[News] Bettman urges new arena ASAP

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by saillias

They definitely don't want to go down that round but Nenshi's ego will push them that way IMO.

I believe that's exactly what this will turn into. If nenshi plays hardball it will make his image that of the hard nosed politician that won't be "bullied" by a large corporation. It really speaks to the narrative he's built for himself. Personally I'd rather if he didn't tweet about every last little thing. I'm not proud of him being the mayor of this city.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by 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.

Wow. I honestly had no idea.

Well, I guess I see why he has the 20-something vote locked up. Because he acts like a 20-something forum hipster trolling for LOLZ. It's funny to think that if we was a member of this board, he would probably have been banned by now.

[Scary Eloranta]

Originally Posted by nik-

oh brother

It's Nenshi's ego that will drive them to play the relocation card (which has already been hinted at). Nothing to do with the half a billion they'll likely need to get this going.

When did that happen? I must have missed that.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by pylon

I don't hate it. But comparing the CFL to the NHL is trying to compare a Chevette to a Corvette. If we lost the Flames, it would be an absolute tragedy to this city, and we'd sulk over it for decades.

If we lost the Stamps, sure it would be disappointing, but the economic and emotional impact on the city would be marginal.

Why is relocation being debated? They are more profitable AS IS, than the opportunities elsewhere.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Scary Eloranta

When did that happen? I must have missed that.

When they mention viability of the franchise being affected by an old arena it's hinting at relocation. Burke has done it in the past and Bettman did it today.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Wow. I honestly had no idea.

Well, I guess I see why he has the 20-something vote locked up. Because he acts like a 20-something forum hipster trolling for LOLZ. It's funny to think that if we was a member of this board, he would probably have been banned by now.

It's ridiculous. If someone at a company acted like the way he does on Twitter they'd be removed from their job.

[stone hands]

I'm glad nenshi is doing city stuff instead of meeting with a guy lobbying for hundreds of millions of dollars of public money from a place ravaged economically by low commodity prices for the flames owners

[Scary Eloranta]

Originally Posted by nik-

When they mention viability of the franchise being affected by an old arena it's hinting at relocation. Burke has done it in the past and Bettman did it today.

Ah right, thanks for clarifying. Pretty subtle though. Just wait until things really get ugly, there won't be any shortage of quotes that's for sure. Speaking of which, I can't believe Burke hasn't said anything recently!

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by stone hands

I'm glad nenshi is doing city stuff instead of meeting with a guy lobbying for hundreds of millions of dollars of public money from a place ravaged economically by low commodity prices for the flames owners

And by doing stuff do mean posting on Twitter and doing countless interviews for news networks on issues that really have no effect on or meaning to the City of Calgary. This man is a pseudo rockstar in his mind and has completely lost his way.

[pylon]

I personally think Nenshi would rather see the team leave either way, just to say he won the battle against the billionaires, and have great material for a book about how the little mayor slayed the big beast. I really have never got the feeling the guy even gives a flying F about the team or the game.

It's one thing to gently oppose it, and maybe throw out viable suggestions. It's another thing to publicly poke the bear, draw a hard line in the sand, and insult the team owners and league governers.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by stone hands

I'm glad nenshi is doing city stuff instead of meeting with a guy lobbying for hundreds of millions of dollars of public money from a place ravaged economically by low commodity prices for the flames owners

Not meeting with Bettman is fine (if he truly had no time). Getting into a Twitter war with a second rate hockey commentator isn't .

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by pylon

I personally think Nenshi would rather see the team leave either way, just to say he won the battle against the billionaires, and have great material for a book about how the little mayor slayed the big beast. I really have never got the feeling the guy even gives a flying F about the team or the game.

You don't honestly believe that, do you?

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Not meeting with Bettman is fine (if he truly had no time). Getting into a Twitter war with a second rate hockey commentator isn't .

I don't know how someone can say they don't have time when they've spent the past two hours arguing with people on Twitter.

[Southside]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I don't know how someone can say they don't have time when they've spent the past two hours arguing with people on Twitter.

