Can the Leafs even spin their own web?

Sean from Down Goes Brown posted an interesting and insightful comment on the state of the Leafs Web-site in response to my long-winded post suggesting the Leafs re-vamp their online approach to information distribution and sharing.

I completely agree with DGB, but his comment begs a larger question: how much control do NHL teams have over the development and utilization of their own web-sites?

I haven't been following this anywhere near close enough, but the answer to that question seems to be none.

Think about that for a moment.

An original six franchise in one of the largest media markets in the world and their web-site is completely controlled by the NHL League offices (the same bunch who brought you a TV deal with Versus and Boots Del Biaggio a must read from Mirtle).

This lack of control describes both the Rangers and Leafs to a "T" and it's what's at the heart of the ongoing lawsuit between the Rangers and the NHL.

Digital Rights, Internet Portals and a Lack of Local Control

In 2006, NHL owners were asked to vote on transferring digital rights to the NHL including the creation of a league-wide Web portal that would use uniform team sites.

According to the Sports Business Journal, the transfer proposed by the NHL was accepted "by a 25-3 vote, with the Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Minnesota Wild dissenting. Detroit abstained, and Edmonton was absent from the session."

That vote certainly explains why mapleleafs.com looks like a bad myspace page and has all of the interoperability of a first generation bbs.

Here's the money quote from MSG Chief Executive James Dolan (from a fax sent to the 29 other clubs):

"We have repeatedly expressed our belief that individual clubs could achieve the same or better results by entering the new media business on their own terms, rather than being mandated to submit to a league-wide initiative."

According to Newsday, Dolan called the NHL plan "flawed" and said the league "continues to squander opportunities to improve our business and solidify and grow our fan base." (No word if Dolan did a, "*cough* Balsillie *cough*" at the end of his statement.)

Clearly, the ramifications of this suit, especially for wealthier large-market teams like the Leafs, are huge.

Seeing as the Leafs did vote against the League web-portal/digital rights issue in June 2006, does anyone know if the Leafs filed a brief of any sort in the case? (CanLii is a great source for legal decisions, is there a similar database for legal briefs and, if so, is any one willing or able to do some digging?)