Bettman meeting with Ryan Smith, owner of Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake (upd: Smith asks NHL to open expansion process)

[TheLegend]

Today on the DFO rundown frank seravalli openly said that this press release was about the coyotes and they will be moving there next year.

The coyotes have until Jan 31 to show they have land to build on (or some degree of progress) and that the press release saying immediately was in relation to that.

I’m not saying he’s right. But he absolutely said they were going to lose in the vote last year. I listen to hockey podcasts to pass the commute at work. He was the only one that said that last year

Seravalli said a week ago he “thought” there was a deadline.

Meaning he guessed without even trying to confirm. That’s pure laziness on his part as a so-called “journalist” and now he has to double down on it because he’s can’t look like an idiot and even if he comes out wrong he can sluff it off.

 

[Legion34]

Seravalli said a week ago he “thought” there was a deadline.

Meaning he guessed without even trying to confirm. That’s pure laziness on his part as a so-called “journalist” and now he has to double down on it because he’s can’t look like an idiot and even if he comes out wrong he can stuff it off.

So he there there was a deadline. And confirmed it? So he had information and was right? Not that lazy to go out and know this info that isn’t readily

People on podcasts speak more casually. He’s not testifying in court.

I’m not saying he’s right about this. I am saying he was right about the last vote. He knew they didn’t have the votes. He said it multiple times.

Didn’t you spend a lot of time saying the you’re were going to win the last vote? I could be wrong. I never look at handles really but your avatar looks familiar

 

[Mike Jones]

Ohhhh… because you lived there. Well then, they’re crazy not to put a team there

I know the market.

 

[LPHabsFan]

Where are these owners that are beating down the door and being denied?

I get you want to feel persecuted by the USA, but nobody in QC or Hamilton has the cash, desire, or permission from MTL or TOR to have a team there.

The BoG doesn't hate QC, they aren't operating on emotion and Nationalism or Xenophobia. QC just doesn't bring anything meaningful to the table. Based on being even smaller and poorer than Winnipeg, why go there?

I've been waiting for a while to bring this out again. The league, depending on how you look at it, absolutely has a dislike for Quebec City and it all has ties to local politics and PKP. You can also throw in Jeremy Jacobs as he's just a giant piece of shit. Don't believe me? That's fine. Don't take my word for it. Maybe Gord Miller is a better source.

Miller: Latvia playing different tournament than Canada

TSN hockey analyst Gord Miller is live from Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championship and tells us about the fine line of calling a 10-0 game and hitting the right note of enthusiasm and which countries are making noise at the tournament

www.tsn.ca

Right at the 10:35 mark is when expansion comes up and he specifically mentions politics and PKP.

Based on what? Surely you're not talking about market size or corporate presence...

And what exactly has market size and corporate presence gotten us on a lot of markets in the US. Because if we really broke it down and got into the nitty gritty details, the majority of teams most likely operate within just a few million of the red/black line and that their market penetration and balance sheets aren't as good as people think.

You know who intentionally started the Coyotes tanget in this thread by dropping an innuendo, right?

Does it all the time in the megathread.

And he hasn’t posted here since.

I mean I showed you evidence that it was not a far out there possibility so........

 

[TheLegend]

I mean I showed you evidence that it was not a far out there possibility so........

Wasn’t you.

But I also described another scenario above that fits the same “evidence”.

There is a request in to the Utah Jazz for clarification on what they really mean in that statement of hosting a team at the current arena.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

And what exactly has market size and corporate presence gotten us on a lot of markets in the US. Because if we really broke it down and got into the nitty gritty details, the majority of teams most likely operate within just a few million of the red/black line and that their market penetration and balance sheets aren't as good as people think.

Corporate $$ plays a major role in revenue. Seats, suites, advertising, even corporate events. Market size, television market size (broadcasting rights contracts), and market growth also all play a huge role.

The poster I quoted has said numerous times that Atlanta should not have a team, but QC should. Other than "I lived there", I'm just wondering why.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Maybe somebody who wants a money-making team in a strong hockey market.


