Will The Maple Leafs Soon Have Some Company In Toronto?
Tuesday October 21, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
Toronto sports fans are mad for their Maple Leafs - so is there enough love to spread to a new NHL team in this city?
According to a published report National Hockey League governors are considering locating a second hockey team in Toronto alongside the beloved Buds. The man at the centre of this rumour is Research In Motion co-CEO Jim Balsillie, who may be rewarded by the league with an expansion team for providing financial assistance to the Nashville Predators.
Balsillie had wanted to move the Predators to Hamilton but was blocked by the league.
As for whether having a second team in Toronto would help or hurt the Leafs, one NHL governor who spoke anonymously in the report suggested it would only help the existing team because of the money that would come in from renting the Air Canada Centre to the second franchise.
At least one hockey fan, Dan Huck, was excited by the prospect of another NHL team in this city.
"Right now you can't get a ticket if you're an average Joe, right? It's all corporate," he mused. "Give the real fans a chance to see some NHL."
Pat was less enthusiastic, suggesting, "The Leafs are a Toronto team, we should only have one team."
Balsillie so far hasn't commented on the report.
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Not everything I post or say on foro are necesarily true facts. <- THAT is a fact! :blankstare: