[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by New Era

BLAH BLAH BLAH

Originally Posted by DiracSpike

haha when did Bettman become a billionaire? I guess Nenshi must have checked the guys tax returns before he fired off that tweet. Is there anything more patronizing than dismissing someone off-hand because they're rich and from NYC?

I may be mistaken, but I don't think Nenshi ever made any reference to billionaire - that was someone on the board. A scary example of how ridiculous unsubstantiated comments get turned into 'facts' in some people's minds.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

This is a pretty good starting proposal but the part I bolded would be the key negotiation. The city would want to manage the facilities, especially for things other than Stampeders. For example if there was an international event like the Commonweath Games or World Track and Field or World Cup, the city doesn't want to have to negotiate through the Flames in order to rent out the facility.

The city has already demonstrated that it doesn't want to be (nor should be IMO) responsible for managing the event side of a huge complex. You, and a few other posters are making it sound like a privately operated facility wouldn't be interested in hosting major events at their facility... Is it really worth the city taking on all of the risk and operating costs associated with managing a facility like this so they can save a few bucks every ten years when they want a massive international event?

Originally Posted by DiracSpike

I know you weren't directing this at me but I have distaste for pretty much everyone in this situation. My power rankings would be:

Ken King

Nenshi
Bettman


Flames Ownership


Ken King has been horrible but Nenshi needs to get called out for the way he's been carrying himself.

So two agents working on behalf of and at the direction of Flames ownership earn your disdain, but not ownership itself? Exactly as they hoped!

As for the Nenshi bashers, it would obviously be better if he were more like Harper in terms of how the public can have access to and receive information from him. Obviously I jest, and of course an approach down the middle might be more advisable in some situations, but I'll take his transparent, front door approach with occasional unprofessionalism over a totally hidden, back door approach with occasional unprofessionalism any day of the week.

Originally Posted by DJones

A lack of an arena won't hurt the value of the Flames brand. That's not going with the team when they get sold.

There is always leverage.

I don't understand what you are trying to say...

I think there is absolutely zero threat of the team moving, and I fully encourage them to go if the threat comes. The only people that would be swayed by the threat would be too clouded by emotional attachment to the team to see the forest for the trees IMO.