This has nothing to do with the league having its authority bypassed. This has to do with Bettman trying to keep teams in non hockey markets.Bad enough the league has about 9 more teams than it needs,but 4 of those are operating in the red.Phoenix is bankrupt,nashville and florida dont have a pot to ***** in.Tampa and
Carolina(even with a cup win) can barely make payroll.Phoenix as a hockey city blew it,doesnt need a second chance in this ecomony.
Plus operational cost alone will sink them.Hamilton is a great hockey town and has a guy with deep pockets behind it.Besides there over 100 pro hockey clubs(NHL,AHL,OHL,OJHL,QJHL) between rochester/Buffalo/hamilton/toronto/montreal territory,one more isnt going to hurt.If anything it forces the Sabres and Leafs to put a better product on the ice to boost attendence.