The problem is that Bettman has made it clear that he hates QC and shows no interest in having a profitable team in a strong market. He spits in the faces of fans whenever he has a chance.

Bettman,an idiot with an axe to grind with Canada and Quebec City...Hamilton would make Buffalo go away...if you look at attendance the Sabres have not done well because a lot of Canadians are staying away

 

[Mightygoose]

Next BOG meeting not scheduled until June. But Bettman could get ExCom to start ball rolling. There are about $2B reasons the league/owners would expand by just one team.

LeBrun also states they need to figure out the Coyotes before they go the expansion route. Lots of 'ifs' in regards to that.

Still potentially months to figure that out.

Could be lots of 2 weeks to go.

 

[dj4aces]

And what exactly has market size and corporate presence gotten us on a lot of markets in the US. Because if we really broke it down and got into the nitty gritty details, the majority of teams most likely operate within just a few million of the red/black line and that their market penetration and balance sheets aren't as good as people think.

Define "us".

From a business perspective, you want to market your product to as many people as possible. You're not gonna do that by putting a team in Halifax, Saskatoon, or Flin Flon. You're gonna do that in major media markets with lots of eyes to see lots of ads.

The league has made it pretty clear to anyone viewing its expansion choices through a business lens that it's playing the long game. Revenue sharing ensures being in the red isn't a back-breaker, and every owner is happy with that. If they weren't happy with it, I guarantee they'd end it tomorrow.

But with little in the way of corporate support, a team won't last long, no matter where you put it. That's not good for the health of the league.

 

[Mike Jones]

Bettman,an idiot with an axe to grind with Canada and Quebec City...Hamilton would make Buffalo go away...if you look at attendance the Sabres have not done well because a lot of Canadians are staying away

It would probably be a good idea to move Buffalo to Hamilton.

 

[Headshot77]

It would probably be a good idea to move Buffalo to Hamilton.

No. Buffalo routinely posts the best TV ratings of any US market. Buffalo isn't going anywhere any time soon.

 

[Reaser]

No. Buffalo routinely posts the best TV ratings of any US market. Buffalo isn't going anywhere any time soon.

Yup, usually Buffalo is 2nd to Pittsburgh in local/regional ratings (though BUF has been #1 and PIT #2 before), those two are almost always top-2. While the Bruins lead for local/regional average viewership.

Thing with Buffalo is they also do very well for ratings for NHL games the Sabres aren't involved in. A market that watches even when their own team isn't playing, particularly playoffs & SCF.

Wouldn't make sense to give up and alienate one of the few U.S. markets that not only watches their own team, but watches the league as a whole. To gain a market (Hamilton) that's watching the NHL right now anyway.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

It would probably be a good idea to move Buffalo to Hamilton.

It would be a good idea to move Flames to Houston.

 

[BMN]

I'd love for the NHL to be in Hamilton (a position I've never deviated from since 10 year old BMN marked out for the '87 Canada Cup) but advocating the relocation of the Buffalo Sabres is sheer idiocy. It literally would fly in the face of the arguments of BOTH people who prize attendance *and* people who prize TV ratings.

Not being from the Horseshoe, I've often wondered if there's a magic bullet location that provides the adequate distance from Toronto/Buffalo, harnesses the unspent dollars in the GTA metro generally *but* has some sort of regional identification appeal as Hamilton does. (Re: the latter, I think Hamiltonians would love a crosstown rivalry with Toronto whereas I was always a little mystified as to the right moniker for team in, say, Markham or what not).

Re: the topic of the thread, I'm still waiting for a reporter to just call someone from Quebecor (and also from Gathering/Fertitta/etc. as well for that matter) and ask "any thoughts about this Salt Lake thing?"

 

[BKIslandersFan]

I've been waiting for a while to bring this out again. The league, depending on how you look at it, absolutely has a dislike for Quebec City and it all has ties to local politics and PKP. You can also throw in Jeremy Jacobs as he's just a giant piece of shit. Don't believe me? That's fine. Don't take my word for it. Maybe Gord Miller is a better source.

