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Nashville Doesn't Take to the Ice

Canadian billionaire may move Predators north of the border

By Jesse Andrews,  Newser User

Posted May 25, 2007 4:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – BlackBerry magnate Jim Balsillie will pay $220 million for the Nashville Predators, one of the NHL's best and lowest-revenue teams, and likely move them out of Tennessee. Possible new homes include Kansas City, which is courting teams for its new arena, and Kitchener-Waterloo and Hamilton in Ontario, threatening the theft of fans of nearby Toronto and Buffalo.

Balsillie had failed earlier this year to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won two Stanley Cups in the early 1990s; the Predators proved easier to pry from their hometown, despite three straight quarterfinal appearances.  "I cannot make it work here," said outgoing owner Craig Leipold.

In this March 7, 2007 file photo, Research in Motion Co-Ceo Jim Balsillie addresses a business group in Ottawa. Nashville Predators owner Craig Leipold signed a letter of intent Thursday to the team to Balsillie for $220 million. (AP Photo/Jonathan Hayward, CP,File)
In this March 7, 2007 file photo, Research in Motion Co-Ceo Jim Balsillie addresses a business group in Ottawa. Nashville Predators owner Craig Leipold signed a letter of intent Thursday to the team to...   (Associated Press)
Nashville Predators coach Barry Trotz, top center, instructs his team during the third period of the Predators' 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks in Game 4 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series in San Jose, Calif., in this April 18, 2007 file photo. Predators general manager David Poile...
Nashville Predators coach Barry Trotz, top center, instructs his team during the third period of the Predators' 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks in Game 4 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series in...   (Associated Press)
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