Originally Posted by Madrox
1. Money
Calgary's done well recently, certainly, but not at the same level as Toronto or Montreal. If Forbes' data is accurate, they have their income levels at $70.6M and $59.8M, respectively, with the Flames at $22.3M, putting those teams at about 3x the profit of the Flames.
I was more referring to the wealth of the city overall and specifically, the owners of the Flames. I honestly don't mind the city putting into the facility in a couple different ways: Land, infrastructure improvements around the area (If it's West Village, Crowchild/Bow/Memorial is going to need a serious overhaul, as if it doesn't already), and to the public facilities portions. But IMO, it's important that not a single dime is put towards the actual Flames stadium. Don't know how, or if its even possible, to work a contract that way for something like this.
2. History
Not as significant a factor, but it's certainly true that the Leafs and the Canadiens have a much longer and more storied history than the Flames, with the corresponding fanbases to go with it.
Calgary may not be an original six team, but they have equal or more history than pretty much any other team outside the original 6.
3. Threat of Moving
Given that this was a very real threat the last time oil prices and the dollar were as low as they are now, I think it's foolish to downplay this factor. Corporate Calgary won't be able to sustain ticket purchases at the level they're currently at without things improving, and that's not even taking into account diminishing revenues vs. expenses with revenues being in CAD and expenses in USD, even without the numbers changing.
The Flames are not moving. No shot, and to play that card would be ludicrous. As ludicrous as it was in Edmonton. And just because Edmontonians fell over themselves about it, they got bent over in their arena deal and anyone can see that. The dollar and Oil prices did play a role last time, but one thing is missing from that scenario and that is the cap, which is tied to league revenue of which the CDN teams make up the majority. If their revenues fall as a result of the dollar, so does the cap. Everyone will remain on the same playing field financially. If low oil prices today are going to be used as an excuse for public funds, what happens when they inevitably go back up in a few years? Does the city get paid back on funds as percentage of the price change in oil? Basing the amount of funds needed from the public on a volatile resource price is dumb. This is something the Flames owners want to attract players and high quality people to THEIR organization, and if "the city is poor because of oil!" is the excuse, it is absolutely not necessary to build this building. The Saddledome has ice and plenty of seats and can stand for a few more years while prices go back up.
The situation is very different for Calgary now than Montreal or Toronto when they built their rinks.
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