And the guy he didn't have time for is still here. Tomorrow as well.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

You don't honestly believe that, do you?

I do. I know this board loves the guy, but I find him to be a bit narcissistic myself. Nobody seems to love talking about Naheed Nenshi, more than Naheed Nenshi. The stupid thing is, I don't disagree with a lot of what he has done, I actually think he is a decent mayor, and I actually think NEXT is frikking ridiculously stupid.

However, the way he has handled it in the media, is awful. He is talking down to men and women, that are vastly more successful in business they he will ever be, like they are 2 year olds. He should have kept his opposition behind closed doors for now, and been less abrasive in the media. It's almost as if he is purposely trying to poison the well.

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by pylon

I personally think Nenshi would rather see the team leave either way, just to say he won the battle against the billionaires, and have great material for a book about how the little mayor slayed the big beast. I really have never got the feeling the guy even gives a flying F about the team or the game.

It's one thing to gently oppose it, and maybe throw out viable suggestions. It's another thing to publicly poke the bear, draw a hard line in the sand, and insult the team owners and league governers.

seriously he's looking out for the city, spending hundreds millions of dollars of tax payers money on an arena that will take a long time to recoup is not in the cities interest.

Calgary is not just the flames, and Nenshi does NOT have to meet with a billionaire in New York saying the city needs to spend money on an arena, the NHL does NOT have the interests of the city in their mind.

I'm sorry guys, but all of you attacking Nenshi right now are sounding like little children throwing tantrums.

How about getting frustrated with the Flames ownership group for throwing out a horrible proposal that is not well thought out? Why are you going after Nenshi when this is not his problem, it is the Flames problem. You have billionaire owners trying to get the tax payers to pay for their arena, but yet you are all mad at the person who actually has Calgary's best interest in mind.

It's simple math/economics - if the city spends 200 million on an arena, that's 200 million they have to cut from something else, or raise taxes to everyone in Calgary for what maybe only 50% (probably a high %) support.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by pylon

I do. I know this board loves the guy, but I find him to be a bit narcissistic myself. Nobody seems to love talking about Naheed Nenshi, more than Naheed Nenshi. The stupid thing is, I don't disagree with a lot of what he has done, I actually think he is a decent mayor, and I actually think NEXT is frikking ridiculously stupid.

However, the way he has handled it in the media, is awful. He is talking down to men and women, that are vastly more successful in business they he will ever be, like they are 2 year olds. He should have kept his opposition behind closed doors for now, and been less abrasive in the media. It's almost as if he is purposely trying to poison the well.

There is no way you think he hopes the teams moves so he can "win", it's so crazy.

The board has as much love for him as hate, as shown by this thread.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

There is no way you think he hopes the teams moves so he can "win", it's so crazy.

My problem with Nenshi is this. He has absolutely zero ability to see an opposing view. If Naheed thinks it's right, you should think it's right. If he doesn't get his way, he has his little passive aggressive twitter fits. He is far too opinionated, and I believe it will eventually be his undoing myself.

I honestly believe the guy would rather have the team move than even budge an iota on this issue. And I don't think I'm wrong.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

You don't honestly believe that, do you?

There hasn't been any counter offers what so ever or even an invitation to have an open discussion. If they don't pony up some money, they will lose the team. He talks so much that his pride won't allow him to compromise at this point.

Look how god awful the ice was tonight. I can't imagine what it will look like in 5+ years.

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by pylon

I do. I know this board loves the guy, but I find him to be a bit narcissistic myself. Nobody seems to love talking about Naheed Nenshi, more than Naheed Nenshi. The stupid thing is, I don't disagree with a lot of what he has done, I actually think he is a decent mayor, and I actually think NEXT is frikking ridiculously stupid.

However, the way he has handled it in the media, is awful. He is talking down to men and women, that are vastly more successful in business they he will ever be, like they are 2 year olds. He should have kept his opposition behind closed doors for now, and been less abrasive in the media. It's almost as if he is purposely trying to poison the well.

This.