After some deliberation, the Glendale City Council chose the lesser of two evils in approving the terms of an arena lease proposal offered by the group led by Chicago sports honcho Jerry Reinsdorf, Glendale Hockey, while rejecting Ice Edge Holdings’ paltry offer. According to FieldofSchemes.com, Both suitors are seeking considerable tax advantages and kick-backs by the city of Glendale which has been overrun by sports franchises due to its prime location - home of the Cactus League, Superbowls, etc. – and exceptional weather conditions.

One positive in all the negatives that accompany the economic downturn is that it sheds light on business practices and decisions that aren’t rock solid. The NHL’s decision to start a franchise in the desert of Arizona was not rock solid.

Now that the League has bought back the bankrupt team for $140 million, they are eager to unload the financial burden, and no would-be owner will consider stepping in without tax help from the local residents which is already set to the tune of $65 million over 5 years.

Reinsdorf has scored a major victory in the City Council vote, but his group has a no-penalty opt-out clause that could put the deal back to square one if the NHL and Glendale City Manager Ed Beasley aren’t able to convince opponents like the Goldwater Institute that the deal is in the best interest of Arizonans.