No decision for PHX, mediation.

From NHL.com

No decision in Coyotes hearing, mediation ordered
Tuesday, 05.19.2009 / 5:56 PM / News
Canadian Press

PHOENIX -- The hearing related to the Phoenix Coyotes in a U.S. Bankruptcy hearing is under way here.

But there won't be a decision Tuesday, according to Judge Redfield T. Baum.

"To save the suspense I'm not going to rule from the bench today," Baum told the court.

Baum has ordered mediation between the NHL and Jerry Moyes to determine who has control of the franchise.

"The court orders both parties to mediate the control issues," Baum said prior to a recess. "The court expects the parties to pursue that as quickly as possible and wants a status report ... May 27 at 9 a.m."

Baum is presiding over a crammed courtroom and will ultimately determine if Moyes has the right to put the NHL team into Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The league has argued in court documents that Moyes gave up control of the team in a proxy agreement he signed in November after getting a cash advance from the NHL to help keep the Coyotes afloat.

Moyes says he never gave up control of the team and argues that he has a right to place it into bankruptcy, opening the door for Jim Balsillie's bid to buy the team and move it to Hamilton, Ontario.

Baum said any issue to potentially relocate the team would have to be resolved before a sale of the franchise. He instructed the NHL and Moyes to make oral arguments on relocation in court June 22.