I'm extremely sorry for not reporting this on time, but I have had some recent internet troubles and been busy with a few other things.

Reported back on July 21, Gary Bettman is being accused by Jim Balsillie of stepping in and stopping the sale of the Preditors from current owner Craig Leipold to Balsillie. The cause seems to be from Balsillie's desire to move the team to Canada.

After the league tried to force last minute regulation on Balsillie last year when he had been initially approved as the new owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins (one of which would have forced him to keep the team in Pittsburgh), Balsillie pulled out of the deal.

Now Balsillie is starting to provide base evidence of Bettman ordering Leipold to "cease and desist" from negotiations with Balsillie.

Within the story there are several claims hearsay evidence to show Bettmans interferience and has yet to recieve a response from Bettman, but denials were issued through league spokesman Gary Meagher.

With these accusations in hand, Bettman and the entire Preds sale fiasco is going for review before the Board of Governors. No date has been set for the review, the board will not meet until September in Chicago.

Much of these tampering allegations are based off Bettman's vision for a league extended all over America. And to see one of his expansion markets fail and move to Canada would reflect badly on his vision and pressure to fulfuill that vision.

These allegation are very series and could end up damaging severly a league that has not fully recovered from its lockout 2 years ago. It could also lead to Bettman's dismissal by the league which would play on top of the recent NHLPA executive problems. And though it may not seem as big as dog fighting or officals gambling, this could hurt the league beyond repair and who knows what will happen from there.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2943692&campaign=rss&source=NHLHeadlines

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