Quoting: exo2769
Ultimately, I understand what you're saying. I'm not sure a crime was committed, but this investigation is not over. Head's of companies get removed all the time. Papa John and Donald Sterling (Owner of the Clippers) as a better example. They don't have to be forced to sell the team, BUT the NHL can make their franchise have zero value. They can force them out. Create a new expansion team in Chicago and leave the Blackhawks with nothing. There's a fight there, but what legal standing would the Wirtz family have against the continuing breaches of the NHL code of conduct. The reason Sterling sold wasn't because he wanted to sell. It's because he was about to lose all that money.
And as the above in BOLD... While i understand the nimble benefits of having an owner vs a board...those don't really apply here because the President/GM can make any/all moves needed. I don't think the Wirtz family actually cares about hockey. I'm not even saying they need to care. It's a business a lot of owners won't spend money at all because they treat their team like a business. The Green Bay Packers are doing pretty good the last time I checked.
Heads of companies do get removed all the time and that is why McIdiot and now Bowman both are gone. They were the heads of the company in 2010 and as of yesterday. Rocky Writz, and it's been no secret, was hands off besides the transition period of his Dad to him but large in part, hands off. For that reason, at this point there is no reason to implicate him with the NHL or legally. Part of running a company, is doing your best to enforce policies but ultimately, you do not have control of individuals and the courts and legal system understand that. That is why there are corporate civil cases. Again, think about Facebook and all the lawsuits they are facing right now in this very moment. Now think about the fact they (also own Instagram), provide a platform that is enabled violence, suicide, mental health disorders, riots, etc. Not to mention they are always fighting sexual harassment/abuse cases, discrimination, etc. They literally have blood on their hands. Facebook to me, has done WAY more wrong then the Blackhawks have here. Maybe I'm callous because I consult with large organizations on a regular basis and work for a very large company much bigger then the Blackhawks, but the point is, removing the owners is not the solution UNLESS they are factually proven they were aware and did nothing or worse yet, implicated legally speaking.
The Clippers were a dumpster of a team at the time while the Hawks are 2nd or 3rd most valuable franchise in the league. The league is not going to force the end of the blackhawks especially in uncertain times revenue wise. Can they try to force the Wirtz's out...maybe but they are in for a harrowing legal battle that would take place. Continuing breaches of NHL code of conduct? I'm not following on the continuing breaches part. That said, most of the older hockey teams have a colorful history of accusations of discrimination, verbal abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse; at least one of those. Football as well. This is not unique to the Blackhawks even though it seems that way in moment. Look what John Gruden was caught doing just recently, to tell me he didn't abuse certain players racially during his tenure? That's a head coach in a much bigger spotlight, bigger money involved, etc. Point is, not that it's right, but these types of breach of ethics are common in all sports. Penn State...remember that case? Disgusting yet Penn State still operates as a college and still has sports teams.
Green Bay is a unique situation in a very small town. Mark Cuban is a unique situation. The normal situation is Reinsdorf; how would you like buying out the Wirtz's?