[News] Bettman urges new arena ASAP

[GioforPM]

I like Nenshi, and don't like Francis. But Francis has a good point.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Well you have Len Long talking about owners giving up $450M of their own money. It was wishful thinking that this would be done without public money but what grinds my gears is the 2-3 year delay this proposal took to stir up public debate

Yeah this should have been 2011

[MacFlame]

That Nenshi tweet frustrates me.

Sarcastic comments about "Wealthy people from New York" are an embarrassment....

I voted for Nenshi, suport a large portion of his policies and am not in favour of public money going to private enterprise. Having said that, there are ways I expect the mayor to act in a public forum. His response today did not meet that expectation.

His initial response when Ken King unveiled this plan was much more diplomatic and, based on his comments, I was hopeful that the two sides would actually negotiate/discuss this proposal in such a manner.

All that went out the window today. Senseless comments.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

There is likely no way that happens but it wouldn't be shocking if ownership teased a move. I would hate that move as it is so Katz

Lets hope it doesn't get there but it's much more of a legit threat than Seattle.

[GirlySports]

Think Vegas would be a failure

[cam_wmh]

Why would the league owners forego expansion money over some civic nonse in a hockey hot bed?

[pylon]

In all reality, the team should just scrap this amazing mega complex, and build a decent frikkin arena. I don't care about the Stamps, or Track and field, or any of the other amateur crap. We don't need an entertainment district, and it doesn't have to be the envy of the entire NHL. Build a nice, serviceable $500 million dollar arena, at a decent location that doesn't require a bazillion dollars in ground repair and be done with it. I still think Firestone Park would make a hell of a location, and the required road modifications around that location would be minimal, and wouldn't require building a frikking bridge over a river.

I think the Ownership group might be a little to concerned with one upping Greaserville. And having beautiful scenic aerial shots on HNIC. Who cares if they end up with a nicer arena up north, it's still in the armpit of Canada. You're just putting a shine on a turd.

As much as Nenshi is being a bit of a petulant dingus, the team is acting like they are the New York Yankees or something. I love the Flames, but the NEXT proposal is just as stupid as the naming they think is "Oh so trendy, and cutting edge." is. It sounds like a proposal named in 1993. I fully expect them to change the name to the Flamez! to match the arena district proposal.

[Scary Eloranta]

Originally Posted by pylon

In all reality, the team should just scrap this amazing mega complex, and build a decent frikkin arena. I don't care about the Stamps, or Track and field, or any of the other amateur crap.

Some of us still care about the Stamps but unfortunately we seem to be a dying breed. With Nenshi absolutely hating the current proposal and Calgary's horrendous economy, I could see the Flames ditching the stadium/fieldhouse idea totally and building a modest arena for half the cost of Edmonton's.

[HotHotHeat]

So sick of the media pumping this project up. Fox News level distortion. If Francis calls out Nenshi for arrogance and shameful comments, maybe he should comment on Kings continued attempts to insist the city wants this project to proceed.

This is getting ugly, and the Flames simply will not come out on top.

[TheAlpineOracle]

If anyone wants to take a look at what an arrogant, condescending prick Nenshi has become take a look at his Twitter page over the past hour. What a clown this guy is becoming. He realizes he's the mayor of a major City and not class president doesn't he? Mayor of Twitterville.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by pylon

In all reality, the team should just scrap this amazing mega complex, and build a decent frikkin arena. I don't care about the Stamps, or Track and field, or any of the other amateur crap. We don't need an entertainment district, and it doesn't have to be the envy of the entire NHL. Build a nice, serviceable $500 million dollar arena, at a decent location that doesn't require a bazillion dollars in ground repair and be done with it. I still think Firestone Park would make a hell of a location, and the required road modifications around that location would be minimal, and wouldn't require building a frikking bridge over a river.

I think the Ownership group might be a little to concerned with one upping Greaserville. And having beautiful scenic aerial shots on HNIC. Who cares if they end up with a nicer arena up north, it's still in the armpit of Canada. You're just putting a shine on a turd.

As much as Nenshi is being a bit of a petulant dingus, the team is acting like they are the New York Yankees or something. I love the Flames, but the NEXT proposal is just as stupid as the naming they think is "Oh so trendy, and cutting edge." is. It sounds like a proposal named in 1993. I fully expect them to change the name to the Flamez! to match the arena district proposal.

