SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The NHL Board of Governors were briefed Monday on the proposed sale of the Buffalo Sabres during the opening session of their two-day meeting.

''It was a series of updates on franchise business,'' commissioner Gary Bettman said.

The board met for three hours and was scheduled to meet for two more hours Tuesday morning before adjourning, but changed its second-day agenda to a four-hour session to accommodate the crush of business.

The NHL, which has had operating control of the Sabres since June, conditionally selected Buffalo health care magnate Mark Hamister and partner Todd Berman to acquire the franchise on Nov. 20.

But Hamister reportedly wants New York state, Erie County and Buffalo to offset much of the $65 million purchase cost by giving his partnership a $35 million financial package -- a potential sticking point in a sluggish economy.

Bettman said there was no snag.

''We've accepted their bid, and now we have to get a final contract, but that was the case with everybody,'' he said.

The NHL gave Hamister, who was not invited to sit in on the meetings, exclusive bargaining rights for 45 days.

''The contract doesn't just materialize out of the air,'' Bettman said. ''It's got to be finally put together, and that's what everybody's working toward. That's why this is a process, and that's why we're not anticipating a closing until probably February.''

Some owners reportedly were concerned that the low selling price of the Sabres would devalue their franchises.

But Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos wasn't concerned about a spillover effect.

''Franchises are worth what they're worth,'' Karmanos said. ''They're really worth what anybody will pay for them, so I'm not really worried about what that one sells for. If another one sells for an enormous price, it doesn't make much difference.''