Quote:
Originally Posted by GGG
I'd be willing to confidently bet January 2020. If they are selling the team or moving I'd bet that isn't announced until 2022 but I would rather not lose the team pushing that far. Seattle is ripe for an expansion franchise and that can't happen if the flames move there so the flames threat as it stands now is relatively non-existent. In general we shouldn't panic at the first Bettman move. They haven't even brought in Seattle's NHL guy for a tour yet. The Seattle arena isn't approved or built yet. In my opinion Edmonton settled early and go a terrible deal.
Combine that with the fact the ticket market is rapidly changing right now might not even be a good time to build an Arena. I am of the mindset that in about 10 years Arenas will be 8,000-10,000 seat Luxury domes and priced accordingly and the flames will be sitting with the Skydome of NHL arena's the last one to be built before the great revenue shift that will occur when Facebook and twitter bought all the TV rights to the leagues. The value proposition on poor seats is diminishing rapidly.
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No I am not worried about Seattle as the arena wont be able to house a team for at least 2 years from what i understand.
As for Seattles "guy" he is already an NHL ownership buddy being its Tim Leiweke (formerly CEO of MLSE and the Kings Anshueser group or whatever its called)and he has serious serious money behind him for either an expansion or relocation to Seattle. (Jerry Bruckheimer being one of the players)
That wont stop them from shopping ahead of time however. For sure the existing ownership around the league wants the expansion fee over any relocation, but be assured Edwards is in very tight with the BoG and all executives and they will not block him from making a move IMO.
I think the other major factor that will pressure the city long before any Flames move is the Olympic bid. Everyone and their dog already agrees that if they move ahead with the bid, they also have to build another arena. Thats not even up for debate. So again, if the city wants that, then they are best to make a deal sooner rather than later and risk losing a partner (who will pay more towards the rink than the city would) and having to build the whole thing on taxpayers money.
There are so many factors at play here, not the least of which was the throwing down of gauntlets by ownership on Tuesday and without question a powerplay to seek change at the civic level in October.
Heavy handed for sure, but part of playing in the big business sandbox.