Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Media & Entertainment Law Blogs -> Sports Biz

Media & Entertainment Law

: Sports Biz

As the NHL Turns

In the latest installment of the continuing soap opera that is the relationship between Jimmy Dolan and Gary Bettman, the NHL has significantly upped the ante in the antitrust suit filed by Madison Square Garden and the Rangers against the NHL. In a counter-claim filed last week, the NHL seeks the approval of the Court to strip Madison Square Garden of the Rangers, asking the Court to approve internal league disciplinary measures that would lead to a forced sale of the Rangers.

The NHL contends that the Garden has violated several league rules to which it consented as a prerequisite for franchise ownership - including one that prohibits member clubs from taking the league to court, as MSG has done three times since last September. In an announcement of the filing the league also indicated that it would be seeking compensatory damages, which would undoubtedly include at least its legal fees since the MSG began the suit last year.

What's a little litigation between loved ones? The earlier the league can find a buyer for the Rangers and get MSG out of its hair the better. The problem is even if they can find a buyer, where will the team play, if not the Garden? If it is the Garden, then do you want a pissed off Dolan as your landlord? I don't know which is worse, an incompetent Dolan as owner, or a pissed off Dolan as landlord doing what he can to wreck your tenant. It's not a great position to find yourself but I'm sure that Bettman will find a way to make it worse - he usually does.

Full post as published by Sports Biz on June 23, 2008 (boomark / email).