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

[PugnaciousIntern]

If this continues, I imagine there will be plenty of signs in the stands this season, and if I could guess, most won't be flattering for the ownership.

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by rhino

How about putting some blame on our basement dwelling mamas boy of a mayor? The guy is a joke and needs to go

Calgary has become a much different city than you think it is.

[PaperBagger'14]

Remember this is the same mayor who is ok with a $245 mil library on our dime. This is also the same mayor who was not able to shut his mouth about Cal Wenzel and stole public money to pay for his lawsuit, which he eventually paid back interest free. CSEC is completely fear mongering in all of this, however I would have much rather our purple prince used this gigantic waste of money on a new arena instead of a ghost town library.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Matty81

A third each paid by the city, the Flames and facility users seems fair. 2/3 paid by the Flames and 1/3 by us is extreme when you consider the climate and what other cities like Edmonton paid.

When you consider the profit split will likely be 3/3 for the Flames and 0/3 for the city and the city will pony up some free land then it shouldn't seem that extreme just because other cities made bad deals.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by nik-

Really?

vs simply influencing Nenshi, should have made myself more clear. Not like there's a huge chance of an upset in this election.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by DJones

Ya that would probably be the smart thing to do. How long of a lockout would that lead too though.

Ditch the salary cap too. I have no idea why public sentiment was so favorable to sports team owners over the years.

Owners need to be protected from themselves so they don't pay more than they earn on players.

Owners can pay salaries of 80 million a year, but can never to pay a few hundred million for their own building. And they can't possibly survive unless they have a building that is twice as expensive than is really needed to give a good experience to 20,000 people who want to watch a hockey game.

God forbid the smaller markets make the larger markets even out revenue to achieve competitive balance, The large markets do benefit from having more than 3-4 teams, and the league should be able to leverage that.

Sports fans need to start realizing how irrational it is to get behind owners that feel they need their cost of talent fixed, and their facilities given to them with public money.

It's time for a large correction in the business of sports, and salaries do need a large correction as part of that. The salary cap has made it even tougher to correct that though, especially since it is tied to revenue and not any kind of real income. The only way for athletes and owners to increase their bottom line is to figure out ways to extract more money from the ticket buying public, cable tv subscribers who don't even watch their games, and the public at large.

[Lord Carnage]

Originally Posted by MattyC

It won't be completely privately funded. But the point is not just a point it's a fact. The Flames can't build a stadium wherever they want unless they want to pay for it outright. Otherwise they have to fit into the citys plans.



If you are jaded about Nenshi and view an entertainer district for the city as HIS project where he gets only what he wants and his way and it's going to be Nenshis playground or something than I'm not going to be able to convince you otherwise.



The city's view of East village with the arena seems like something the city would truly benefit from. Is it just because Nenshi is presenting that you are fighting against it? Because that's what it seems like.



Again, for better or worse, what the city council wants IS what the city wants. They are elected as representatives. Don't like yours? Vote for someone else next time.

It isn't that it's all his project or anything...

Like the article you quoted:
- he will tell the Flames where to put it
- he will then tell the Flames to play for it all
- he then expects to be thanked for doing the above

That isn't what I hope for in something that should be a joint venture. I've said all along that Nenshi is as much a part of the problem as the other side, and I'd just like a solution that works.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DeluxeMoustache]

Flames can wait for the Olympic bid decision and corresponding potential to piggyback off of money the city will spend if they are successful.

[dino7c]

you guys are all acting like your girlfriend just dumped you...

"won't miss her anyways"

"I will just date Austin Matthews"

"Girls are a waste of time anyway, I can spend the time doing something wise like studying Viking history"

lol

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

When you consider the profit split will likely be 3/3 for the Flames and 0/3 for the city and the city will pony up some free land then it shouldn't seem that extreme just because other cities made bad deals.

The city gets a lot more from the Flames brand. They get the economic boom (jobs with the Flames and money spent elsewhere), the charities, and good vibes in the city. Does crappy artwork give the city that?

This city is already pretty dead, without the Flames there would be nothing to do on a Thursday night in January.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

When you consider the profit split will likely be 3/3 for the Flames and 0/3 for the city and the city will pony up some free land then it shouldn't seem that extreme just because other cities made bad deals.

I dunno... Put me in the camp that sees economic value beyond the flames profits in having an nhl team. I travel in for a few games from Kelowna for example... No chance I am there otherwise.

I think the reality is Calgary will need to pay something to keep the flames. The flames proposal was bat#### crazy but it seems like Nenshis was just as bad if true.

