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Hamilton One Step Closer To Having an NHL Team

Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Research In Motion (company that produces the BlackBerry), was given permission by a judge today to bid on the bankrupt Pheonix Coyotes. His bid was earlier rejected by the NHL because he wants to move the Coyotes team to Hamilton. Luckily a judge saw things differently and will allow him to bid on September 10th with 2 others who are also bidding but are looking to keep the team in Pheonix.

Balsillie's bid of $212.5 million is the highest bid, so he has a chance of winning. If so, then Hamilton may be able to get an NHL team... playing in an upgraded Copps Coliseum!

More details will follow once the bid happens in September.

Read more details on the judge ruling here.

Fight0 · 08-05-2009 at 07:39 PM

I'd love it. Hockey is one of the few sports I adore going to see. I'd probably blow my summer earnings on tickets

It'd do wonders for Hamilton, and damn... Canada deserves another NHL team.

micadjems · 08-05-2009 at 07:54 PM

I heard though that just because he has the highest bid, they don't necessarily choose him. They'll probably avoid it due to the move (though never say that directly)

Phoenix · 08-05-2009 at 09:25 PM

its not going to happen, the NHL does not like a team in Hamilton, and Basillie, isn't going to budge. Plus I think they are trying to keep the interests of the Leafs in mind as well.

sew12 · 08-05-2009 at 09:32 PM

Is Hamilton where they think the audience is or what?

What not bring a team to a Canadian province that doesn't have one.

zango · 08-05-2009 at 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sew12

Is Hamilton where they think the audience is or what?

What not bring a team to a Canadian province that doesn't have one.

because the majority of the canadian population is in ontario?

...

the coyotes used to be in manitoba lol, didnt work out so well, get it!

micadjems · 08-05-2009 at 09:35 PM

Hamiltonians are generally Sabres fans as far as I'm aware, though.

I'd love to see a "maritimes" team, but I just don't know if they have the population to make the franchise worthwhile!

cee023 · 08-05-2009 at 09:37 PM

Go Balsillie!!

_Luu_ · 08-05-2009 at 09:51 PM

Although it's nice having another Canadian team (because it would be financially stable and successful), I would prefer a move to Winnipeg instead. It's quite possibly the most hockey-starved market out there.

GO JETS GO

jhan523 · 08-05-2009 at 09:56 PM

I think Hamilton is too close to Toronto and Buffalo. That's the main reason that I think they wouldn't get a team. Basically they would be taking ticket holders from these two teams because I'm sure a lot of people in that area go to Leafs and/or Sabres games. They should really expand hockey instead of moving more teams to the east.

zango · 08-05-2009 at 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Luu_

Although it's nice having another Canadian team (because it would be financially stable and successful), I would prefer a move to Winnipeg instead. It's quite possibly the most hockey-starved market out there.

GO JETS GO

thats where the coyotes came from...

Taunton · 08-05-2009 at 10:11 PM

I saw an interview on the news today with a sports analyst who said that he has good reason to believe that all the other competitive bids may fall through, and so Balsillie may have no real competition come the actual auction.

He also said however, that the NHL will likely slap a multi-million dollar relocation fee, which might screw things up.

There's degfinitely a chance though, so keep your fingers crossed!

PS: I also think that other cities should get an NHL team, but the Southern Ontario market definitely could support a new team and financially would be much safer than virtually anywhere else in the country. It's basically the safest bet for Balsillie to be guaranteed to make his money back.

PPS: Go RIM/BlackBerry! Hamilton Berries anyone?

_Luu_ · 08-05-2009 at 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zango

thats where the coyotes came from...

Well if the Hamilton deal falls through, what's the problem of moving back to its original place?

**lorend** · 08-06-2009 at 10:38 AM

I'm surprised there hasn't been more of a bush from an area like Barrie: that way a lot of people from further north could still go to games, and people from southern Ontario could as well.

zango · 08-06-2009 at 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Luu_

Well if the Hamilton deal falls through, what's the problem of moving back to its original place?

because they werent doing well in winnipeg thats why they moved to phoenix. and the NHL doesnt want them moving anywhere...

its probably about a 1 million dollar relocation fee or something like that