OH, those sneaky devils at True North. It's been over six months since they met with NHL executives exploring possible expansion or relocation -- a rather significant development in the ongoing debate about the return of the Winnipeg Jets-or-whatever -- and didn't breathe a word to the locals.
Not a peep.
In the past, True North chairman Mark Chipman acknowledged to having informal dialogue with the NHL, but nothing to indicate any formal meetings had taken place, much less a presentation to the league's heavyweights in New York.
On an invitation from the NHL, no less.
That's quite a feat, actually, to keep such salacious information on the down-low for so long in a community where the return of the NHL is a tinderbox issue. But then Chipman has never made secret of the fact that -- whether the NHL comes back to Winnipeg or not -- he would ensure that the process wouldn't be advertised to the public.
In fact, you know what we've got here, folks? The anti-Balsillie approach to acquiring an NHL franchise. And by that we mean it's tasteful, respectful, humble and private.
By comparison, the attempts made by BlackBerry gazillionaire Jim Balsillie have been the polar opposite -- involving leaked information, open confrontation and defiance of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and even a not-so-subtle hint of legal action.
As we know, Balsillie's initial attempts to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins ended acrimoniously when the entrepreneur found out that relocating the team to southern Ontario was easier speculated than done.
Now it appears the proposed sale of the floundering Nashville Predators to Balsillie has been stalled, too, largely due to the interjection of Bettman, who is loath to see an NHL franchise in the Toronto Maple Leafs' backyard.
But it's not just because of the Leafs. It seems Balsillie's aggressive nature and open defiance of the NHL brass hasn't exactly endeared him to the league's board of governors -- and this despite throwing a reported US$240 million into a dead-end franchise that is siphoning millions from the league's revenue sharing system.
That might have something to do with Balsillie's premature attempt to negotiate for the rights to Copps Coliseum in Hamilton before even officially acquiring the Predators.
Not only that, but making sure that his every move to thumb his nose at the league in general and Bettman in particular was dutifully leaked to the local and national media.
Then surfaced stories about how the Canadian Competition Bureau just might investigate league policies if Balsillie's attempts to move a team into southern Ontario were denied. Something about anti-trust regulations.
Guess where that juicy nugget came from? Right out of Balsillie's camp, that's where, as a shot across the bow to the NHL establishment.
Then there's little ol' Winnipeg. Not a lot of dough -- certainly not the scratch that Balsillie has mounting in his swelling bank account -- and very little in the way of entitlement.
And without question not the pressing need to negotiate through the media.
"Everybody's different," said True North president and CEO Jim Ludlow. "That's not our way of A -- conducting business, or B -- negotiating. Our strategy is exactly the opposite (of Balsillie's)."
"I don't feel like we're being secretive," Chipman added. "But this is a process and I don't understand what value is added to the process by being public about it. You run the risk of getting people's expectations up."
Cost of membership
Not to mention running the risk of alienating the segment of Winnipeg sports fans who are more than satisfied with the Moose product and who cringe at the cost of membership into the NHL's exclusive club.
So we'll see how this tale of two philosophies unfolds. But it is curious to note that Balsillie may have sabotaged his second attempt at acquiring an NHL team while the quiet guys from Winnipeg are still in the mix, regardless of their financial wherewithal.
Humility isn't a currency. But it's not without its value, either.
If this city ever does get an NHL franchise, it won't be because of exaggeration in the selling or even threats of reprisals. It won't be because they promised the moon and delivered blue cheese, as it has been in so many failing markets.
It will be, if it ever happens, because the guys in charge quietly waited their turn, did their homework, and convinced the NHL they would be a solid citizen as a league partner.
There's worse ways to do business, successful or not.
randy.turner@freepress.mb.ca
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