Who is in favour of Jim Basille, CEO of RIM, purchasing the Predators and maybe moving them to Hamilton, Ont?

Question

There is speculation about a move to Ontario, particularly Hamilton, to run the team from there? Any feedback?

Answer 1

I don't know why people already have the Predators playing in Ontario next year when there hasn't been a binding agreement on the sale of the team, approval of the other owners, all over a few hundred less paying customers per game.

I know you Canadians want more teams in your country. Even as an American, I feel there should be several more in the Great White North and less in the American South but don't get carried away here. Nothing is finalized, it's all been speculation.

Your efforts should be concentrated on keeping the teams you already have. I got a strong feeling that the Edmonton Oilers are looking for greener pastures. And in business, money comes before nationalism.

Answer 2

Even though I feel sorry for Nashville fans, you have to admit when Hamilton can sell more tickets for a team they don't have yet than Nashville fans can for a team that's already there, well the writing is on the wall. The NHL, if they fight the move to Hamilton or Winnipeg and the team ends up in Kansas City or Las Vegas, will definately show their true colours and prejudice against Canada, since they allow three teams in California and three in New York State, and more than one team in both New York and LA markets.

Answer 3

if balsille is going to own the team , then why is nashville working on a skeleton budget??? answer: leipold is going to consider a local offer for full or partial ownership... he is cutting payroll down for 2 reasons ..1-- to lower teams net worth as far as payout to players so locals can more afford the deal.. 2-- to retain kariya and go after another good hartnell replacement (lang) possibly; also to add some more offensive prowess....

puckdat-- 29 owners happy with balsille or his wallett...cmon man you are one of the smartest guys on here... silly balls (as we call him) is despised in the nhl second only to bettman... admit it ; he is nothing more than a lying weasel whos wallet size is matched only by his ego...




balsilles offer is still on the table but leipold is moving on as if the team will be his this season for good reason-- BECAUSE IT WILL BE HIS.... he will accept a partial buyout that lets him keep 50-60% ownership ; meaning he will run the team.....

timo 10143 -- sorry about the flack over the last moving question... but this one has some real dreamers responding...

craigjames --- ill take that bet-- ill even risk it all by saying silly balls will not own this team... if its not becoming clearer that balsille will not have the pink slip; let alone consider moving; then let me borrow those rose colored glasses you see the world thru...

and finally to the residents of hamilton--- im truly sorry for you people... you may deserve a team but mine ; over my dead body... this is twice you have been tempted by the apple so to speak.. and balsille truly is the snake... just hope his writing hand is healthy when he has to return ALL those ticket deposits....

finally-- how did all this get blown up as big as it has become... think about this one-- an enormous offer,deadline passes-- new offer emerges from local investors, corporate support begins coming onboard ---- ever heard the term "wag the dog"????? AL GORE has a better shot at ownership now than mr. blackberry silly balls..

dont believe me about al?? check it out at nashvillepost.com

Answer 4

I love the idea. Lets send Atlanta to Canada too. These teams have awful markets and dont even sell out games that are important ones. Atlanta failed to sellout a game in the playoffs. This is sad to see and I think that they would do much better in a place that actually cares about hockey and not whether or not Vick will be fined for giving the fans the finger.

Answer 5

I can almost guarantee that Hamilton has the Nashville Predators within a year. Everyone knows southern ontario can support a team, just like Winnipeg could. I think the owners in toronto/ottawa might fight against it, but the truth is that Nashville is a great team with a poor city and they deserve to be in Canada.

Answer 6

Nashville is not looked at has a hockey town, but during the lockout a lot of places went out of business. The city lost millions of dollars in tax revenue. The city goverment will not allow the team to leave. If they have to spend $200,000 per season on tickets. To keep millions of tax dollars rolling in. It's simple math. if you were the mayor of Nashville. What would you do?
Keep the Preds here.

Answer 7

Balsille must have pulled back, the Preds just traded their goalie for draft picks and have already given up the rights to two UFAs earlier in the week. Craig Leipold isn't going to get 220 million from anyone else, I can't see that he walked away. Unless Bettman dragged him kicking a screaming.

Answer 8

According to thehockeynews.com Leopold, the owner of the Preds has asked the NHL not to consider Balsille to be a prospective owner of the team because he never gave Leopold a finalized sales agreement.

Answer 9

Two thumbs way up. This would right a wrong from years back and give NHL fans in the largest market that cares more chances to buy tickets. It's a no-brainer really except of course Bettman has no brain and talks out of his @rse

Sorry Nashville fans but put Bettman's beliefs aside, 29 owners love Balsillie and his fat wad of cash. They had already approved his take -over of the Pens when Bettman stepped in. And he can buy out the current lease for less than 50 mil which is chump change to this guy. He also has the backing and blessing of Gretzky. It's gonna happen and there is nothing any of your wishing and hoping can do about it. Just dump your season's tickets and go to Titans games.

Answer 10

Over 12,.000 Hamiltonian's who have put deposits on season tickets, and corporate boxes.