Quote:
Originally Posted by Vulcan
Sounds like the Oilers playing on the competitive juices between the two cities. I'd like to see Calgary get a huge new complex but I won't trust the Oilers to break that news since it's self serving.
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Totally agree. The Oilers are playing every card in the book to get taxpayers to irrationally shovel them money. They are blackmailing the city into looking past the numbers of the project.
First greasy tactic was all out corruption, by donating a large amount to the Provincial PCs and trying to circumvent election donation laws.
Second greasy tacitc tactic was to pretend that Katz could make more money than the current agreement somewhere else like Seattle. They played up the old arguement from the 90s prior to oil boom and 500k population increase, that Edmonton is a small market team that needs to be heavily subsidized by the community. Complete BS, a million plus city in Canada is a big market for hockey, no other place in the US not currently served by an NHL team could possibly eclipse the Oilers in TV viewership or $ per ticket sold. Coming back cap in hand to city council is evidence of this bluff.
Third greasy tactic is to evoke the old tale of two cities garbage. That's all this was, trying to strong-arm city council into doing something because of the potential that Calgary could get something grander. I think it's rather that than implying anything concrete about Calgary's arena plans.