Madison Square Garden sues NHL over web "monopoly"

Madison Square Garden sued the NHL yesterday, saying the league has monopolized promotion of its teams. According to the lawsuit, the NHL has claimed it will fine MSG, which owns the New York Rangers, $100,000 per day if it does not give the NHL complete control over the team's Web site and other promotions. MSG said it had no choice but to bring the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan because the fines were scheduled to begin yesterday. The organization asked that a judge order the league to stop acting as "an illegal cartel," limiting what the team does to promote itself on the Web and with merchandising efforts.