That is all predicated on being unable to find a buyer who is happy to keep the team here, be it in the saddledome or attempting to strike a more reasonable deal with the city...and also on a non-local buyer willing to pay a price high enough that Flames owners would accept that is also apparently lower than what Florida, Arizona, Carolina, Ottawa, or any other team would be willing to accept.
The other question is whether there are enough NHL owners who desperately want to keep the arena extortion game going (at the expense of strong TV revenue and solid gate). Anaheim/San Jose (1993) are the next oldest buildings, with a bunch of others in mid 90s. IMO, by the time these teams are plotting their extortion plans, the Flames situation will be a distant memory.
The city played their hand poorly. Rushing the initial vote through in a week during the summer. They had very little to lose, and major concession(s) to gain by allowing a bit more public discourse. The Flames had everything to lose by pushing all-in on a move threat.
|