How does he figure we still have 3 and half years when it takes at least 2 years to build a new arena?
I think he believes (like I do ) that it'll go right up to the 11th hour before any deal is struck
therefore , the isles may potentially be playing in the nvmc beyond the current lease while new arena is constructed or playing in nvmc while its renovated during X amount of time during a few off-seasons
What I took out of the article is what I have been saying all along.
There is no place for Wang to move the team to.
I think this was more Bettman sending a message than anything else. Seattle has no arena, Qubec City has the same arena problem the Isles currently have and we all know the KC expirment failed. So where's he going?
Those of you who are espousing the "they wont leave because they have no where else to go" mindset are kidding yourselves. There are plenty of places for them to relocate to outside of the NY Metro area.
First and foremost, Quebec. It's not guaranteed by any stretch of the imagination that Phoenix is going to wind up there (at least not by 2015) especially now since they allegedly have 3 separate ownership groups looking at buying them and keeping them in AZ. Ownership is already in place (Quebecor) and the new arena is coming.
Then you've got right behind them, Toronto. The area could clearly support multiple teams and a new arena is even being built in a nearby suburb.
Seattle, great sports town with a hockey history and no other winter sports competition. Sure the arena isnt ideal, but with a strong owner and the promise of a new one in the next 5 years, the NHL couldnt move a team there fast enough.
Then you've got other markets like Kansas City, Houston, Hamilton, ONT, etc. where if the right owner happened to appear it would quickly become a viable market.
It's Bettman saying what he's supposed to say. The isles are gone after 2015 if there's no new arena-I think we all know that. Bettman's really done all he can for us so far.
Quote:
Originally Posted by IceAce
Those of you who are espousing the "they wont leave because they have no where else to go" mindset are kidding yourselves. There are plenty of places for them to relocate to outside of the NY Metro area.
First and foremost, Quebec. It's not guaranteed by any stretch of the imagination that Phoenix is going to wind up there (at least not by 2015) especially now since they allegedly have 3 separate ownership groups looking at buying them and keeping them in AZ. Ownership is already in place (Quebecor) and the new arena is coming.
Then you've got right behind them, Toronto. The area could clearly support multiple teams and a new arena is even being built in a nearby suburb.
Seattle, great sports town with a hockey history and no other winter sports competition. Sure the arena isnt ideal, but with a strong owner and the promise of a new one in the next 5 years, the NHL couldnt move a team there fast enough.
Then you've got other markets like Kansas City, Houston, Hamilton, ONT, etc. where if the right owner happened to appear it would quickly become a viable market.
I agree 100%. All of those options are at least as viable as the NY metro is right now for the Isles (and some more viable).
