[News] Ken King: Flames' owners no longer pursuing new arena with City of Calgary

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Just got back from City Hall, how's everyone doing?

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

The City can also work on building an arena the next day which they would own. Flames want them to pay majority of it anyways, why not tell the Flames to take a hike, build a an arena city owns and operates, start bringing in concerts, start talking to NBA. Basketball is growing in Canada and proper setup in western Canada can really take off.

Won't be long before Bettman and NHL come knocking on Calgary's door to come back.

NHL/Flames don't have be the only game in town. Transform Calgary from Flames/O&G to something else.

I'm sure the Stamps/Roughnecks/Hitmen would all go up for sale as well, local groups will pick them up.

You're delusional. The Flames leave town, there won't be another team coming Calgary's way for years. And why would the city build a new arena after they just forced their current NHL team to bolt? They're going to build a new arena without a tenant? Yeah, keep dreaming.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Cole436

The $100 million dollar fee was the estimated fee when Balsille attempted to move Nashville to Hamilton, so a decade later you would assume that's the ballpark we're looking at.

Part of that was because both Toronto and Buffalo were demanding compensation for putting a team in Hamilton. When the Thrashers moved to Winnipeg, I believe the relocation fee was only $60 million.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by nik-

Because deals are easy to find when a city decides it just wants to completely give in to hand over a ton of money to a team.

so in those cases, the city ended up giving in, and at a loss of public funds?

[Tinordi]

This is desperate behavior. Flames can't realistically think that this will turn the election in their favor. My only guess is that they're hoping Nenshi gets phased by a much narrower victory that brings him back to the table.

What's clear is that ownership will exercise all options to avoid spending as much of their own money after possible. They are truly shameless in this process.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Fair enough. Say goodbye to the Flames, then. It was nice having an NHL team while it lasted.

Maybe when we get a replacement team someday they won't be run like the clown show we currently have. Probably a blessing in disguise.

I mean, what will I do with my life if I don't have the option to toss hundreds and hundreds of dollars a year into an almost three decade old puddle of mediocrity. How will I live?

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Fair enough. Say goodbye to the Flames, then. It was nice having an NHL team while it lasted.

To be honest, if the Flames left and, say, in a few years we got an AHL franchise, I would probably be just as hardcore of a fan - and would probably attend more games. Unless of course it's a baby franchise to Edmonton, then I would turn to voodoo and shamanism.

[taco.vidal]

Based on how poorly the Flames have handled this since day one, its obvious local ownership wants out and hope to deflect blame to Nenshi for the team leaving Calgary.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Listening to the guys on 960 right now. Embarassing how these guys carry water for the Flames. Do they really believe the stuff they're saying? I guess motivated reasoning can be powerful stuff, but Kerr, Francis and the rest are so out of touch with public sentiment in this city.

I fully get it though, they almost certainly lose their jobs if the Flames leave town, so I don't even look at it as carrying water as much as doing what's needed to keep oneself employed.

[Muta]

I forget who said it earlier, but I agree - it really is sad to see Bettman sell his kids, his life and his soul to keep the Coyotes in Arizona, but barely puts in an effort to try and help Calgary with its situation.

This is sad, really. But I think this is a calculated move against Nenshi given the election. Doesn't make it any better though. This news hurts.

[TurdFerguson]

Mike Smith sure was excited to play without all those off ice distractions and relocation talk...

[getbak]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Sorry i raised part of this question in another thread, but would like to raise it here...

How did a similar sized city, in the same province, that has a similar economic climate, find a deal between the team and the city?

How did a city that's completely broke, in Detroit, manage to get a brand new arena this year (or was it fully funded by the team ownership in this case)??

They made deals that are horrible for the local taxpayers.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by TurdFerguson

Mike Smith sure was excited to play without all those off ice distractions and relocation talk...

At least he has experience and knows how to block that crap out. Theres a leadership quality there.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I don't think the Flames threat is as groundless as some on here are suggesting.

Hands up: How many people thought that Murray Edwards would go from big Trudeau financial booster to relocating his residency out of country less than half way through Trudeau's tenure?

Honestly, if the Flames ownership group cannot make the Flames a viable business with reasonable support and investment from the City (and I do support reasonable investment by the City to support the Flames), and no prospective purchasers are willing to keep the team in Calgary (with the same reasonable investment), then I am willing to accept that Calgary is not large enough or wealthy enough to support an NHL team at the moment. It would be sad but so be it.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by Cole436

The $100 million dollar fee was the estimated fee when Balsille attempted to move Nashville to Hamilton, so a decade later you would assume that's the ballpark we're looking at.

It absolutely is an affluent market, and that doesn't mean that there is the demand to buy luxury priced hockey tickets, especially one that has never had an NHL team. A friend of mine flew down to Anaheim in 2015 for a playoff game and the return flight, hotel and tickets cost less than playoff tickets for game 4 at the Saddledome. There is no reality where the Flames can make as much revenue from ticket prices in Seattle. The only American cities that could charge those prices would be New York or Chicago.

More so what I mean is that the Flames would suddenly be looking at having an arena constantly sold out to one which historically would struggle to be at 3/4 capacity after the initial years, especially if they're struggling.

So then the league and the players themselves would take a hit from the drop in Flames merchandise, something which I can't see the NHLPA being ok with.

I think it would be reaching as well to believe that Seattle would offer a better local deal than Calgary would. It's a saturated sports market, the Flames would be lucky to even be noticed there after their first seasons being stuck well behind their NFL, MLB and their inevitable NBA team.

Ok that was an exaggeration but I don't believe there's a scenario where they come anywhere close to their profitability in Calgary, and the difference will probably be significant.

Would the Flames even outdraw the Sounders? Highly doubtful.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Would the Flames even outdraw the Sounders? Highly doubtful.

They'd be lucky to draw a third.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Would the Flames even outdraw the Sounders? Highly doubtful.

They physically couldn't. The Sounders draw over 40,000 per game.

[RM14]

Originally Posted by New Era

You're delusional. The Flames leave town, there won't be another team coming Calgary's way for years. And why would the city build a new arena after they just forced their current NHL team to bolt? They're going to build a new arena without a tenant? Yeah, keep dreaming.

Yep, we miiight be able to lure an AHL team though! Right Winnipeg? Oh right they got an NHL team back no problem.

[Tinordi]

People please. The Flames are not moving. Get that through your head.

[Toonage]

Didn't the Leafs bundle Raptors season tickets to their packages? Thats how Seattle could ensure the NHL tickets move and luxury boxes sell.