While what you are saying appeared to initially be the case, that is not what we are now hearing in Niagara. Here are some quotes from a recent article in the St Catharines Standard.
“The role will remain open until a suitable candidate is hired. In the interim, Wes Consorti continues to serve as acting GM,” Josh Sweetland, the league’s communications director, said in an interview.
“Once a final candidate is selected, the League will provide approval.”
“To clarify, the OHL is not currently operating the day-to-day affairs of the Niagara IceDogs. Darren DeDobbelaer remains owner and Governor of the team,” Sweetland said.
Basically since DD is still the owner, he pays the bills and has the right to select the GM he wants but the league has to approve it. DD will push for the cheapest candidate available.
Once the GM is in place, the GM can hire the staff he wants but the salaries have to fit the budget DD supplies. DD’s insistence on keeping the budget low will hurt this team.