Or they don't believe in the market.

Why do you think NHL hates QC? Jesus Christ it doesn't stop with you people.

 

[GKJ]

I'm just spitballing here, but, has anyone thought of this idea? If Meruelo and Co. don't come up with a viable arena plan by the end of the season, Bettman gives him this option:

Meruelo sells the team to Smith for a decent profit, on the agreed condition that Arizona gets the next expansion team in the next couple of years. Gives the Meruelo team the time it needs to get land to build an arena on, without the time-sensitive stress of getting it done in the next matter of months. 'Yotes then move to SLC for '24-'25. AM gets his arena/shopping district finalized for a new team.

Not that I want the Coyotes to move. I hope they can get a chance to stay in the Valley somewhere. But, would this be something that works for both fanbases and cities?

Been discussed at length before in fact.

Can’t get that condition if he can’t get the building though, and can’t be sure that he will even if he can.

 

[GKJ]

Seravalli said a week ago he “thought” there was a deadline.

Meaning he guessed without even trying to confirm. That’s pure laziness on his part as a so-called “journalist” and now he has to double down on it because he’s can’t look like an idiot and even if he comes out wrong he can sluff it off.

The ‘end of January’ was corroborated as recently as December, citing the BOG meetings, as when they need to know when shovels will be in the ground.

NHL Board of Governors notebook: Olympics concern, 2024 draft in Vegas and more

Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston cover the news from the NHL's Board of Governors meetings in Seattle.

theathletic.com

One of these writers went on TSN today and said ‘now wait a minute, the schedule doesn’t get done for a few more months.’

 

[TheLegend]

The ‘end of January’ was corroborated as recently as December, citing the BOG meetings, as when they need to know when shovels will be in the ground.

NHL Board of Governors notebook: Olympics concern, 2024 draft in Vegas and more

Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston cover the news from the NHL's Board of Governors meetings in Seattle.

theathletic.com

One of these writers went on TSN today and said ‘now wait a minute, the schedule doesn’t get done for a few more months.’

Earlier this evening in our local discord. I’ll have to go listen myself but I doubt Craig would make this up.

He’s also got a query into the Utah Jazz asking for clarification of the statement about host a team at Delta.

 

[GKJ]

Earlier this evening in our local discord. I’ll have to go listen myself but I doubt Craig would make this up.

He’s also got a query into the Utah Jazz asking for clarification of the statement about host a team at Delta.


View attachment 810645

Not saying he made it up. Nobody made anything up. There was reliable reporting that there was a deadline that was at least around the all-star break, if not end of January. I’m sure it’s been documented a thousand times in the Arizona thread.

Craig can be snarky about it all he wants, doesn’t change what actual real reporting is/was.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Define "us".

From a business perspective, you want to market your product to as many people as possible. You're not gonna do that by putting a team in Halifax, Saskatoon, or Flin Flon. You're gonna do that in major media markets with lots of eyes to see lots of ads.

The league has made it pretty clear to anyone viewing its expansion choices through a business lens that it's playing the long game. Revenue sharing ensures being in the red isn't a back-breaker, and every owner is happy with that. If they weren't happy with it, I guarantee they'd end it tomorrow.

But with little in the way of corporate support, a team won't last long, no matter where you put it. That's not good for the health of the league.

You know what - I used to live in Saskatoon. Hell - I actually lived in Flin Flon for 6 months back in the 90s (HBM&S, now HudBay, is a big employer). It's a seriously underrated town, and one that is perhaps the most hockey-mad town I've ever lived in (go Flin Flon Bombers!).

The NHL has only one thing they care about. Money.

If you walked up to the NHL with one billion dollars and wanted an expansion franchise in Saskatoon, or Flin Flon - I think they'd make it happen. You'd be stupid to buy an NHL franchise in either city, but if you wanted to pay the expansion fee, I'm pretty sure the NHL would find a way to take your money.

