The relationship with Wayne Gretzky that the NHL claims to hold near and dear has become so strained in the wake of the league’s decision last week not to guarantee even a nickel of the $8.2 million in deferred money owed to No. 99 for his last three seasons behind the Phoenix bench, that Gretzky might cancel plans to attend next Monday’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Toronto, Slap Shots has learned.
We’re told by a well-placed source that Gretzky is livid that the NHL refused to amend its purchase proposal to include him as a guaranteed creditor even after the commissioner’s office and league attorneys studied the issue for three days following its presentation to the court at the beginning of last week.
As it stands, and as Gretzky was informed through a third party on Wednesday night, No. 99 will have to battle with owner Jerry Moyes, the city of Glendale, Ariz., and a concessionaire for his portion of the approximately $11M pool for creditors created within the NHL purchase proposal that is expected to be approved tomorrow by Phoenix judge Redfield Baum.
Gretzky, who resigned early in training camp, actually is owed $22.5 million under terms of his contract to the coach the team. But the part owner is seeking just the $8.2 million he agreed to defer the last three years. We’re told that Gretzky was amenable to a settlement for a portion of that amount, but that the NHL offered nothing.
Actually, the NHL does seem to be offering words in support of Gretzky, even if action speaks louder. The league at this point appears to be offering talk, which obviously is much cheaper than $8.2 million.
“The decision was made this summer when the League decided to make a bid to purchase that it couldn’t assume Wayne’s contract. That was discussed with Wayne and his people before we filed our bid and they understood the rationale,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote in an e-mail to Slap Shots on Friday night.
“That doesn’t mean he has to go it alone. We committed to him that we would do everything possible to get him paid outside the bankruptcy process,” Daly added. “We have suggested our willingness to pursue claims on his behalf and assist him in pursuing his own claims. And he remains able to seek recovery out of the pot of money that will be paid to the bankrupt estate.”
So the NHL claims it will assist the greatest assist man who ever has laced up a pair of skates but it will not guarantee he will get his money even after all of the untold revenue he produced for the league both directly and indirectly in the form of expansion fees from warm-weather markets made possible by Gretzky’s success in Los Angeles.
Gary Bettman will appear on television to tell everyone he has reached out to Gretzky to tell him the league would welcome his contribution in whatever way is best for No. 99 whenever it is time for No. 99, but the commissioner will not add $8.2 million to the Phoenix purchase price of $140 million . . . that the league will recoup when it flips the franchise.
Gretzky could have filed a motion in court by Friday to stop the sale from going through. He chose not to do so. That’s not surprising, given Gretzky’s non-confrontational style. The last thing he wants is a public food fight with Bettman or the league (or, for that matter, the Players’ Association that called him out behind closed doors over the summer).
But make no mistake. Gretzky is outraged. He believes Bettman and the league are taking advantage of him and his nature.
We’re told No. 99 had been looking forward to attending the Hall of Fame inductions of one-time teammates Brian Leetch, Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille; Team Canada colleague and friend, Steve Yzerman; and Lou Lamoriello, also a friend.
Now, though, Gretzky is reconsidering, furious over what he perceives as a lack of respect from a league that always will use him to spread goodwill but doesn’t return it in a concrete manner.
Increasing the league purchase offer to $148.2 million would have come at an additional cost of $282,758.12 for each of the 29 teams that are temporarily footing the bill, under $285,000 a team.
The cost of alienating Gretzky, however, is incalculable.