Windy City Complaint Costs GM Jones his job

Last week, after an embarrassing loss to the Edmonton Oilers, Blackhawks coach Pat Quinn and GM Dan Minion went on record accusing the referees in their game of favouring the Oilers to appease Commissioner Mark Jones, also GM of the Oilers. Many laughed at the seeming bad sports, throwing feces around and hoping it hits something.  After all, Jones has been commissioner for 22 years with only a few minor bumps in his reign.  But it seems this little bit of hissy-fit from two men desperately afraid of losing their jobs may have actually caused a reaction in Northern Alberta.

TSN is reporting that NFHL lawyers have combed the league constitution and have informed Commissioner Jones that he would be violating the constitution if he maintained controlling ownership of the Oilers, while running the league. Jones is said to have dismissed his lawyer's advice at first, stating that his position as commissioner gave him near-unfettered power and calling the clause "phony" and a weapon attempting to be used by a "pathetic" band of "losers".

However, as TSN Anchor Michael Landsberger reported on SportsCentre this morning, Jones has agreed to cede control of the Edmonton Oilers while he remains the head man at NFHL HQ. However, Landsberger also reported that he has refused to divest control of the franchise, and has actually given control to his oldest child, Zachary. Critics of the move note that Jones could still profit from the Oilers business and doubt that he has actually given operating control away as he is known to be a micromanager when it comes to the franchise.

Jones, though, has brushed aside the criticism.

"The constitution basically gives the Commissioner unlimited powers," Jones mistakenly stated.  "They can do what they want and cannot be constrained by anyone or anything.  It is basically like being a king."

However, even if he has given up control, Jones is not known for taking affronts to his dignity lightly. One must know that Quinn and Minion are now being targeted by Jones. The only questions are, what will he do, how bad will it be and when will the hammer drop?