NHL-Samueli reinstated as Anaheim Ducks owner

NEW YORK Nov 12 (Reuters) - Henry Samueli was reinstated as owner of the Anaheim Ducks by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Thursday, ending a more than 16-month suspension over his role in stock options backdating at Broadcom Corp.

Samueli, 55, was suspended indefinitely from any involvement with the Ducks and NHL on June 24, 2008 when he pleaded guilty to falsely telling U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigators he was not involved in backdating at Broadcom.

The billionaire co-founded the computer chip company.

Samueli's wife Susan also returned to active status as co-owner of the Ducks, having abided by the terms of his suspension to "avoid any possible improper appearance".

"We welcome Henry and Susan Samueli back as fully reinstated owners and members of the NHL community," Bettman said in a statement.

The Samuelis bought the Ducks in 2005 and in 2007 they became the first California-based team to win the Stanley Cup.

The Ducks have reached the playoffs in four consecutive seasons and have won more playoff games since 2005-06 (34) than any other NHL team except the Detroit Red Wings (43).

HAPPY RETURN

"Susan and I are very happy to be returning to work with the Ducks," said Henry Samueli on the Ducks website (ducks.nhl.com).

"We are thankful to have had great leadership in place that successfully operated the team during this time and look forward to re-establishing contact with the organisation.

"Our goal remains the same -- to be a championship-calibre organisation both on and off the ice."

Henry Samueli had accepted five years of probation and $12.25 million of penalties in a plea bargain but a U.S. district court judge rejected the terms as too lenient.

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in September refused to reinstate the plea bargain. Samueli on Nov. 6 asked that court to reconsider its ruling.

Stock options let holders buy shares in the future at fixed prices. Backdating involves retroactive grants on dates when a stock price was low, which can make the awards more valuable. Concealing the practice can inflate a company's earnings.

Backdating at Broadcom led to a $2 billion restatement.

(Writing by Steve Keating in Detroit; additional reporting by Jonathan Stempel; editing by Ken Ferris; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)