TSN Insider Dave Naylor On Coyotes Latest In Return To Winnipeg:

Hulsizer's offer 'final,' Goldwater snubbed
By: Gary Lawless

Posted: 03/8/2011

Despite reports from Phoenix area media outlets, Matthew Hulsizer will not change his deal with the City of Glendale in his attempts to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.

"I am prepared to honor my deal, which is lawful," Hulsizer told the Globe and Mail's David Shoalts in an e-mail Tuesday. "It's a free market, so if someone else wants to step in they should."

Hulsizer has been trying to close a deal with the NHL for some time but has not received the $100 million the City of Glendale has pledged to him to help finance the $170 million purchase price the NHL is demanding for the franchise.

NHL Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly are in Phoenix and will deliver an update on the transaction prior to the Coyotes game against the Vancouver Canucks.

It is unknown whether the two are going there to try and make a last-ditch effort to save the Phoenix Coyotes or to inform the City of Glendale the NHL will begin exploring other options for the league-owned franchise.

Bettman and Daly were scheduled to meet with Glendale officials, and potentially with the Goldwater Institute. Goldwater has opposed the arrangement struck between Glendale and potential owner Matthew Hulsizer.

Any meetings with Goldwater would have to be held publicly with members of the media invited as stipulated by CEO Darcy Olsen in a letter issued on Monday. Glendale has threatened to sue Goldwater for tortious interference due to the institute's insistence the deal between city and Hulsizer contravenes Arizona's state gift clause law.

Goldwater has warned investors they may sue and in doing so made it difficult for Glendale to sell a $116 bond issue the city needs in order to raise $100 million in cash they have pledged to Hulsizer to help him meet the $170-million purchase price.

The league bought the team out of bankruptcy for $140 million and have accumulated losses in the neighbourhood of $30 million while operating the club.

The league has been in the position to exercise its relocation option since Dec. 31st.

True North Sports and Entertainment is considered the front-runner to purchase and move the team to Winnipeg should the league determine it cannot reach a favourable outcome in Glendale.

Bettman and Daly have not been in contact with Goldwater according to a statement released by institute CEO Darcy Olsen late Tuesday.

"Many members of the media have asked if we have met or plan to meet with Commissioner Bettman or any representatives from the NHL today. We have not met with anyone from the NHL, Glendale, or Matthew Hulsizer this week," wrote Olsen.

"Monday morning, we extended an invitation to Mayor Elaine Scruggs, Commissioner Bettman, and Mr. Hulsizer to gather for a meeting that would be open to journalists to ensure transparency for the public. To-date, only Mr. Hulsizer has indicated an interest in meeting. We have no information regarding current negotiations between the City of Glendale, the NHL, and Mr. Hulsizer. Whatever the outcome, we continue to hope that all parties will respect the Constitution and render legal action unnecessary."

Bring'Em Back

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Tags:

• winnipeg
• jets
• nhl
• gary
• bettman
• phoenix
• coyotes
• tsn
• mark
• chipman
• manitoba
• moose
• teemu
• selanne

[HerculesMays]

Whoot this sounds like the decision is coming up rly soon i do hope the Jets come back to Winnipeg the players want it even and they would be supported by the richest man in Canada also they would be making cash in Winnipeg unlike in phoenix

[bluebear1985]

A couple of quotes from players for the team helps prove what we've known all along: the fans want the team up north and the players want the team up north. What is it going to take for the National Hockey League to get the message through?

[WinnipegJetsFan22]

still waiting on the annoucment