Judge rejects NHL deal with Molson-Coors:

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From Toronto Star :

An Ontario judge has tossed out the National Hockey League’s “monster” $375-million North American sponsorship deal with Molson-Coors, saying the league already had a Canadian agreement with the company’s archrival Labatt.

The decision Friday by Ontario Superior Court Justice Frank Newbould to toss out the biggest sponsorship deal in NHL history comes as the league is in the midst of the Stanley Cup final between the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins.

The judge said that Molson-Coors suspected that the league had already reached a deal with Labatt when it decided to negotiate its own agreement. Molson-Coors and the NHL reached a seven-year deal for North American sponsorship rights in February. The judge ruled the NHL had already agreed in November to have Labatt as Canadian sponsor.

...

This was Labatt's belief from the start. Ouch.

[mjlegend 155]

I get the feeling Labatt would just prefer to look for a settlement, perhaps maybe three years worth of Coyotes?

[Datsyerberger 279]

Obviously, the NHL will be appealing.

They're apparently very surprised they lost the case. They must not have been aware the judge drinks Labatt.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

[VM1138 1,921]

Since when can you only have a sponsor from one brand per industry?

[sandyeggo wingnut 19]

Since when can you only have a sponsor from one brand per industry?

Since there are usually exclusivity clauses in sponsorship contracts.

(edit: and it *IS* Canada we're talking about )

Edited June 5, 2011 by sandyeggo wingnut

[Konnan511 1,736]

Since when can you only have a sponsor from one brand per industry?

Marketing bro, marketing.

There are many levels of different types of sponsorships. From what the article said, Labatt had the exclusive rights of beer for Canada. Since Labatt paid heavily for those exclusive rights, the NHL cannot have any more Canadian beer sponsers.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From Toronto Star :

...

Labatt released a statement Friday evening indicating it believes its deal will now be enforced, but it will make for strained relations with the league. Labatt also controls rights for 21 of the 23 existing U.S.-based NHL clubs.

...

[sandyeggo wingnut 19]

The Wings are one of the two molson clubs IIRC

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

The Wings are one of the two molson clubs IIRC

Also one of the two American-based teams sponsored by Miller rather than Bud, the other being Anaheim.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Also one of the two American-based teams sponsored by Miller rather than Bud, the other being Anaheim.

"Someone say Miller?"

[Matt 1,048]

The Wings are one of the two molson clubs IIRC

Correct. (And "Boooooo!"... Labatt > Molson)

[sandyeggo wingnut 19]

Correct. (And "Boooooo!"... Labatt > Molson)

Yeah but at least they have Miller and not Bud haha

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Correct. (And "Boooooo!"... Labatt > Molson)

Never!

[Esquire 324]

So, does Bettman get a fine and suspension of draught picks for trying to circumvent the existing contract?

[SpiritFan 37]

So, does Bettman get a fine and suspension of draught picks for trying to circumvent the existing contract?

I see what you did there!

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Molson= NHL franchise owners

Labatt = not.

[Din758 371]

Correct. (And "Boooooo!"... Labatt > Molson)

Somebody had one too many bong tokes this weekend...

[sleepwalker 512]

(And "Boooooo!"... Labatt > Molson)

Perhaps...

But thats like saying "this pile of s*** over here tastes better than that other pile of s*** over there does"

[sandyeggo wingnut 19]

Perhaps...

But thats like saying "this pile of s*** over here tastes better than that other pile of s*** over there does"

The iPod app doesn't have +/- but mannnn that's +1000 at least...so wish I thought of that

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Sportsnet.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Yeah but at least they have Miller Bud and not Bud Miller. haha

Fixed it for you.

IMHO, Miller is garbage.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

Fixed it for you.

IMHO, Miller is garbage.

bleh... They are both garbage beers. Give me something without corn (or rice), unless it's distilled.

[mjlegend 155]

Who's the official rum of the NHL? This is where Appleton's can really start hitting the Captain Morgan audience.

[Guest Shoreline]

^- I can't wait for that sponsorship.

Correct. (And "Boooooo!"... Labatt > Molson)

Vitamin pee, the both of 'em. No idea why people buy stuff like Bud, Corona, Labatt, Molson, and Coors. I can't even make myself like them.

I reply to this because the topic itself is rather confusing to me. I guess if the league signed one deal for exclusive sponsorship it obviously wouldn't be legal to do another, hence lawsuit.

Edited July 12, 2011 by Shoreline