tiger tiger
Verified Trader
What is also lost in all this is what McCaw's intention was by giving Messier a contract with a clause where Messier would get more money based on the value of the team after his contract ended.
If I read between the lines correctly, McCaw had intended to sell the team for a profit after buying it from Griffiths. Bringing in Messier would increase the "value" or "marketability" of the team which could be sold for more money, hence the clause in Messier's contract.
Basically, Messier gets a commission. The higher McCaw is able to sell the team, the more money Messier gets. Messier's contract ended in 2002, but he got bought out earlier. McCaw sold 50% of the team in 2004, probably hoping that the deferred payment would be stuck with the Aquilini's too. The Aquilini's could try to take McCaw to court to make him pay the "commission" since it was owed to Messier before the sale of the team, but that will take some time and cost money too.
Such dirty owners in the NHL.
If I read between the lines correctly, McCaw had intended to sell the team for a profit after buying it from Griffiths. Bringing in Messier would increase the "value" or "marketability" of the team which could be sold for more money, hence the clause in Messier's contract.
Basically, Messier gets a commission. The higher McCaw is able to sell the team, the more money Messier gets. Messier's contract ended in 2002, but he got bought out earlier. McCaw sold 50% of the team in 2004, probably hoping that the deferred payment would be stuck with the Aquilini's too. The Aquilini's could try to take McCaw to court to make him pay the "commission" since it was owed to Messier before the sale of the team, but that will take some time and cost money too.
Such dirty owners in the NHL.