NHL May Expel Garden From Hockey for Antitrust Charge
The National Hockey League is threatening to kick Madison Square Garden out of its league as punishment for the owners of the New York Rangers accusing the league of violating antitrust laws.
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A shot of the ice at Madison Square Garden before the New York Rangers played the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL playoffs on May 1.
The league filed court papers yesterday that included a draft letter from the NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, notifying MSG that the league has begun disciplinary proceedings because MSG sued it.
Madison Square Garden sued the league in September, saying it violated antitrust laws by monopolizing control of team promotions.
A judge said in November the league seemed within its rights to take control of the New York Rangers Web site.
In its court filing, the league asked a judge to agree that MSG has breached its contract by challenging NHL rules and that it can force MSG out of the league.
Messages for comment left with MSG were not immediately returned.
