((HT: The Star/McGran))The NHL would charge billionaire Jim Balsillie ((pictured with Commissioner Bettman, thanks The Star file)) $100 million (U.S.) as a relocation fee to move the Coyotes to Hamilton.
Balsillie lawyer Susan Freeman let slip the amount — a dollar figure blacked out in all court documents — in a relocation hearing Tuesday.
Judge Redfield Baum said the league was within its rights to charge a "reasonable" fee and to take a "reasonable" length of time to consider Balsillie's applications to buy and move the team.
Balsillie's lawyer suggested the league was dragging its feet on the applications, hoping to freeze out Balsillie, who has threatened to pull his $212.5 million offer to buy the bankrupt team.
Freeman also suggested Balsillie would walk if the $100 million fee was approved by the court. The fee is not set in stone, but may be subject to negotiations.
The judge may order all parties to figure out the relocation fee prior to the June 22 auction, because if Balsillie withdraws, the auction would be moot, as would many of the other arguments laid out Tuesday.
The court spent much time hearing arguments over anti-trust and bankruptcy law.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is on hand for today's sesssion. He is expected to fly to Pittsburgh right after the hearing.
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More when we know more...
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