PHOENIX (AP) -- Unless the National Labor Relations Board rules otherwise, 21 U.S.-based NHL teams and three wealthy ones in Canada will continue to share revenue with three small-market Canadian teams.

The league's Board of Governors wrapped up a two-day meeting in Phoenix on Tuesday by extending its subsidy plan for the Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa franchises.The NLRB is considering a complaint filed by the players union, which claims the subsidies violate fair-labor practices. One restriction requires teams to have a payroll below the league average to qualify.

"We don't think there's any merit, from a legal standpoint, to their complaint," Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "Frankly, I'm not even sure why they would want us to have to change the plan that's been good through the years for the Canadian small-market clubs."

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