Bring the Jets Back to Winnipeg

From CTV.ca:

A bankruptcy judge has rejected Jim Balsillie's bid to relocate the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton, but the Canadian billionaire is not giving up.

Arizona bankruptcy judge Redfield Baum said the possibility of the team's relocation presented significant issues for the court.

"There are no reported bankruptcy court decisions ordering a relocation of the magnitude proposed here," he said.

Baum also said the issue of a relocation fee -- in which Balsillie would have to pay millions of dollars to the NHL for the right to move the Coyotes to Ontario -- had not been resolved.

Finally, he said the court "is unconvinced that it should order that the NHL must decide the relocation application to meet the June 29th deadline." Balsillie had set that deadline for his $212.5-million offer to expire.

A spokesperson for Balsillie, Bill Walker, said his client was still seeking to bring a seventh NHL team to Canada.

From the Winnipeg Sun:

Without saying a word, Jim Balsillie extinguished any notion a former hockey team might find its way home soon.

Balsillie, the Research in Motion co-CEO who is currently engaged in a much-publicized court battle with the National Hockey League regarding the US$212.5 million purchase and subsequent relocation of the Phoenix Coyotes to southern Ontario, fielded business questions from students and faculty in a room packed with local media at the Asper School of Business yesterday.

Hockey questions need not apply, though.

The BlackBerry boss passed up on -- or wasn't interested in -- an opportunity to introduce himself to Winnipeg hockey fans by avoiding questions about the NHL and Winnipeg's chances in his hour-long presentation.

"Come on, guys," he said after one of the attempts.
...

Twice faced with queries regarding the possibility of him bringing the Coyotes to Winnipeg (should an Arizona court grant him custody in the bankruptcy case), Balsillie laughed nervously and rolled his eyes, moving on by simply taking another question from the small gathering.

To be fair, the media invite issued by the University of Manitoba did indicate only questions relating to the award would be accepted.

Despite the elephant with the hockey stick in the room, students at the Asper School of Business thought Balsillie handled the situation well.

"I didn't think it was the time or place to talk about it," said Brian Ingram. "He's here to receive an award that has to do with business, so he's in the right to avoid the question. He's never once said he's going to move the team to Winnipeg ... why would he have to answer questions about something he's never said he's going to do?"

From TSN.

"Gary Bettman would prefer to see the Phoenix Coyotes move to Winnipeg than Hamilton, according to court documents filed as part of the NHL team's bankruptcy case.

A lawyer who works for Coyotes majority owner Jerry Moyes says the NHL commissioner told him that last month after he contacted the league to let it know that there was a Canadian purchaser who was interested in moving the team to southern Ontario.

In an affidavit filed Friday, Earl Scudder says that Bettman informed him Hamilton wasn't an ideal destination because Copps Coliseum is over 30 years old, saying "if the team did return to Canada, it would be to Winnipeg."

The franchise moved to Phoenix from the Manitoba capital in 1996."

The Winnipeg Jets left for Phoenix in 1996, where they became the Coyotes.
Unfortunately, it appears that the franchise is struggling in Phoenix. On May 5, 2009, the Coyotes filed for bankruptcy.

It is always sad when a city loses a franchise and it now seems that the Coyotes may leave Phoenix. We sympathize with the fans in Phoenix. Losing a team you have supported for years is heartbreaking.

Billionaire Jim Balsillie has offered to purchase the Coyotes if he is allowed to move the franchise to Southern Ontario. The City of Hamilton is said to be Balsillie's choice.
Hamilton would be a great place for an NHL team and we believe that Hamilton should receive a team.

However, if the Phoenix Coyotes are to leave Phoenix and move to Canada, we feel the team should move back to Winnipeg, where it originated.
The City of Winnipeg never stopped loving the Jets and we appeal to Jim Balsillie or whoever purchases the team to return the Jets to their true home.

If you agree, please sign the petition.