The Ballad of Jim and Gary

Well, the Jim Balsillie story continues to develop. The most interesting news since my last post is that of Gary Bettman's apocalyptic reaction yesterday [James Mirtle, From the Rink]. I'll have more analysis on this one later, but for now, I figured I'd start the day with an appropriate song. Here is my version of "The Ballad of Jim and Gary" (apologies to The Beatles):

Standing on the plane down to Phoenix,
Trying to get the team refinanced.
The man in the back said, "Jim Balsillie's back".
I said "Hell no! Just give us a chance."

Jim, you know it ain't easy,
You know how hard it can be.
But the way things are going
You're gonna crucify me.

At first, things with Jim went so well,
In Pittsburgh, we thought he'd be fine.
But then the press called to say,
"He wants to move away,"
So I told him he had to refrain.

Jim, you know it ain't easy,
You know how hard it can be.
But the way things are going
You're gonna crucify me.

Bumped into him at the Nashville Hilton
Talking with Leipold for a week.
The newspaper said, "Will the move go ahead?"
I said, "No, our teams aren't Canada geese."

Jim, you know it ain't easy,
You know how hard it can be.
But the way things are going
You're gonna crucify me.

Saving up your money for a rainy day,
Spending so much time on trickery.
Way back when, I said,
"Oh boy, your bid's dead
You won't take a team with you
To Hamilton - think!"

So I made a lightning trip down to Phoenix,
Reading a Canadian rag.
The newspaper said, "Power's gone to his head,
He looks like the man stuck with the bag."

Christ you know it ain't easy,
You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me.

Caught the early plane back to New York.
For a meeting with fifty hacks.
The men from the press said, "You won't find success,
But it's good to have the both of you back".

Christ you know it ain't easy,
You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me.
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me.