Since, apparently, Wayne Gretzky was squeezing the Coyotes for all they were worth at every possible angle- and never even signed his contract that was haggled over for years.
((HT: GlobeSports/Waldie, Shoalts))
Through his long-time lawyer, Ron Fujikawa, Mr. Gretzky wound up with a salary of $8-million (U.S.), far more than any other NHL head coach. That came after years of talks in which hockey’s most famous personality demanded such perks as a veto over any potential buyer, a right of first refusal on any offers, and a requirement that the Coyotes continue to pay his salary if he died.
The contentious negotiations were outlined by Jeff Shumway, former Coyotes chairman and governor, and Earl Scudder, one of team owner Jerry Moyes’s lawyers, in declarations filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Gretzky thinks he's owed about US$9-million and was set to be paid US$14.5-million over the next two seasons. But he never had a formal employment contract, just a "deal memo" that dates back to 2006.
Fujikawa put in a provision that demanded Gretzky be paid his salary even if he died. Grtezky also wanted to put a bid in on the Coyotes two years ago- for US$120-million, but didn't want any other bids looked at without his first look-see.
Thiose of us at OSG HQ would like to politely ask: Who in the blue hell does he think he is...? But we already know the answer...
Here's ABC15's coverage of the whole Gretzky/Tippett swap out...
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