The NHL will soon have a much clearer picture of what Jim Balsillie has planned if the Phoenix Coyotes are allowed to move to Hamilton.
Balsillie was expected to file an application for the relocation of the Phoenix Coyotes with the league Monday night.
It includes intricate details about why he believes the NHL should consider his proposal to purchase the NHL team for US$212.5 million and bring it to southern Ontario.
“We put together all of the elements of the design, the market and updating the facility and stuff like that,” Balsillie said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “It’s an important and comprehensive document. ...
“Really this is all about for me just complying with the league rules and regulations.”
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly declined to comment when contacted by email.
Balsillie, the co-CEO of RIM, is seeking to purchase the Coyotes out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy and move the team to Copps Coliseum as soon as next season.
A key part of his plan is a $150-million renovation to the 24-year-old building that Balsillie believes will make it arguably the “most advanced and modern and complete facility in the NHL.”
The league contends that its bylaws allow it to make final decisions on relocation and that Coyotes majority owner Jerry Moyes has no right to sell the team conditional on a move to southern Ontario because he has no control over that territory.