Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Judge to Jimmy Balls: Suck It

Some other minor news this morning (a Paul Maurice contract extension, the Wild's new coach, Derian Hatcher retiring, some parade), but undoubtedly the only story worth even mentioning is the judge's decision in a Phoenix bankruptcy Court. Stick with us here, because it's messy.

So Judge Redfield T. Baum rejected the sale and move of the Coyotes. BUT, and this is a big BUT, he didn't really. He only said that there wasn't enough time before Jimmy Balls' self-imposed deadline of June 29 to sort out all the details. Damn playoffs got in the way. The other BUT is that he ruled that the NHL did not violate anti-trust laws by giving the Tronna Leafs veto power. If you're a masochist (or a lawyer), you can read the whole decision.

Jimmy Balls' spokesman was quoted as saying that this is just another step in the process. Bill Daly was quoted as saying the NHL was looking forward to finding a local buyer to keep the team in Phoenix. Yeah, plus ça change...

We'll continue to monitor this situation, if anyone cares. Please tell us you don't.

16 comments:

Rob said...

Guys, i couldn't give a flying fuck with the exception that that little fuck toad Bettman and his gang of cigar on the lapel, private club fuck whores (also known as certain owners) continue the non stop fuck fest of anyone who can offer anything in the way of positive action for the NHL. I just simply want to see all of them fucking go away, Bettman first and foremost...but that isn't going to happen and as you said...plus ca change...plus ca reste la meme! Hey! US Open starts Thursday...and Wanda's is always open...not all is lost.

Number31 said...

I'm actually more in favor of a dispersal draft of the team's assests...

Most ventures run by The Great One have failed too. That's no coincidence.

TH-TO said...

HF29. You'd be correct in the assumption that I don't care :-)

J.T. said...

I care only in that it might impact the Habs in some regard. If, for example, the league can't find a buyer who'll keep the team in the Phoenix area, who pays to support it while the NHL is in charge? And, I'm thinking if I'm a businessman who's interested in owning a hockey team which loses thirty million bucks a year and has never, in its history, shown a profit, then I'm either not a very smart businessman or I'm getting subsidized by the league. And if it's the latter, who pays the subsidy to keep the new owner in Phoenix breaking even? It pisses me off that the league (read: the other NHL teams) will be forced to artificially support Phoenix to an even greater degree than has happened already.

Also, I can't see how the Coyotes' creditors don't have some kind of appeal here. (Not being a lawyer, maybe I'm talking out my ass, I don't know...) The judge's job was to get the creditors the most money possible to settle Moyes' debts. If Silly Balls is offering the most money, shouldn't the judge automatically approve the deal that works best for creditors? (Again, not a lawyer, so please excuse the ass-talk...) How can the judge even justify taking a lower offer when it means unnecessarily leaving some creditors unpaid?

So, I guess I care a little bit. But I wish Bob would hurry up and do something to make me care about something else.

Hadulf said...

Well said J.T. That is the only reason I care too. The rest of the league is financially supporting this stupid team, WHAT.THE.FUCK.

L Dude said...

@J.T.: clap, clap, clap - well said.

I am also not a lawyer, and perhaps one of our learned hosts will correct me if I'm wrong, but is ass-talk not what lawyers do best? (see Gary Buttfuck)

TH-TO said...

Having read the judgment, two things come to mind.

First, Judge Baum is a great writer, particularly since he is writing about the rather dry topic of bankruptcy.

Second, to J.T.'s point about the creditors...The text of the judgment denies the motion based on two things: 1) that filing as bankrupt doesn't automatically mean you can vacate sections of a contract, particularly in a franchise situation; and 2) the judge is actually *all for* getting the best deal for the creditors - Baum simply doesn't think that best deal can be had prior to June 29th and, it's worth noting, at the effective business end of a gun.

Furthermore, in point of fact, Judge Baum has nothing less than a judicial chortle about the 'wreaking havoc' bit proposed by the NHL et al. The 'catastrophic effects' claimed by the NHL of moving a team from a crappy market to a good market do not, in this case, appear to be prohibitive.

Just my 2c.

Young HF29 said...

thanks for doing the actual legal work TH! without a stagiaire, I couldn't do it myself

Habsfan10 said...

Dear Jimmy Balls:

BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS
BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS BUY THE HABS.

bond said...

So the little fuckface GB gets to smirk as he receives a bone from Baun and then releases the tv ratings for game 7.

Now what asshole? Think a few owners may not be too thrilled when they get a cash call to support the dark pit in the desert AND watch their share of the (possible) relo fee go down the drain?? Think Moyes and the creditors are going to be happy getting a lowball offer soved down their throats??

The nauseating prick commish is a pure piece of shit.

Tom said...

Screw the Coyotes. Unless they somehow end up in the Eastern conference, we only play them once a year. I don't care if other billionaire owners are supporting them, or if they can't pay their creditors. I only care about whether the Habs can beat them, or if I happen to have a player or two in my hockey pool.

On to more pressing matters. Does anyone care to move to the U.S.? Apparently, there's a lingerie football league starting up there, and every single yeam needs interns. I say we answer the call, my friends.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/sports/football/Interns-Wanted-for-Lingerie-Football-League.html

Rob said...

10 did you mean buy the Habs..i was confused could you be a little clearer next time..i mean common man.

The other thing i'm not giving a fuck about while were all not really giving a fuck about the Coyotes is the whole Maple fucks's veto rights. While i understand the non competition aspect etc..etc it seems to me like having an old friend who once was a mediocre player (women wise) who lost it long ago but still comes to the Bar with you and has a veto right over which girl you want to take home a drill...it seems fucking outlandish to me..but i guess along with fuck toad Bettman it all makes perfect sense. I hate this league more every day.

Did i mention i don't really give a fuck?

Anonymous said...

You guys really need to check out this website. I just spent about 20 minutes mousing over the picture (you'll see what I mean).

Looks like the site owner doesn't mind you using the app on the right. Be sweet if you could embed it on the page someplace.

Boob Gainey said...

Balsillie is more likely to buy an iPhone than the Habs.

moeman said...

If Balsillie owned the Habs he'd still have to pay a portion of Gretzky's huge coaching contract.

Number31 said...

How is the distance between Montreal and Ottawa different from Hamilton and Toronto and Buffalo. Or Uniondale and New York and Newark. Or Fucking Miami and Fucking Tampa. That theory is moot.