Decision Day in the Desert?

Judge Redfield T. Baum has been deliberating for the majority of the weekend on the details of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy claim filed by former Coyotes’ owner Jerry Moyes and Research in Motion CEO Jim Balsillie’s attempt to move the team from Phoenix to Hamilton.

While Judge Baum did not tip his hand prior to last Tuesday’s hearing, he did discuss the matter of a relocation fee to be paid to the NHL if the Coyotes are moved to Hamilton.

The NHL’s wish all along has been to keep the team in Arizona.  Most recently, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made court filings stating that there were four investor groups who have offered to purchase the team and keep them in Phoenix, including Toronto Argonauts owners Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon. The league’s contention was that NHL rules governing ownership and the potential movement of a franchise took precedent over any court decisions.

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