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Edmonton rejects Oiler [Arena] bid for more taxpayer dollars
And if Edmonton loses the team they aren't going to get one back as long as there isn't a long term arena solution.
If Edmonton loses the team the NHL just drops another notch this time below the WNBA. The NHL makes money in about 10 cities and Edmonton is one of them the league is becoming a gong show with Bettman playing the part of "Chuck' Barris" better than he could himself!
i was going to write this news item off as pure posturing by Katz but it got me thinking of when the Jets left Winnipeg and the posturing that occured in the years before they actually did leave. i reckon nothings impossible. or is it anything is possible?
this kind of posturing is always a worry. It's starts out as posturing to pressure an arena deal, then the new location makes a great offer which sows a few seeds, owner goes back and get rebuffed and gets angry and suddenly those seeds start to grow. What starts out as a shakedown ends up more serious.
Is this guy a credible media guy in Philly? Cause to me he sounds like he has no idea what he's actually talking about and is going on a completely unnecesary rant that has nothing to do with anything on the arena.
Maybe an attempt at some attention? lol...
He sounds like a typical ignorant, arrogant SOB. I like what he implied about Saskatoon too. Sad that there are still morons like that in the media.
And what's with Gretzky going? Lost some respect for him.
Yeah, but mario was a prospective buyer was he not?
Is gretz buying into oilers then?
i went on a trip with my parents to BC when I was a kid but I sure wasn't looking to buy the Canucks. I think Gretz was just looking for something to do and thought a road trip would be fun.
The following statement is attributable to Bob Black, Executive Vice President, Edmonton Arena Corporation, Katz Group:
"I can confirm that Daryl Katz, Patrick LaForge, Kevin Lowe and others from the Oilers leadership group are in Seattle for meetings and to attend the Seahawks game.
We remain committed to working with City Administration to achieve a deal commensurate with what Winnipeg and Pittsburgh have done to sustain the NHL in those small markets. If we can achieve such a deal, the Oilers will remain in Edmonton and we can get on with the important work of developing the new arena and investing in the continued revitalization of Edmonton's downtown core.
Nonetheless, and as the City of Edmonton is aware, the Katz Group has been listening to proposals from a number of potential NHL markets for some time. After more than four years of trying to secure an arena deal and with less than 24 months remaining on the Oilers' lease at Rexall Place, this is only prudent and should come as no surprise.
We are extremely grateful to Oilers' fans for their patience and loyalty as we work through this process towards what we sincerely hope will be a long and successful future for the Oilers in Edmonton. We have no further comment on the status of our discussions with other markets at this time."
i went on a trip with my parents to BC when I was a kid but I sure wasn't looking to buy the Canucks. I think Gretz was just looking for something to do and thought a road trip would be fun.
I was a kid when Quebec moved but I wonder if the first news about possible relocation was met like this considering the fact that that team was almost as passionate as Edm. I'm guessing the tickets weren't as overpriced but people probably did not believe the team would move when it happened (and from what I know, it wasn't over an arena so different situation but you get the point).
Anyways, greedy people like Katz are the same guys who are part of the owner's group currently taking part in the new CBA....no wonder this **** happens. Either keep playing in your current arena till you have the fund to build a new one or bite down, build the new one, bear the costs for the short-term and then see a bigger profit than now with the revenue from the new arena.
If the Oilers move before Phoenix I'm done with hockey. A team that actually has a high ticket price and rabid fanbase could be on the verge of relocation, while the NHL does everything they can do to keep another team in a city where fans won't even go to games despite one of the lowest ticket prices in the league is absolutely ridiculous.
I don't follow the game as much as I use to. With all the crap with Phoenix and the slow move to change the game it's just not as appealing to this Canadian fan.
As much as we can discuss this, there is no doubt in my mind (and probably many others) that the Oilers will not move. The NHL has already learned from this when Winnipeg left for Phoenix, and later came back.
Edmonton has 2 years to get that arena deal done before the lease expires. There is no guarantees that Sodo arena will be built. Environmental impact review could kill the Sodo proposal. Today's approval by Seattle as well the approval by King county starts the process but until there is shovel to ground there is a chance it might not happen.
I have lost a lot of respect for the Canadian members of the NHLPA.
They don't care at all. How many times was it rumored they were complaning about small canadian markets? At least Lebron was honest.
They love the NY, Boston, Philly, DC, LA, Chicago lights like any or the no pressure of Miami and LA. It's what it is. It because like how Canada can't keep their entertainment talent in the country.
As much as we can discuss this, there is no doubt in my mind (and probably many others) that the Oilers will not move. The NHL has already learned from this when Winnipeg left for Phoenix, and later came back.
As much as we can discuss this, there is no doubt in my mind (and probably many others) that the Oilers will not move. The NHL has already learned from this when Winnipeg left for Phoenix, and later came back.
What exactly has the NHL learned from Phoenix, 16 years in the desert and 16 straight years of losses, 3 years without ownership, no ownership possibility without massive subsidization of team losses. If anything the NHL has proven once again to be a real SLOW learner.
As much as we can discuss this, there is no doubt in my mind (and probably many others) that the Oilers will not move. The NHL has already learned from this when Winnipeg left for Phoenix, and later came back.
It'd be interesting to see if Bettman would fight for Edmonton the way's he's fought for Phoenix. I don't know the answer to that, but he's already stated emphatically the Oilers won't stay without a new arena, so looks like he's getting cutthroat, too. He stabbed Winnipeg in the back when they still had a shot at working things out in '95. I don't think he learned much from that if he's now spewing threats at another great hockey market.
It'd be interesting to see if Bettman would fight for Edmonton the way's he's fought for Phoenix. I don't know the answer to that, but he's already stated emphatically the Oilers won't stay without a new arena, so looks like he's getting cutthroat, too. He stabbed Winnipeg in the back when they still had a shot at working things out in '95. I don't think he learned much from that if he's now spewing threats at another great hockey market.
Bettman's true colour's (color's) starting to show, 11 teams below Edmonton in attendance last season, probably a handful above that discount tickets yet fights for teams in southern US markets that can't even give tickets away.
