Quote:
Originally Posted by Locke
Once again, I think we have to look at the track record to determine how this will likely go.
Whenever anyone brings up 'Relocation' I dont think they remember all the other cases where a team was moved.
No team has ever been moved unless it was a failing team.
Look at a case like Edmonton. Did they move the team? No, they forced a sale to a local owner who would keep the team in Edmonton.
Look at Phoenix, I dont even know who owns them anymore but the League was their custodian for a while. Didnt move the team, found a local owner.
I think ownership in Tampa has been a bit of a shuffle, as with Carolina and Florida.
The League's MO is to keep the team rooted where it is and if the current owner is unhappy or has to sell they start by looking at other potential local owners and usually try and make sure the owner commits to keeping the team in its current City.
This is why Relocation threats ring hollow.
If the Flames come to the conclusion that they simply cannot operate in Calgary anymore the League's Modus Operandi is to find someone who can, rather than moving the team.
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Yea but with the exception of the Oilers none of those teams had a 35 year old building. I'd love it if there was a billionaire Flames super-fan who was willing to buy the team and personally finance a new arena but that person doesn't exist. No one will touch this franchise and keep it in Calgary without a building deal.