Quote (Madmartigan @ Mar 18 2020 02:40pm)
$5 million in fines seems like such a small penalty for a rich owner in any pro sport.
Just sell a major stake of the Arizona Coyotes to Tillman Fertitta already. We'll take it!
I think ultimately he'll receive a small percent of ownership to play at Toyota Center.
But seriously, billionaire Alex Meruelo can handle it. He'll come to Houston if there's no new arena deal.
I'm feeling very good about the Coyotes relocating to Houston. The Arizona taxpayers won't fund it.
I'm ready to watch the NHL full time. I'll never miss a game if they come to Houston.
Its not as simple as just selling off part or all of the team and moving.
The owners and commissioner have to approve the sale, which is only the first obstacle.
the second would be the league willingness to allow a team where they are the only hockey team in the state, to a different state that already has one.
after that, the existing arena must be outfitted for hockey, which is no small feat, they would need to rip up floor, install refrigeration units underneath, outfit several front rows with the ability to be removed for the dasher boards, glass, netting, etc. its a HUGE job, and will cost several million dollars.
My point here is that, while the coyotes are probably the top relocation candidate at this time; i would not hold your breath. Even after the approval of any sale, it would take SEVERAL years before Houston would sniff the NHL.
Quote (Madmartigan @ Mar 18 2020 02:51pm)
Fair enough, but Alex Meruelo has only owned a majority stake of the Arizona Coyotes for how long? Not even a full year yet. I doubt he's lost that much money in so little time. It's not like he's been there for years and years. He's got a $2 billion dollar net worth. Astros owner Jim Crane has a net worth of $2.5 billion.
I'm just saying that $5 million to men like that isn't much is it? They can handle it. I know the Coyotes are hurting financially, low home attendance and need a new arena. I thought Gary Bettman promised Meruelo he can relocate the Coyotes to another city if Arizona doesn't give him his new arena. And Meruelo can easily recoup any financial losses by moving them to Houston and allowing Tillman Fertitta to become part of his ownership group.
Also, i believe the TEAM was fined, not the OWNER, im not certain on the rules of fine payments, and how they can be paid. I'd imagine the payment would have to come from the team, and not the owners own pockets.
Otherwise filthy rich owners would constantly do scumming shit, and just pay for it, where other owners who might not be quite as filthy rich cannot take that risk.
The NHL is not like basketball or baseball where scummy shit happens and then the filthy rich just pay it off and life moves on.
Stuff like that doesnt happen in the NHL, for the most part rules are followed and teams rarely get fined.
This post was edited by Queefy on Mar 18 2020 03:58pm