Wayne Gretzky Weighs in on the Nashville Situation

by user Pbcoyotes

Wayne Gretzky had some interesting comments regarding the Nashville Predators sale to Jim Balsillie and their potential move to Hamilton, Ontario Canada.

Others have written extensively about the subject regarding the move, and I would encourage you to read what they have written. If you are already caught up to speed, the only developments are that technically, there isn’t an application for ownership from Balsillie regarding the Predators, it seems that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman wants the franchise to stay put, and the sale isn’t close to being finalized even though it has been reported that June 30 seems to be some sort of deadline for the sale, ableit non-binding.

Given the history of the franchise here in the desert, Gretzky’s comments had some interest for me. I’m not too concerned at this juncture if a similar fate could befall the Phoenix Coyotes, but anything is possible. However, the lease situation with the arena is substantially different.

For instance, the city of Glendale put forth $180 million on the new arena and the city is not tied to the Coyotes economic swings. The rent on the building is among the lowest in the league, and the team gets all the revenue from the building for 30 years.

Even though I had written some negative things about the Nashville Predators in the playoffs (that were most likely hastily written and if I had thought about it first, the content would have been different), I don't wish the team to move away and want them to stay in Nashville.

The often talked about “escape” clause, that if the Predators do not draw an average 14,000 fans a night that the owner can take the team elsewhere, could very well keep the team in place if the fans and the corporations do the right thing and support the home team. There is a loyal fan base there, but I guess not enough of them, and that is exactly the argument our friends north of the border make regarding the move of the Predators to their part of the country.

Hamilton, and the surrounding cities, would support the team and they have already shown it. However, as those who live in Winnipeg can attest, when a franchise departs (to me, the length of time in a city does not matter), it’s hard on the fans that watch their team(s) leave. I know I would be disappointed.

I have ranted before about supporting the home franchises by attending games, and not just when the former team that one rooted for previously is in town. It’s no secret about my background – I still support the local teams here and that obviously includes the Phoenix Coyotes.

I’m not sure how the events will play out, or whether it’s good for the game or bad. I know that if the situations were reversed, everyone’s positions would change (if the team in Southern Ontario left for the States and vice versa). Professional sports are big business.

Even though I have personally benefited through a franchise moving, I still have empathy for the fans that are left behind. It’s disappointing that it has to happen at all.