New Edmonton Arena Construction will begin in March 2014

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

I think that would depend on where the destination is. If the team where to move to Ontario (i.e. Leafs territory), I would expect the NHL to put a high price tag on relocation (assuming they approve such a move in the first place).

Dallas wasn't really a hockey market or had significant impact to any other NHL franchise.

That is true. Between Markham, Seattle and Quebec, Markham is the only one of the three where I could see a relocation fee imposed if a team like the Oilers or Islanders were to move to one of those cities.

[speeds]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Although right now there's three potential buildings who are looking for an NHL owner: Seattle, Quebec and Markham.

The proposed Seattle deal sees an investor put a bunch of money in to build an arena - who knows what kind of deal could be made but I'm not sure why that guy would invest a ton of money only to give the arena to Katz for very little money.

I have no idea what's going on in Quebec or Markham, not sure if he could get in on the deals there or not, were he willing to explore leaving EDM

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by speeds

The proposed Seattle deal sees an investor put a bunch of money in to build an arena - who knows what kind of deal could be made but I'm not sure why that guy would invest a ton of money only to give the arena to Katz for very little money.

I have no idea what's going on in Quebec or Markham, not sure if he could get in on the deals there or not, were he willing to explore leaving EDM

Chris Hansen doesn't want to own an NHL team. He's looking for someone to bring an NHL team there (or own an expansion team). From what I'm hearing, he and some of his partners have been pretty aggressive in trying to find an owner.

[speeds]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

If there was no team in Edmonton, the NHL would not approve a new team moving to Edmonton if there was no new arena coming. Rexall Place is not up to NHL standards. Bettman said this in the link I provided above.

How much do you think the quality of the arena matters in and of itself, vs. the ability of the arena to generate revenues? We already know the EDM arena is capable of generating good revenues even if it isn't the fanciest arenas.

[speeds]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Chris Hansen doesn't want to own an NHL team. He's looking for someone to bring an NHL team there (or own an expansion team). From what I'm hearing, he and some of his partners have been pretty aggressive in trying to find an owner.

I don't really know much about that proposal, how does he look to make his money back if he brings in a team he doesn't own? Charging rent to whoever owns the team?

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by speeds

I don't really know much about that proposal, how does he look to make his money back?

I don't know the details but he's much more interested in being a (part) owner on the NBA side and having the NHL team fill dates as a tenant.

[BlackRedGold25]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

If there was no team in Edmonton, the NHL would not approve a new team moving to Edmonton if there was no new arena coming. Rexall Place is not up to NHL standards. Bettman said this in the link I provided above.

Yeah, and Bettman never lies...

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by speeds

How much do you think the quality of the arena matters in and of itself, vs. the ability of the arena to generate revenues? We already know the EDM arena is capable of generating good revenues even if it isn't the fanciest arenas.

I think the arena's ability to generate revenue is completely maxed out. Capacity is low, they've put suites pretty much everywhere they can, no loge seating, limited areas for digital signage, etc.

Over time, staying there will hurt the franchise because it can be generating so much more revenue elsewhere.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

If the lease is expired, he can do whatever he wants. Otherwise, usually a penalty fee is involved.

I'm pretty sure that a move would require league approval.

[Mr.Coffee]

I guess I'm a little confused at:

1) How much the league can dictate whether or not a team "has to have" a new building or not, ie. it's not their business, so what enforcement can they make?

2) Why it is such a big deal in a market that works like Edmonton, ie. is it a basic level of "product quality" they are trying to make minimum for an NHL franchise, why do they care?

I just find it odd that Bettman would dictate whether or not an owner has to unload hundreds of millions on a new arena, I thought his relationship with the owners was more the other way around?

Also, if there is a lockout, it sure as fata won't help with public support in paying for an arena. What, you want the taxpayers to spend hundreds of millions so you idiots can argue over millions of dollars every 6 or 7 years???

[speeds]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

I think the arena's ability to generate revenue is completely maxed out. Capacity is low, they've put suites pretty much everywhere they can, no loge seating, limited areas for digital signage, etc.

Over time, staying there will hurt the franchise because it can be generating so much more revenue elsewhere.

I would disagree that ability to generate revenue is maxed out. Are you telling me they can't make more money from all the revenue sources you've mentioned if the team improves?

You can't improve capacity, but can they get more per ticket, per suite, per sign, as the team improves?

[TurnedTheCorner]

You will have to pry the Saddledome out of Ken King's cold, dead hands.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by speeds

I would disagree that ability to generate revenue is maxed out. Are you telling me they can't make more money from all the revenue sources you've mentioned if the team improves?

You can't improve capacity, but can they get more per ticket, per suite, per sign, as the team improves?

Maxed out in terms of inventory. Obviously you can jack up prices until the end of time but eventually that hits a breaking point.

[Northendzone]

Here is a crazy idea, why not scale back the plans by $150m and then get er done........as a taxpayer, I am no longer interested in funding anymore giant sports facilities anywhere in Canada.......

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Here is a crazy idea, why not scale back the plans by $150m and then get er done........as a taxpayer, I am no longer interested in funding anymore giant sports facilities anywhere in Canada.......

The taxpayer has spoken.

[browna]

The only surprising part about this is that the alarm bells are being run so early in the project. I figure the thing would start significantly rising from the ground before he employs this (long planned) PR tactic to squeeze the city who also cries poor and runs to the province to make yet another attempt at the $100m squeeze play they wanted the AB Govt. from the beginning.

Must be worse off then thought. If the other $100m is needed so soon, when they get nearer the end and inevitably run short of money yet again, he may have tapped all his good will and public funding sources.

A whole lot of hot air in the previous two updates..the original grandiose plan 6 months ago, then the updated, scaled back model a couple months back.

[saskflames69]

If the Oilers did move.. that would actually suck the big one. I'd be pretty sad.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by saskflames69

If the Oilers did move.. that would actually suck the big one. I'd be pretty sad.

I would be dancing in the streets! Maximum schadenfreude!

[VERVE]

Here is a letter from the Katz group to the City dated yesterday regarding what the impass is and there are lots of issues to settle far more than previously thought.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/105756504/Sept-11-Katz-Group-arena-letter

Essentially, the arena cannot be build on $450 mil-cost overruns, that is the beginning but still alot of undisclosed problems.

Edit: I see this has been presented earlier...oops.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

I would be dancing in the streets! Maximum schadenfreude!

As much as I hate the Oilers, them leaving would be a tragedy. Don't cheer for Canadian teams, but I never want to see another Canadian city lose theirs.