Judge rejects offers made in Coyotes sale

PHOENIX, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- A bankruptcy judge Wednesday rejected a bid to buy the Phoenix Coyotes by a Canadian businessman who had hoped to move the team to Hamilton, Ontario.

The judge also turned down an attempt by the NHL to purchase the franchise, but said he would reconsider the league's offer if more compensation was made to bankrupt owner Jerry Moyes and former Coach Wayne Gretzky.

The Coyotes are scheduled to open their season in Los Angeles Saturday amid continuing concerns about their future.

Moyes filed for bankruptcy in May and the fate of the team landed in the hands of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Redfield T. Baum.

Jim Balsille offered to buy the franchise for more than $200 million but he made clear his plans included a move of the team to Hamilton. The NHL voted to reject Balsille's bid, but his offer remained on the table while Baum decided what was best for the creditors.

Chicago sports mogul Jerry Reinsdorf originally put in a bid as well, and then withdrew it. When Reinsdorf stepped aside, the league made its own offer to take over the team.

Baum said Wednesday the NHL had the right to reject Balsille's offer and that, in fact, it would no longer be considered by the court. The judge said, however, he would reconsider the NHL offer if additional compensation is forthcoming to Moyes and Gretzky.

"In hockey parlance," Baum wrote, "the court is passing the puck to the NHL, who can decide to take another shot at the sale net or it can pass off the puck."