Tweet
Madison Square Garden sues NHL
Associated Press
9/28/2007 6:02:52 PM
NEW YORK - The NHL violated antitrust laws and is acting like "an illegal cartel" by monopolizing control of team promotions, Madison Square Garden claimed in a lawsuit Friday.
MSG, which owns the New York Rangers, said it filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan because the NHL would begin fining the organization US$100,000 per day starting Friday if the company did not give the league complete control over the Rangers' Web site and other promotions.
The league is seeking to control the licensing of teams for all commercial purposes and to stop teams from marketing apparel, merchandise and memorabilia, the suit said. MSG asked that a judge order the league to stop limiting team promotions, and it also wants the court to clarify the boundaries of the league's rights.
The company said the NHL had once worked with teams in a legitimate joint venture but had more recently "veered into unlawful behaviour."
"By seeking to control the competitive activities of independent businesses in ways that are not necessary to the functioning of that legitimate joint venture, the NHL has become an illegal cartel," the suit said.
Scott Arthur Eggers, a lawyer for the NHL, said he had no comment.
The lawsuit said the NHL insisted last week that MSG transfer control over the Rangers independently produced Web site, including the "nyrangers.com" address so that the league could convert it into one of 30 "cookie-cutter" club Web sites at "nhl.com."
The lawsuit said MSG had spent years developing the site to market Rangers hockey in competition with other NHL teams. By seizing the site, the NHL would eliminate competition between teams and harm consumers.
"The NHL has no competitive justification for seizing the Rangers Web site, which MSG today uses as a competitive tool to generate and maintain fan interest in the Rangers in competition with other NHL teams," MSG said.
At the start of the playoffs last spring, MSG said it increased its competitive offerings by making Rangers-branded merchandise available through the Rangers Web site rather than a catalogue, and by making Rangers games available to subscribers on its Web site.
The NHL forced MSG to withdraw the efforts when it imposed a penalty of US$100,000 per day, MSG said. When the company refused to pay the fines, the league withheld $200,000 from third-party payments otherwise due MSG, the lawsuit said.
MSG gave in to the league's demands because it did not want to detract from the playoffs and it hoped that it could negotiate a solution to NHL actions it thought were unwise and illegal, it said. "That hope was in vain," the lawsuit said.
Associated Press
9/28/2007 6:02:52 PM
NEW YORK - The NHL violated antitrust laws and is acting like "an illegal cartel" by monopolizing control of team promotions, Madison Square Garden claimed in a lawsuit Friday.
MSG, which owns the New York Rangers, said it filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan because the NHL would begin fining the organization US$100,000 per day starting Friday if the company did not give the league complete control over the Rangers' Web site and other promotions.
The league is seeking to control the licensing of teams for all commercial purposes and to stop teams from marketing apparel, merchandise and memorabilia, the suit said. MSG asked that a judge order the league to stop limiting team promotions, and it also wants the court to clarify the boundaries of the league's rights.
The company said the NHL had once worked with teams in a legitimate joint venture but had more recently "veered into unlawful behaviour."
"By seeking to control the competitive activities of independent businesses in ways that are not necessary to the functioning of that legitimate joint venture, the NHL has become an illegal cartel," the suit said.
Scott Arthur Eggers, a lawyer for the NHL, said he had no comment.
The lawsuit said the NHL insisted last week that MSG transfer control over the Rangers independently produced Web site, including the "nyrangers.com" address so that the league could convert it into one of 30 "cookie-cutter" club Web sites at "nhl.com."
The lawsuit said MSG had spent years developing the site to market Rangers hockey in competition with other NHL teams. By seizing the site, the NHL would eliminate competition between teams and harm consumers.
"The NHL has no competitive justification for seizing the Rangers Web site, which MSG today uses as a competitive tool to generate and maintain fan interest in the Rangers in competition with other NHL teams," MSG said.
At the start of the playoffs last spring, MSG said it increased its competitive offerings by making Rangers-branded merchandise available through the Rangers Web site rather than a catalogue, and by making Rangers games available to subscribers on its Web site.
The NHL forced MSG to withdraw the efforts when it imposed a penalty of US$100,000 per day, MSG said. When the company refused to pay the fines, the league withheld $200,000 from third-party payments otherwise due MSG, the lawsuit said.
MSG gave in to the league's demands because it did not want to detract from the playoffs and it hoped that it could negotiate a solution to NHL actions it thought were unwise and illegal, it said. "That hope was in vain," the lawsuit said.
WTH?
Oh, and while we're at it, let's throw a rookie under the bus...
NHL hands Downie a 20-game suspension
TSN.ca Staff
9/28/2007 8:03:30 PM
The National Hockey League has handed down its verdict on the Philedelphia Flyers forward Steve Downie.
NHL Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell announced on Friday that the league has suspended Downie for 20 games for his hit on Ottawa Senators forward Dean McAmmond in Thursday's exhibition game between the two teams. Downie will forfeit $63,101 during his suspension.
''Over the last several months, the league has met with players, coaches, general managers and owners on the subject of hits to the head,'' said Campbell in a statement.
''While all of the stakeholders in our league agree that hitting is an important part of the essence of the NHL game, all were also unanimous in the belief that where a player deliberately targets an opponent's head, the conduct should be subject to review and the possible assessment of supplemental discipline.''
Downie will miss the first 20 regular season and/or playoff games (in addition to the last Flyers' pre-season game - Saturday against the New York Rangers) that he is a member of the Flyers' 23-man roster. In the event the Flyers send Downie to the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL, he will be considered automatically inelligible to play pending a review. AHL commissioner David Andrews will determine whether or not to uphold the NHL's suspension, change it, or throw it out all together.
