Basillie was basically rejected by the NHL, as he said he wanted to move the team to Hamilton, ON. The Leaves certainly would have vetoed the sale if Bettman had not. Enter Tom, who famously said that the Sabres would never relocate if he owned them. Bettman and the NHL applauded and the Leaves breathed a sigh of relief.
When Golisano was selling the team he rejected Basillie for the same reason ... relocation. By that time the BlackBerry empire was starting to crumble and Jimmy had no real $.