Deas: Då var det tydligen klart att Isle of Capri inte fick någon spel-licens.
"The decision by the gaming commission was terrible news for the Penguins, their fans and the NHL,'' Bettman said in a statement. ''The future of this franchise in Pittsburgh is uncertain and the Penguins now will have to explore all other options, including possible relocation. The NHL will support the Penguins in their endeavours.''
"The board voted unanimously to award the city's only slot-machine licence to Detroit-based casino developer Don H. Barden's PITG Gaming. Barden's group proposes building a casino and entertainment development on the city's North Shore, near Heinz Field and PNC Park. Both the Steelers and Pirates were strongly opposed to his plan.
Barden had promised to contribute some money for a new arena over 30 years under a plan proposed by city and county officials that would include public funds. But that plan also calls for the Penguins to help pay for the facility."
Deas: Jag skulle tro att svaret beror på om man exempelvis är boende i Kansas City, Winnipeg eller liknande ställen som är intresserade av att få ett NHL-lag till sin stad.
Deas: En artikel från ESPN som bland annat hävdar att om man lagt samma krav på de ägare som köpt lag under de senaste åren som man ställt vad gäller Balsillies köp av Penguins så hade ingen av dessa ens valt att komma i närheten av något som har med NHL att göra.
"One team executive said if the same conditions imposed on Balsillie are not imposed on Toronto brewery owner Frank D'Angelo and his partners, who have emerged as leading suitors for the Penguins, or Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who is also reportedly back in the picture, then Balsillie might have grounds to launch a suit against the league for bad-faith negotiations.
And if those restrictions remain in place for future Penguins ownership bids, what happens when Charles Wang decides he's had enough of Rick DiPietro and decides to sell the New York Islanders? Or Alan Cohen wakes up one morning and says "Hockey team? I thought you said hemlock tea," and decides to sell the Florida Panthers? Will those same conditions exist?"
Deas: Var det inte någon klausul om att NHL kunde kliva in, om man kände sig tvingade, och ta över klubbens skötsel från ägaren... eller något liknande... som torde ha avskräckt Balsillie.
Men nu verkar man ju återigen ha flera intressenter, om man får tro denna artikel.
Själv orkar jag inte följa cirkusen längre. Den som lever får se.