They have been talking to Smith for 2 years, listen to the presser. My point is, and you are right none of us have first hand knowledge, that the deal got done because of a huge offer that didn't exist before some time after March 6th from Smith or anyone else. It has little to do with the players or NLHPA forcing anything or doing the right thing for anyone. Until now, $1.2 billion didn';t exist as an offer, nothing close to it. AM didn't like the idea originally because of the price, once the offer was much higher, he warmed up to it, funny how that works
AM purchased the team because of rising franchise values, sold it for the same reason, and has an option for the same reason, a new franchise could be worth $2 billion or more in 5 yeaars, he has an option at $1.2 billion. Its all economics, nothing else.