NHL gets $3.5 billion offer for all 30 teams

[luckydog71]

So this would put an end to any duscussion about salary cap. All teams would have one owner.

I wonder if the offer is serious?




http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/3435268

 

[rambler6]

Nhl

Very interesting story. Good find.

 

[Maury Beniowski]

This story broke last night on CBC.ca

A pair of American-based companies have made a joint offer to buy the National Hockey League lock, stock and barrel for roughly $3.5 billion US.

Bain Capital Partners LLC, a Wall Street buyout firm, and Game Plan International, a sports advisory company, tabled the offer to buy the 30-team league during the NHL owners meeting in New York on Tuesday.

Both companies are somewhat familiar to sports fans. Steven Pagliuca, managing partner at Bain Capital Partners, is co-owner of the NBA's Boston Celtics. Game Plan helped facilitate the sale of the Ottawa Senators to Canadian billionaire Eugene Melnyk in 2003.

I don't think there is any doubt about the liquidity of Pagliuca. However, he'd have to raise the bulk of the capital for such a purchase either through junk bonds (difficult), or even through concessions with the NHLPA.

With one owner, we'd end up with phony hockey, not unlike the WWF or RAW. If the teams are sold back to the players, it could possibly interesting, but probably different for the fans. Many businesses have re-invented themselves like this before - airlines, steel mills, etc. - so why not the NHL?

 

[shark]

It wouldn't be accepted. The big city owners would want a bigger cut, maybe even $350 million. The small owners' franchises may only be worth $50 million even though the expansion cost was much higher.

 

[steviegjd]

Simply a ploy . . .

This "offer" seems to be merely an opportunistic ploy by the offerors to get attention to themselves or perhaps draw attention to the NHL's current tribulations.

There is no way all of the NHL owners would agree to sell their franchises to one central ownership committee. Notwithstanding the reality that the franchises all have wildly different values, there are egos involved. While no doubt some of the less commercially productive franchises would be willing to sell, we are dealing with rich owners who are used to getting what they want. These folks are not going to chuck it all in for a "buy out" from a thrid party.

Hopefully the players and owners will work out a contract soon and this sort of hype will die down.

 

[LowerMainlander]

IF it goes through,

you can probably kiss the Canadian teams goodbye.

 

[87112]

I say Bettman is a terrorist for overexpanding, leaving Winnipeg and Quebec and loving boring style hockey.

 

[MrDaty]

who gives a shit

Go do somethinge else man. These gifted young atheletes forgot who they work for......