New Edmonton Arena Construction will begin in March 2014

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by -TC-

yeah, no. there's no way Edmonton would get an NHL franchise anytime soon...too many other markets on the table.

if council blows this, they are done.

Not a chance. They are making a ton of money in an NHL ready arena. They would be moved to the top of the list for relocation. You don't think the guys trying to buy PHX would love a shot at the Edmonton market?

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by -TC-

yeah, no. there's no way Edmonton would get an NHL franchise anytime soon...too many other markets on the table.

if council blows this, they are done.

Maybe in some alternate reality.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Probably more often. All three have huge upkeep costs between the complete overhauls as well.

How often has the centre street bridge been worked on in the last 10 years? At least two major overhauls that I remember.

Well to be fair, Steven Segal blew it up in his crappy movie.

[MissTeeks]

https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger

Source says Katz would pay half of new building, expenses and wouldn't own it. "Bad deal". "Desperate" is how situation is described.

Bettman re: Oilers. "We continue to believe that an arena deal is achievable..."

More Bettman: "...and with a new arena there should be no reason to have any doubts about the future of the Oilers in Edmonton."

[Robbob]

I would love to only have to put up half the money to own a business out right. Why shouldn't the group that puts up the other half the money be entitled to some ownership or at the very least a % of revenue?

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I think it'd be hilarious if the Oiler franchise moved to Seattle and then Phoenix moves to Edmonton. They go from an organization that's won 5 cups to one that's won none. Selanne would be their best franchise player rather than Gretzky. Oiler fans would be livid and would burn Katz at the stake if that ever happened.

Not only that but it would eff over Shane Doan over big time! hahahaha suck it Doan1

[WilderPegasus]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

How much risk is Katz taking on in this new arena deal? It looks like highway robbery of the municipality.

Katz is probably assuming everyone in Edmonton is as inept as the clowns that he has working for the Oilers.

[Locke]

I think its safe to say that this arena deal has become.....




A debacle of Monumental Proportions.......

[Calamity]

Originally Posted by -TC-

yeah, no. there's no way Edmonton would get an NHL franchise anytime soon...too many other markets on the table.

if council blows this, they are done.

How did Winnipeg get theirs? Not solely because of their building, it's nice but small. They got it because there is a big fan base and great revenue to be had.

Edmonton would get another team no doubt! Even if the owner moved them back into Rexall.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by Bingo

so you have a large body of examples of how say the Calgary owners have done nothing but evil things to the city of Calgary and their players?

I side with the owners in this because I believe their numbers and think the last CBA ended with more loop holes and salary escalation then either side expected, but I can do so without thinking the players are evil knights in a battle to destroy the game of hockey.

it's a negotiation for Pete's sake

I hope you're not this emotional when you're selling a car.

i get that and i am not going to make this another CBA thread.

the NHL owners have a pattern of negotiation styles and its hardball my way or the highway for hte most part.

the KHL, the IOC, the PA, heck even ESPN they played hardball with after the last lockout and went to Vs.

this tactic with EDM is another case bordering on bully negotiations with the taxpayers and now that the taxpayers (ie, us fans) are the target of NHL style "negotiations" i see in this thread quite a bit of backlash.

just was pointing out that this is probably how the players feel, not much different than EDM council at the moment.

and no, i am not really that emotional about this and you may have noticed I am no longre posting in the CBA thread because frankly I am tired of the big circles. in this case, just engaging discussion on a message board, hope thats ok!

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Calamity

How did Winnipeg get theirs? Not solely because of their building, it's nice but small. They got it because there is a big fan base and great revenue to be had.

Edmonton would get another team no doubt! Even if the owner moved them back into Rexall.

Oh, Champion.

[Azure]

What the hell.

I quickly glance through Google News this morning and see that Oilers management is talking about other options such as moving the team to Seattle? How can they possibly screw this up this badly?

I hate the Oilers as much as the next guy, but they have a good fanbase that would fill up a new arena instantly. Moving the team would be moronic. Even talking about it would be moronic.

Mind boggling.

[Tinordi]

I really hope the city calls his bluff. The deal in place is already incredibly generous (too generous) to the Katz group.

Ultimate worst case scenario is the Oilers move and a new Oilers franchise moves to Edmonton within 2 years and the city saves a whack of cash.

[Reanimate]

I find it funny that people think Calgary is gonna act even remotely as stupid as Katz has with this Arena project.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Oh, Champion.

Ah ####! I thought he was gone.

All of this is empty posturing by Katz, there is zero chance he gets a green light from the BoG to move the Oilers. They arent struggling. Bettman is doing what he can for Katz by calling for a new arena but with everything else going on you can bet theres no way Katz would be allowed to relocate.

The funny thing is that by actually doing the 'empty posturing' hes making himself look like an idiot.

The City Council probably kicked back and watched the report of Katz in Seattle and laughed at him for looking like a moron.

[Reanimate]

Originally Posted by -TC-

yeah, no. there's no way Edmonton would get an NHL franchise anytime soon...too many other markets on the table.

if council blows this, they are done.

Haha, uh no, Edmonton would have a new franchise within a year.

Anyone blaming the city council on this is either ignorant or have their heads so far up the Oilers ass they are oblivious to the financials.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

I really hope the city calls his bluff. The deal in place is already incredibly generous (too generous) to the Katz group.

Ultimate worst case scenario is the Oilers move and a new Oilers franchise moves to Edmonton within 2 years and the city saves a whack of cash.

I don't think anyone is going to move to Edmonton without some assurances of a new building, so that worst case scenario could be a lot worse.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by valo403

I don't think anyone is going to move to Edmonton without some assurances of a new building, so that worst case scenario could be a lot worse.

You're saying that the Oilers are not a viable business right now?

[DementedReality]

i dont think the BOG would stand in the way. it creates leverage for the next owner who needs an arena and can threaten a move and also i dont think the other owners would want to set a precedent if they got in a situation and needed to move.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

You're saying that the Oilers are not a viable business right now?

In the short term they are, over the long term no, they're not. Not in that building.