The last few months have been rich with current events stories involving negotiations that appear to be relatively contained. Notable in this category is the Toronto City workers strike. Maybe it is the micro-scale complexity that I am enjoying. Another of these stories–which my clients and students have benefited–is Jim Balsillie’s pursuit of an NHL team, and more specifically, a team that operates out of SW Ontario. (Full disclosure: As a fan whose fanaticism has waned under far-away expansion, I would love to see another team close by. Any critique is intended to be constructive.)

This week, I took the opportunity to respond to an editorial in the print edition of the National Post. Here is what was printed:

Re: ‘Integrity’ A Foreign Concept At The NHL, Kelly McParland, Aug. 12.

Kelly McParland is right on. Lack of “integrity” is a very weak argument to keep Jim Balsillie out of the NHL owner’s circle. The much stronger argument is that league commissioner Gary Bettman and the owners don’t like him. Balsillie’s competitive/ combative approach has strained, perhaps irreparably, key relationships with league decision-makers and influencers.

As in many instances, it is not enough to have a good game plan — you have to get a buy-in from your stakeholders. I give Jim Balsillie full points on the former, and a dismal failure on the latter.

Chris Irwin, lecturer, Schulich School of Business, Toronto.

Tags: Tags: Gary Bettman, Jim Balsillie, Negotiatin —

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