The Stamps have a pretty solid and devoted fanbase that has averaged over 27k fans for a few decades now. While you may not be a fan the truth is they need this more than the Flames. You can also make a good argument the field house is a much better deal for Calgarians than the arena.

[MrMastodonFarm]

haha Estrada going full troll with the Nenshi avatar.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The Stamps have a pretty solid and devoted fanbase that has averaged over 27k fans for a few decades now. While you may not be a fan the truth is they need this more than the Flames. You can also make a good argument the field house is a much better deal for Calgarians than the arena.

I'm a big Stamps fans and have seasons tickets, but there is no way you can make an argument the Stamps needs a new stadium more than the Flames. They use their stadium ten times a year. The saddledome is one of the most used venues in North America.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I'm a big Stamps fans and have seasons tickets, but there is no way you can make an argument the Stamps needs a new stadium more than the Flames. They use their stadium ten times a year. The saddledome is one of the most used venues in North America.

Like the Flames the Stamps will have by far the worst facilities in the CFL. Unlike the NHL the CFL badly needs to capture younger fans and that's just not happening in an ancient stadium with a concourse that was made to handle 18k not 26-34k. Also there's no box seats which is robbing the team of revenue that other teams have available to them. They are going to have a tough time competing with the rest of the league. The field house is also a facility that will be used by Calgarians 365 days a year. I know hockey fans don't want to hear it but it's a far better deal for Calgarians than the arena.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Like the Flames the Stamps will have by far the worst facilities in the CFL. Unlike the NHL the CFL badly needs to capture younger fans and that's just not happening in an ancient stadium with a concourse that was made to handle 18k not 26-34k. Also there's no box seats which is robbing the team of revenue that other teams have available to them. They are going to have a tough time competing with the rest of the league.

Why have they let McMahon deteriorate as much as it has? Was it bad ownership prior to the Flames?

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Like the Flames the Stamps will have by far the worst facilities in the CFL. Unlike the NHL the CFL badly needs to capture younger fans and that's just not happening in an ancient stadium with a concourse that was made to handle 18k not 26-34k. Also there's no box seats which is robbing the team of revenue that other teams have available to them. They are going to have a tough time competing with the rest of the league. The field house is also a facility that will be used by Calgarians 365 days a year. I know hockey fans don't want to hear it but it's a far better deal for Calgarians than the arena.

Competing with the rest of the league? It's a capped league at like 4 million. They will be fine. "Box money" who the hell is going to buy those and for how much? Stampeders are not a corporate ticket.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Why have they let McMahon deteriorate as much as it has?

What can you do to a massive concrete structure to spruce it up? It's not deteriorating, it's just outdated. The place was opened up in 1960 for crying out loud.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Like the Flames the Stamps will have by far the worst facilities in the CFL. Unlike the NHL the CFL badly needs to capture younger fans and that's just not happening in an ancient stadium with a concourse that was made to handle 18k not 26-34k. Also there's no box seats which is robbing the team of revenue that other teams have available to them. They are going to have a tough time competing with the rest of the league. The field house is also a facility that will be used by Calgarians 365 days a year. I know hockey fans don't want to hear it but it's a far better deal for Calgarians than the arena.

The Stamps can have all the boxes they want, and it wouldn't make a difference once the initial novelty wore off. Corporate Calgary couldn't care less about the Stamps and the feeling is mutual with the majority of the people here outside of the 25k of season ticket holders. You don't build a stadium to sit empty 350 nights a year.

The Stamps only shot at a new stadium is unfortunately CalgaryNext.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

What can you do to a massive concrete structure to spruce it up? It's not deteriorating, it's just outdated. The place was opened up in 1960 for crying out loud.

Must be something. Look at the Rose Bowl. It's a concrete bowl!

But as stated above. No interest in the CFL

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

Competing with the rest of the league? It's a capped league at like 4 million. They will be fine. "Box money" who the hell is going to buy those and for how much? Stampeders are not a corporate ticket.

Well yeah because there are no corporate boxes. Have you ever been in that little row on the east side they call the corporate boxes? It's like a bunch of trailers daisy changed together.