If Downie remains with the Flyers and all 20 games are served in the regular season, he would be eligible to return to the Flyers on Nov. 23 for a home game against the Washington Capitals. The following day, the Flyers visit Ottawa's Scotiabank Place again to face the Senators.
It is the fifth longest suspension handed down by the league. New York Islanders' Chris Simon holds the longest penalty - 25 games - for his two-handed stick attack to the face of Ryan Hollweg of the New York Rangers last season.
''It is clear that, while Mr. Downie is not a repeat offender, all of the other factors identified as being particularly relevant in determining the appropriateness of discipline were involved in Downie's hit on Mr. McAmmond," Campbell added. "The hit was deliberate, dangerous and has no place in our league."
Senators general manager Bryan Murray was content with the league's decision.
''The primary concern of our organization was, and continues to be, the health of Dean McAmmond,'' Murray said. ''We feel the number of games of the suspension is appropriate, and the NHL has sent the correct message to address the severity of hits to the head like this one.''
McAmmond, who was released from hospital on Wednesday, also offered his opinion on the league's decision.
''I feel the ruling is strong enough to prevent these things from happening in the future," he said. "At this point, the NHL needs to a make a statement to try to protect players, and I hope that a suspension of this length will do that successfully.''
The Flyers were leading 2-1 in the game when, at the 2:39 mark of the second period, Downie skated the length of the ice and took a run at McAmmond. The NHL veteran just released the puck while circling behind the Flyers' net and was met by Downie coming around the other side. Downie also appeared to leave his feet as he flattened the veteran. The jarring hit came moments after Downie was checked into the glass by Ottawa's Christoph Schubert in the Senators' zone.
McAmmond was carried off on a stretcher, and the Senators announced earlier this week that there was a concussion and some muscle damage but no fractures.
He also suffered a concussion after a hit by Anaheim defenceman Chris Pronger in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final last June. He's now had three concussions in four years.
Downie gained a reputation at the junior level for some nasty play, but following Thursday's game said the hit wasn't pre-meditated, nor did he intend to go for McAmmond's head.
TSN.ca Staff
9/28/2007 8:03:30 PM
The National Hockey League has handed down its verdict on the Philedelphia Flyers forward Steve Downie.
NHL Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell announced on Friday that the league has suspended Downie for 20 games for his hit on Ottawa Senators forward Dean McAmmond in Thursday's exhibition game between the two teams. Downie will forfeit $63,101 during his suspension.
''Over the last several months, the league has met with players, coaches, general managers and owners on the subject of hits to the head,'' said Campbell in a statement.
''While all of the stakeholders in our league agree that hitting is an important part of the essence of the NHL game, all were also unanimous in the belief that where a player deliberately targets an opponent's head, the conduct should be subject to review and the possible assessment of supplemental discipline.''
Downie will miss the first 20 regular season and/or playoff games (in addition to the last Flyers' pre-season game - Saturday against the New York Rangers) that he is a member of the Flyers' 23-man roster. In the event the Flyers send Downie to the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL, he will be considered automatically inelligible to play pending a review. AHL commissioner David Andrews will determine whether or not to uphold the NHL's suspension, change it, or throw it out all together.
If Downie remains with the Flyers and all 20 games are served in the regular season, he would be eligible to return to the Flyers on Nov. 23 for a home game against the Washington Capitals. The following day, the Flyers visit Ottawa's Scotiabank Place again to face the Senators.
It is the fifth longest suspension handed down by the league. New York Islanders' Chris Simon holds the longest penalty - 25 games - for his two-handed stick attack to the face of Ryan Hollweg of the New York Rangers last season.
''It is clear that, while Mr. Downie is not a repeat offender, all of the other factors identified as being particularly relevant in determining the appropriateness of discipline were involved in Downie's hit on Mr. McAmmond," Campbell added. "The hit was deliberate, dangerous and has no place in our league."
Senators general manager Bryan Murray was content with the league's decision.
''The primary concern of our organization was, and continues to be, the health of Dean McAmmond,'' Murray said. ''We feel the number of games of the suspension is appropriate, and the NHL has sent the correct message to address the severity of hits to the head like this one.''
McAmmond, who was released from hospital on Wednesday, also offered his opinion on the league's decision.
''I feel the ruling is strong enough to prevent these things from happening in the future," he said. "At this point, the NHL needs to a make a statement to try to protect players, and I hope that a suspension of this length will do that successfully.''
The Flyers were leading 2-1 in the game when, at the 2:39 mark of the second period, Downie skated the length of the ice and took a run at McAmmond. The NHL veteran just released the puck while circling behind the Flyers' net and was met by Downie coming around the other side. Downie also appeared to leave his feet as he flattened the veteran. The jarring hit came moments after Downie was checked into the glass by Ottawa's Christoph Schubert in the Senators' zone.
McAmmond was carried off on a stretcher, and the Senators announced earlier this week that there was a concussion and some muscle damage but no fractures.
He also suffered a concussion after a hit by Anaheim defenceman Chris Pronger in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final last June. He's now had three concussions in four years.
Downie gained a reputation at the junior level for some nasty play, but following Thursday's game said the hit wasn't pre-meditated, nor did he intend to go for McAmmond's head.
Ugly hit? Yes. However, no stick swinging, no broken necks (thankfully). It was a hit, not a foul that would have prosecutors outside the league looking at the case.
I would gather that his status as a non-roster player making a stupid, reckless play against an established player is factoring in somewhere. As is the leagues desire to cut down on 'head shots.'
Comment