(as an 80s kid living in Saskatoon, I still remember the excitement of "Saskatoon has got the Blues!" even tough it was always a crazy Bill Hunter fever dream.)

 

[Shwan]

Not saying he made it up. Nobody made anything up. There was reliable reporting that there was a deadline that was at least around the all-star break, if not end of January. I’m sure it’s been documented a thousand times in the Arizona thread.

Craig can be snarky about it all he wants, doesn’t change what actual real reporting is/was.

Yeah just like when Craig said Fiesta Mall was a viable option for the Coyotes when everyone knew it wasn't then a month later said it wasn't and that a County Island was a viable option when everyone knew it wasn't.

Now we're on land auctions being a viable option when......well you get the drift.

 

[dj4aces]

You know what - I used to live in Saskatoon. Hell - I actually lived in Flin Flon for 6 months back in the 90s (HBM&S, now HudBay, is a big employer). It's a seriously underrated town, and one that is perhaps the most hockey-mad town I've ever lived in (go Flin Flon Bombers!).

The NHL has only one thing they care about. Money.

If you walked up to the NHL with one billion dollars and wanted an expansion franchise in Saskatoon, or Flin Flon - I think they'd make it happen. You'd be stupid to buy an NHL franchise in either city, but if you wanted to pay the expansion fee, I'm pretty sure the NHL would find a way to take your money.

(as an 80s kid living in Saskatoon, I still remember the excitement of "Saskatoon has got the Blues!" even tough it was always a crazy Bill Hunter fever dream.)

I don't know that the league would put a team in any of those places I rattled off just because you have money for an expansion team in your pocket and a dream in your head, because the BoG also wants sustainability. If all they cared about was getting a fat payday today to move the team in five or ten years, they wouldn't vet prospective ownership and markets like they do today.

You'll hear no argument from me about how hockey mad Saskatoon or Flin Flon is, because I'm sure they're all quite passionate about the sport. But it wouldn't just be me who's the fool for paying an expansion fee to put a NHL team in Flin Flon. It'd be the league, and all governors who approve the expansion to such a tiny market. Relocation is a black eye on a league that is vying for both relevance and stability.

 

[Fantomas]

Very impressed to learn that former NHLer Ryan Smyth has done so well in his post-hockey life.

 

[TheLegend]

Not saying he made it up. Nobody made anything up. There was reliable reporting that there was a deadline that was at least around the all-star break, if not end of January. I’m sure it’s been documented a thousand times in the Arizona thread.

Craig can be snarky about it all he wants, doesn’t change what actual real reporting is/was.

Here is the direct quote text from Chris Johnston.....

Johnston: And with Utah in the mix, obviously that does put the spotlight on the Coyotes. And you know, there's some question about whether this imminent deadline here for them to sort out what they're going to do with their new arena situation. They look to secure a piece of land in North Phoenix. I don't get that sense just yet. I know Marty Walsh in an interview with The Athletic this week said the clock is ticking but the clock does appear to have a few more months on it until next year's NHL schedule has to be finalized. And I'll remind you when the Atlanta Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg back in 2011, that announcement didn't come until May 31st. And so there is still a window to play with here while the Coyotes try to figure things out.

So in spite of what Marty Walsh says.... Chris Johnston says there isn't any sort of deadline until maybe near the end of the season.

IOW.... he's not buying the current rhetoric on deadlines as such.

 

[TheLegend]

So he there there was a deadline. And confirmed it? So he had information and was right? Not that lazy to go out and know this info that isn’t readily

People on podcasts speak more casually. He’s not testifying in court.

I’m not saying he’s right about this. I am saying he was right about the last vote. He knew they didn’t have the votes. He said it multiple times.

Didn’t you spend a lot of time saying the you’re were going to win the last vote? I could be wrong. I never look at handles really but your avatar looks familiar

No.... I did not. I liked the proposal as it was constructed. I also said the right thing to do was put it to a vote.

And I don't care how casual someone wants to speak. Words have consequences. If you're going to pander yourself off as an "insider" do the damn homework.