Nashville Predators moving to Canada? NOPE! Sorry, Canucks (and KC!)...

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

Great, now you are insulting my blue Leafs jersey ;D

 

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

<a href="http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/10003ECBE11FBAD9?artistid=1136010&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=9">
In a rather presumptuous move, you can go to this site and put your money down for "Hamilton Predators" tickets. Shouldn't we at least wait until Balsillie owns the team?</a>

 

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

1997: Nashville taxpayers pay $200 million for arena, to attract "major league sports franchise."

2007: Nashville Predators prepare to skip town.

Any and all taxpayers being blackmailed to build new arenas, take note.

 

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

Everybody's an editor, I guess.

 

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

II posted this over at the 2007 NHL Awards thread

Now, for those of you who don't think Hamilton/SW Ontario can support another NHL team, look at these mind-boggling stats. From David Shoalts (he's right on top of this story) column in today's Globe

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070614.wspt-shoalts-col-14/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/home

By the end of yesterday (Thursday), Balsillie and company reeled in about $6.25-million in deposits on season tickets and luxury suites at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton.

Sixty of the 70 proposed suites were booked at $5,000 each, according to The Canadian Press, while 4,700 lower-bowl seats went for $1,000 each and about 2,500 upper-bowl seats went for $500 each.

That's ONE day.

The sound you just heard was Bettman's head exploding---again.

Love this shit. Keep it coming, Jim.

 

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

Didn't Hamilton just win the Calder Cup?

 

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

Balsillie's head will be spinning when the Sabres and Leafs come looking for their territorial fees.

Copps is a fucking dump.

 

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

Buffalo was doing the same thing a couple of years ago. When the Sabres had to travel to Raleigh for the Eastern Conference finals, I saw the place almost overrun with Buffalo fans. It wasn't because the Hurricanes fans weren't disinterested. According to what a couple of Buffalo fans were saying, they were easily commanding four-digit costs for the seats at home.

In contrast, I had a seat a in the first couple of rows of the upper deck for $90. No wonder the RBC Center ESA was overrun.

 

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

When the Ducks came into the league, they were able to pay off their fees to the Kings over 10 years.

And, it should be noted, still managed to win a Stanley Cup before the Kings.

 

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

There was a story (a little while ago--I'll see if I can find it) where Balsillie may challenge the legality of the territorial fees. According to some legal experts, the Canadian Competition Bureau may find that it is illegal and constitutes restraint of trade under the Competition Act.

The territorial fees paid by the Devils & the Ducks were never on the table with the NHL Board of Governor's; they were apparently settled as a side issue between the two parties.

Balsillie plays extreme hardball and from what I've read never, ever, backs down from a good fight.

 

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

And they got a major league sports franchise for 10 years. However, they still have to support said franchise if they want it to stay. I believe they still have the arena if they want to attract a basketball team or arena football league team, as well as to attract major concerts and other events. These buildings are more than just tax subsidized playgrounds for millionares. They attract a lot of other user groups as well. And might I add, $200-million is relatively cheap for a state fo the art arena. Edmonton is looking at $400 million for a new rink. To overhaul Rexall would cost them $250-million.

 

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

they've also gotten several sec basketball tournaments and other events at the gaylord

but yeah, i agree with the basic idea that sports venues build with taxpayer funds are pretty much bullshit (especially when the giants were able to build what they did without it)