Quote:
Originally Posted by corporatejay
I understand your argument but wouldn't you consider this to be a fairly large assumption? I mean we all assume the Flames ownership will pay for it themselves, but there is the threat that they could leave.
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I would rather have it be more transparent. If the Flames are threatening to leave the City should just cut the owners a 100 or 200 million dollar cheque on the agreement that they stay for 30 years. Have a press conference and let everyone know that that is what they are doing. This idea to build a new arena so that Calgary gets 2 or 3 more concerts a year seems like a waste of money. I bet you could pay the blood money to keep the team for a lot cheaper. Let the owners and Burke know you will pay the blood money but you want it to be at a public press conference. That way everyone gets what they want, the Flames stay so the fans are happy, the owners get their money so they are happy, everyone would be a winner. Public press conference allows for certainty for the fans, get a binding contractual agreement whereby the Flames owners have to pay back the cheque at payday loan interest rates if they leave (thus providing an incentive for the Flames to stay for the duration of the agreement) and everyone is happy.
If Edmonton would have done that they could have kept the team for like 250 million dollars as opposed to the 600 million or so that they will pay. Makes better business sense.