The latest chapter in the Coyotes ownership fiasco opened this week with a new twist on an old storyline.
It was confirmed this week in the local newspaper that the Glendale Hockey, LLC group is back in play to purchase the Coyotes. But what’s different this time is that Chicago sports magnate Jerry Reinsdorf is not the “face” of the group, instead it’s his right hand man, John Kaites.
While this latest twist has been, and will be, met mostly with a yawn (as most things are in this situation nowadays), a larger question is starting to arise amongst fans and pundits…
What about Greg? (As in former San Jose Sharks executive Greg Jamison)
According to the last reports we received, Jamison and his clan had pretty much done all the dirty work while the National Hockey League was just double-checking to make sure there were no characters of the shady variety in the group.
From that point forward one would assume (if it were safe to assume anything in this saga anymore) that all Jamison’s group had to do was don’t the I’s, cross the T’s, cut the check and let the media know that they officially pulled off what, at times, seemed like the impossible.
So what does the addition of Kaites’ group do to this situation? Is it possible that the whole sale process is being slowed down now that two groups are back in the running for the team again?
From a purely business standpoint, having two parties interested in purchasing the team is a great thing for the NHL. Such a situation creates a bidding war and if the league can get back a few extra million off the sale of the Coyotes, then better for them.
But the million dollar question (no pun intended) that the fans have is, “when does the seemingly endless kicking of the tires end?”
It’s understandable that the league doesn’t want to scare away the bidders and be left with an empty bag, but at what point does the NHL tell Kaites and his group “either make us an offer or move on”?
Both the Glendale Hockey group and the Jamison group are good and competent candidates to take over the ship. Reinsdorf brings his years of experience in pro sports, while Jamison has his own NHL experience, plus the group’s deep pockets.
But if the league is dealing with two interested parties now, one would have to assume that all the talks are slowing down the negotiations at a time when the Coyotes’ brand becomes more and more battered due to ownership uncertainty.
And if the league doesn’t put its foot down soon and move forward with a sale, then that battered brand may become damaged beyond repair.
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