The NHL Hates Canada

Unless you've been hiding under a rock recently, or you simply don't follow such things (probably the more productive of the two choices, really), you've probably heard of Jim Balsillie and his attempt to purchase and relocate the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes.

Balsillie is the founder of the Blackberry empire; he co-owns Research in Motion (RIM) and has a personal fortune in the $2.5 billion range. The Phoenix Coyotes have been struggling, both competitively and financially, in obscurity in the suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona since 2001. The team recently filed for Bankruptcy protection after having posted significant financial losses (at one time as much as $40 million) in recent years. When the team moved to Phoenix it was successful, and popular. Recently, however, the quality of the team and the fan support have plummeted as debts have skyrocketed.

Jim Balsillie, in early May, offered to purchase team out of bankruptcy for $212.5 million. His only condition of sale was that he be allowed to move the team to Hamilton, Ontario. This offer represents approximately 10% of Balsillie's personal wealth and demonstrates his commitment to the success of the franchise - something that recently has not been a priority for neither Coyotes ownership nor the NHL. This is not Balsillie's first attempt to purchase an NHL franchise and move it to Canada. He has been met by staunch opposition from the league at every turn.

Gary Bettman, commissioner of the NHL, has repeatedly said that the League holds nothing personal against Balsillie. He's right. The league probably doesn't dislike Balsillie; Bettman smooches the hindquarters of anyone with legitimate money and an interest in hockey - as long as he's American. The league holds something against Canada.

The NHL cites many reasons why relocating the franchise to Ontario is impossible. The bulk of these arguments boil down to the move being "against League rules." Bettman has been quoted as saying the NHL is "committed to the Phoenix area." I distinctly remember the league having absolutely no problem with hastily moving south both the Winnipeg Jets (now the Coyotes) and Quebec Nordiques (now the Colorado Avalanche) when the Canadian dollar struggled in the late 1990's. If the League wanted a move to happen, it would happen. The NHL has proven its rules to be remarkably fluid of late when they become inconvenient to the goals of Bettman and Co. (this week's Evgeni Malkin incident providing a highlight example). The fact is that neither Bettman, nor the NHL's remaining "brain trust," want to add another Canadian franchise, especially not at the expense of an American one in a large, cash-abundant, market. These guys still think they can raise the NHL to prominence in the southern USA. I can understand entertaining this fantasy in 1997. Do keep doing so given the evidence of the last 12 years later is complete lunacy.

The majority of Americans outside states bordering - guess who? - Canada, don't give a rip about the NHL. They never will. The NHL falls somewhere between Arena football and the LPGA on the American sports Relevance-o-meter. In fact, one could argue that both are more popular, based on number of dates on National Television. Laser light shows, free tickets (you wish I were joking), and discount Winnebago promotions only get you so far. At some point people have to want to buy tickets, want to buy merchandise, and want to watch their team regularly on television. In short: people actually have to give a shit; they have to give a shit the way Canadian fans do for the NHL to rise from obscurity.