[getbak]

Jen Gerson: Nenshi's re-election is a win for every city blackmailed by a sports team

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/jen-...-a-sports-team

While NHL owners often strong-arm local politicians for baubles, interference during an election campaign was uncommonly audacious. At the very least, Nenshi’s win seems like suitable comeuppance for Bettman. There are limits in this country to even hockey’s power.

Leaving aside the particulars of the Nenshi-Smith showdown, what terrible signal would a Smith victory have sent to politicians in other hockey cities? Play nice, pony up or pack out?

For this reason alone, there is some broader social utility to Nenshi’s success. (Though I was so looking forward to debuting the term “Hockey ####” to describe the ostensibly Conservative politicians whose parsimony with the public purse gives way when the puck hits the ice. Alas.)

“Lots of teams these days make money through corporate suites and luxury boxes,” Lander said. “The stadium functions, and the Flames might be losing out on millions each year, and both of those things are true.”

But the idea that taxpayer funds should prop up a new building so billionaire owners can make extra bank on luxury boxes just doesn’t bring a tear to my eye.