[VioletlightHeron]

I don't know how Balsillie would go about challenging the NHL's territorial rule (A US judge would probably throw it out on anti-trust grounds in a heartbeat) and I think any owner would have a hard time getting a team to Hamilton, I still feel that dealing with MLSE alone would be the worst option. The scenario I see is this: Balsillie (or whomever) gets a team and gets an agreement with MLSE for renting out the ACC for games. I'd bet since MLSE owns the ACC, they would take a significant chunk of the new team's concession and ticket revenue as part of the rental agreement. MLSE would essentially get a third or more of the new team's revenue without having to pay out payroll expenses and the like. Plus I think it would be very hard for a new owner to get a new arena built in Toronto because of the strong financial pull of the Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan. I'm more inclined to think the Preds, the Coyotes or Columbus would be better off in Winnipeg or Quebec. I'd love to see a new team in the Hamilton area, but the odds are against it. With regards to Bettman, doesn't he or the NHL board of governors have to approve any sale? I get the feeling that Bettman hates Balsillie so much that he'll do whatever he can to prevent him from owning a team.