A scheduling conflict with Yanni at the home of the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins forced the team to play back-to- back playoff games this month without the usual day off between games.
Three years ago, Dora the Explorer played nice with the NHL when organizers of the children’s show agreed to move to another venue after the Edmonton Oilers overbooked their arena.
World Wrestling Entertainment, on the other hand, is engaged in a smackdown with Kroenke Sports Enterprises over an evening slot Monday at the Pepsi Center.
WWE has a contract to host “Monday Night Raw” on the same night as Game 4 of the National Basketball Association Western Conference finals between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers.
Without a provision to cancel the contract in case of a booking conflict, Kroenke Sports may have to pay to move Raw to another date or venue. WWE chairman Vince McMahon has said there is no such clause in the contract.
“If the contract doesn’t provide them with an out, they’re going to have to sit down and work something out,” said Brian Gaffney, a Denver lawyer with Snell & Wilmer who works on sports contracts.
Contract laws could force the Pepsi Center to allow WWE to host its event, but it’s unlikely the organization would go down that road.
“Courts are very hesitant to order such a relief, especially if they think it can be taken care of by other means, such as monetary damages,” Gaffney said.
A likely scenario would involve WWE moving to another venue or date and receiving financial compensation.
WWE spokesman Robert Zimmerman said Tuesday the event is “virtually sold out.” He said the Staples Center in Los Angeles and New York’s Madison Square Garden have offered to host Monday’s event. But fans in the Denver area hold the tickets.
A Denver Coliseum spokeswoman said WWE declined an offer to host Raw at the 10,000-seat venue. The Pepsi Center seats more than 19,000.
Kroenke Sports executive vice president Paul Andrews didn’t return a call seeking comment Tuesday.
Andy Vuong: 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com
