Winnipeg Ownership Group Calls NHL Deal Story 'False'

On the heels of Monday afternoon's report that the NHL has a "deal in principle" with a Winnipeg-based group to sell the Phoenix Coyotes, the Winnipeg Free Press is reporting that among other things, the potential deal is only "Plan C" for the NHL and that it's "not the likely outcome."

The potential ownership group itself, True North Sports and Entertainment, has gone as far as calling the initial report false.

A report earlier today in the Phoenix Business Journal said the league has been working on the plan to relocate the Coyotes as soon as next season with True North partner David Thomson and that there’s a deal in principle.

True North spokesman Scott Brown said the story is false and added that neither he nor True North chairman Mark Chipman would have any further comment on the report.

An NHL source said that a return of the original Winnipeg Jets franchise to the Manitoba capital is likely to be a non-story in a couple of days, after the city council Glendale, Ariz., meets Tuesday to debate possible lease concessions for two parties currently in line to buy the franchise, which is currently owned by the NHL.

(H/T: James Mirtle)