Find some middle ground or put the lot of them on a rocket and fire it into the sun. Tie Bettman to the back by his nads.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The city gets a lot more from the Flames brand. They get the economic boom (jobs with the Flames and money spent elsewhere), the charities, and good vibes in the city. Does crappy artwork give the city that?

This city is already pretty dead, without the Flames there would be nothing to do on a Thursday night in January.

You could hipster watch down town on the bike lanes.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by New Era

Here's a different perspective on all of this. I know, surprise, surprise.

What is lost in all of this vitriol is the acknowledgement that this boils down to the Flames vision versus Nenshi's vision. That's really what this is all about, and what Nenshi's little announcement was all about. This is about who has the right to guide the development of the future Calgary entertainment district. Whose legacy is this going to be? Is it going to be the Flames ownership group, or is it going to be Nenshi's?

The Flames put forward a comprehensive plan to address the redevelopment of the West Villiage, which would include a new arena, a new fieldhouse/football stadium, a new entertainment district, and then riverfront condominium development. This is where the Flames ownership interest likely was mostly focused, getting involved in the development aspects here and making their money in the real estate. Like it or not, it was a comprehensive plan that addressed the overarching needs of CSEC. There were more than enough pimples on this face, but it was a point for negotiation.

Conversely, Nenshi's vision was different. He wants to be remembered for the East Village and the cleanup of Victoria Park. He has proposed an equally flawed plan that really doesn't make much sense in the bigger picture. I really don't see a plan here, other than shoe-horning an arena in a spot that will keep the Stampede Board happy, with land swaps, and fill in space in the East Village. Seriously, what is a business incubator doing in the heart of the supposed "entertainment district? And what entertainment district zig-zags its way through downtown, including crossing the train track right of way? You want to talk about a flawed design? This is it. Compare this to some of the latest and best designs around world. How can anyone suggest this was a serious plan?

Nenshi said it himself. "The arena is not the issue, the issue is East downtown, the issue is creating a cultural and entertainment district in East downtown, which requires many many ingredients and many many pieces." But many of those pieces don't fit, nor are really close to each other. This was not a good plan either, and I suspect Nenshi knew that.

So while the Flames play the bad guy here, suggesting the City was not being responsive in a timely manner, I think the out-going Mayor can speak for himself. "We're in no rush, the issue here is to get this exactly right for Calgarians," said Nenshi. No, I think the issue here is Nenshi delivering on his vision and ensuring his political legacy. This is not about doing right by those have been and continue to invest in Calgary, this is clear politicking and a desire to establish a legacy.

In complete sincerity I'm going to have to ask you to provide a link to any mention of the Flames interest in the build out of West Village beyond the stadium and rink.

I don't recall any kind of confirmation from them although it was speculated in some quarters.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Was there ever really a Fire Ken King chant?

That's a bit distasteful.

Someone earlier in the thread suggested one for the home opener.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Remember this is the same mayor who is ok with a $245 mil library on our dime. This is also the same mayor who was not able to shut his mouth about Cal Wenzel and stole public money to pay for his lawsuit, which he eventually paid back interest free. CSEC is completely fear mongering in all of this, however I would have much rather our purple prince used this gigantic waste of money on a new arena instead of a ghost town library.

Library circulation is at an all time high - new central libraries tend to drive participation even higher.

[jemjey]

Flames ownership and KK are a bunch of ####s

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

however I would have much rather our purple prince used this gigantic waste of money on a new arena instead of a ghost town library.

Goddamn it these takes need to stop. Bang on the blue ring forever, don't care, but choosing the enrich billionaires over a library....no.

[SmoggyFlamesFan]

This is all bull####. Can we just freaking make a deal already? I could care less about this city if the flames aren't in it. This is honestly upsetting, and the fact that alot of people could care less if they leave or not makes my blood boil. KK is as much to blame for this as Nenshi. I get that we don't want to bend over backwards with public funding, but what else does it go towards? A space bridge? A half a million dollar stick and stone art exhibit? A giant statue of a head in front of the bow building? I'd much rather spend public money on an arena (even if not a large sum) than on all that useless crap. For that vote alone I will not be voting Nenshi back in.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The city gets a lot more from the Flames brand. They get the economic boom (jobs with the Flames and money spent elsewhere), the charities, and good vibes in the city. Does crappy artwork give the city that?

This city is already pretty dead, without the Flames there would be nothing to do on a Thursday night in January.

That is selling Calgary awfully short.

[Tron_fdc]

So does this mean the Stamps are for sale too?