By Curtis Eichelberger

May 15 (Bloomberg) -- Research in Motion Ltd. Co-Chief Executive Officer Jim Balsillie’s effort to buy the Phoenix Coyotes and move them to Ontario may endanger the stability of all U.S. sports leagues, National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman said.

Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes put the team into Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week and made plans to sell it for $212.5 million to Balsillie, who would relocate the franchise to Hamilton, Ontario.

The NHL has specific procedures before allowing a club to move, including research into whether the new market could support a team. Relocation requires approval by a majority of owners in the 30-team league, spokeswoman Bernadette Mansur said.

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