Thursday, June 19, 2008

 

The NHL vs. MSG. It's Getting Nasty!

Gary Bettman is a classic case of someone with Napoleon Syndrome. You know, a short little runt that has an insatiable taste for power to make up for his physical shortcomings.

Case in point is his personal vendetta (And it IS personal, believe you me) versus MSG for control over their ... website.

Yes, MSG dared not to become part of the NHL.com collective, and actually likes to do its own thing. While I think it is better for the Rangers to be part of the whole NHL.com thing, I respect the fact that they want to have their own voice.

The NHL, not liking anyone to step out of line, is threatening some serious legal action.

From the National Post:
The National Hockey League is threatening to strip Madison Square Garden of its ownership of the New York Rangers, WNBC reported Thursday.

According to the report, the NHL is seeking to punish MSG for accusing the league of violating anti-trust laws. On Wednesday, the NHL filed court papers that included a letter from commissioner Gary Bettman notifying MSG that it has begun disciplinary proceedings against the organization.

The league and the Rangers have feuded over control of the team's web site. In September, Madison Square Garden sued the NHL, saying it violated antitrust laws by monopolizing control of team promotions. However, a judge ruled in November that the league was within its right to take control of the web site.

In Wednesday's court filing, the league asked a judge to agree that MSG breached its contract by challenging NHL rules. The NHL further claimed that it can force MSG out of the league.


I am amazed that the judge sided with the league. Shouldn't the team be able to control its own frickin website? Geezus.

The Dolans are rich and powerful, and I am amazed Bettman is throwing such a hissy fit over a website. Do you really think he's going to kick MSG out of the league? I just can't see it happening.

Just call this what it is, rich men with small penises who can't stand to lose control. This is just a small example of why the human race is going to eventually wipe itself out ... people just cannot share.

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Comments:
It's great to see Bettman furthering the cause of marketing the NHL. Its an ever decreasing Christmas card list.
 
So it's good for the league to have a member team sue it whenever they didn't get their way? What a terrifically run league that would be with everyone suing each other.

It's not like Bettman just order every team to turn over their websites. The owners voted something like 28-2 to go to the centralized web format (just like the NFL, NBA, and MLB). To sue the league when you don't get your way in a vote is pretty childish if you ask me.

In the end though the league isn't going to revoke Dolan's/MSG's ownership they will be fined or suspended. Yes revocation is an option that the BOG has but that seems to be extreme.
 
1) So what IF the NHL forces the Dolans to sell? They also own the arena the rangers play in(MSG) Would/could Dolan say screw you, get out of my rink? How would it look to have the marquis/most profitable US based team be without a home to play?
 
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