amount of money the Lightning lost last season. Barrie stepped up and “showed Gary the money.”

So, Mr. Bettman, what happened? These are the guys you let through your rigorous background checks? Now you don’t trust your owners?

These guys were better than Balsillie? Yeah right, buddy.

The fact that the NHL let these “frauds” into the league is hilarity. If this is any indication of how thorough your background checks are, I cringe at what we don’t know about the other owners that have recently been approved by the NHL.

All the while, Bettman has never stepped up and taken a shred of responsibility for any of these poor decisions. Your hands are bloody, Bettman, so be a man and take responsibility for the slaughtering of the NHL’s integrity, will ya? What kind of leadership is that, Gary?

Clearly, Bettman has it in for Balsillie. Personally, I blame little man syndrome. Bettman seems determined to come out on top, regardless of the cost to the NHL and its ownership.

Balsillie is just what the NHL needs. He is passionate, flush with cash, a visionary, and his connections throughout the wireless communication world could only be a positive thing for the NHL.

Balsillie has built one of the most influential companies of our time, so imagine what he could do for the NHL. Bettman’s exclusion of Balsillie is short-sighted and, in my mind, an act of stupidity.

Balsillie has stated that he will not back down and looks to file another bid to the bankruptcy court in the coming days. If nothing else, Balsillie is nothing short of a pit bull when it comes to his desire for an NHL franchise.

Good on ya, Mr. Balsillie.

Given time, I expect the NHL and its owners to wake up and realize that having Balsillie as an ally would be a good thing. At the same time, I am not holding my breath, and I understand that the axe may very well have to fall on Bettman’s head before this happens.

Patience is not Mr. Balsillie’s strong suit, but you don’t get where he is by lollygagging around hoping to make things happen. You grab the bull by the horns, dig both heels in, and pull like crazy.

Keep trying, Mr. Balsillie. Like Mark Cuban before you in the NBA, the NHL could use a man like you. Good luck.

Until next time,

Peace!

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