Quote:
Originally Posted by GGG
This is incorrect. The flames more or less break even with roughly a 80 million dollar payroll. A 30 million dollar payroll cut pays for the arena quite easily. Just change HRR to 20% arena, 50% owner, 30% players.
I am asking the flames and the NHL as a business to manage their payroll so they don’t need public subsidies. Now you might argue that the demand for players makes them worth what they are paid but in that case we shouldn’t have any cap whatsoever. So if you are pro cap then the cap should be set such that competitive balance is achieved and the league can afford the run it’s business.
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The flames could move to a bigger market and build a new arena on private economics. Or just move to a market where such an arena already exists.
I don't believe public money was required in Vegas or in Seattle. Because they're big markets and the business case justifies itself. The business case does not justify itself in Calgary.
Realistically, if you're a small market and you want a team, you pay for it via higher ticket prices and arena subsidies. Like Winnipeg, like Nashville, like Edmonton.
And if youre a small market and don't want a team, you don't need to have one. There are 32 teams and I'm willing to bet Calgary isn't in the 32 top metro areas of Canada/US. The NHL doesn't need to have a franchise here. An owner doesn't need to operate here either.
The fact that Murray Edwards operates the team at breakeven here rather than sell it for $500m to someone who can profitably run it in Houston, is charity and community service in and of itself.
He doesn't owe you or the city anything at all. The fact that you expect him to spend more money out of his own pocket for your happiness is insane.
Reading some of these posts is like reading the fable about the golden goose.