PHOENIX -- The NHL could claim a partial victory after a U.S. bankruptcy judge rejected bids by the league and Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes.
Judge Redfield T. Baum yesterday rejected outright Balsillie's offer to purchase the team and move it to Hamilton, Ontario, which
the NHL had vehemently opposed.
The judge upheld the league's right to decide who owns its teams and where they play.
Although Baum also turned down the NHL offer, he left the door open for the league to go ahead and purchase the franchise if it amends its bid to treat Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes and ex-coach Wayne Gretzky more favorably.
The ruling came on the eve of the start of the NHL season and after nearly five months of bitter legal wrangling with Balsillie and Moyes on one side and the NHL and the city of Glendale, where the team plays, on the other.
Balsillie said he would not appeal.
