Chris18 wrote:
How many more years could Bettman work? He's 70.
Aren't owners basically just interested in money? Can't a potential ownership group go to the rest of the owners and point out how much more they'd make with a team in Quebec vs Arizona, and wouldn't that get the other owners on board? If the rest of the owners tell Bettman he's costing them money, he'll do whatever they want or they can fire him. Isn't his contract up soon, if not this year?
Bettman's replacement will likely be 10 times worse than he is. I thought Bud Selig was pretty bad, but then Rob Manfred took over...I'd take 8 Seligs in a row if it meant getting rid of Manfred forever.
I'm guessing Bettman has the owners convinced that losing that Arizona market and the whatever uncertainty there is with a potential move will cost the owners more. He's a lawyer so I'm sure he's pretty good at twisting any argument to his favor.
The problem with either Quebec City or Houston is that there is no real ownership group lined up. I believe there are potential owners in both markets but obviously those folks are not enough to convince Bettman and the brass to give up on the Coyotes. When True North stepped up to buy the Thrashers, Bettman didn't hesitate to say sayornara to Atlanta. It should also be noted that the ownership debacle in Atlanta was far, far worse than anything that's gone down in Phoenixdale.