Offer to Buy NHL Not Taken Seriously
It really shouldn’t come as any surprise, but the offer to buy the entire NHL was not taken very seriously by the owners. It’s a story the NHL probably pushed to show the value of the league is less than others reported (i.e. Forbes), and then use that figure in negotiations with the NHLPA.
Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks called the proposal “silly”, and also said he isn’t interested in selling the Stars anymore:
While Hicks had the Stars up for sale before the NHL lockout, which has cost the league the 2004-05 season, he said he is not interested in selling at this time.
“We’ll come out of this very strong,” Hicks said of his anticipation that a new collective bargaining agreement will stop losses that the league reported as $224 million for last season. “Franchises that lose money aren’t worth a whole lot, while franchises that make money are worth a lot more. That’s just simple business.”
The Stars are certainly a strong franchise, but if this is how Hicks feels just imagine how franchises like the Rangers, Maple Leafs, Red Wings and Flyers felt about the proposal?
Update: TSN is carrying a CP story about the owners disinterest. Thanks to James Mirtle for the link.
Another Update: Bob McKenzie has his say.
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