doode
Rookie Member
Posts: 48
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Post by doode on Feb 17, 2011 10:55:22 GMT -5
Came across this article on the Interwebs today. It's in French, but I hate Google Translated docs, so I did it myself. Not a whole lot new in there, but note that there is NO mention of Winnipeg anywhere. I don't know if anyone reads this section, but here goes: lejournaldequebec.canoe.ca/journaldequebec/actualites/quebec/archives/2011/02/20110216-125034.htmlA bomb dropped in Atlanta when the co-owner of the Thrashers mentioned the possibility that the team could move if new investors aren’t found. Is a window opening for Quebec, which dreams of the return of the NHL? Gary Bettman cautioned Quebeckers, saying “It’s clear that Mr. Gearon made his frustration known on the subject of the situation in Atlanta, but it’s not a subject we want to discuss at this moment”, said the commissioner in an exchange of emails. “Any questions about the financial situation of the Thrashers should be asked of Mr. Gearon.” Bettman has always pretended that any relocations are not planned by the Board of Governors. “For the moment, I don’t want anyone in Quebec to get too excited about the possibility of relocation. The publication of an article in a newspaper doesn’t mean we want people in Quebec to get their hopes up.” Micheal Gearon was clear with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “There is a sense of urgency to find new investors or buyers to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta” declared the co-owner of Atlanta Spirit, the corporation that owns the Thrashers, the Hawks of the NBA and the Phillips Arena. “I don’t think there is a desire to lose another $20 million. We simply can’t let that happen.” Despite the terrible finances of the Thrashers, who’ve lost $130 million over the last 5 years, this is the first time that one of the owners mentioned that the team could move. “If moving is the only option, that’s what we’ll do” said Gearon. “In addition to a primary investor, we also need other investors.” The Thrashers have an average attendance of 4000 fans a game <me: is it really that low???>A person close to the situation says that the Thrashers could move quickly. “There are no investors at the moment” says our source. “The owners want to keep the team in Atlanta, but reserve the option to move. A move for next season hasn’t been ruled out.” The fans didn’t appreciate what Gearon said. “Many fans aren’t happy with the threats from the owners” said the same source. “They don’t appreciate that the owners have demanded that ticket sales increase.” Gearon was interviewed by WCNN radio, where he was less direct and mentioned that he wanted to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta. He has refused all other interview requests, as has president Dan Waddell.
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Post by jetsorbust on Feb 17, 2011 11:11:07 GMT -5
Good find, thanks for the translation.
I have to say, it certainly seems like the Quebec politicians (clearly) but also media and just everyone in general seem to get behind this a lot better than Winnipeg.
If I'm reading this right, the media had an actual series of emails with Bettman?
Thank god for our ownership group, because I think that clearly puts us ahead of Quebec right now, but sometimes a guy just really wishes Winnipeg would have a better attitude instead of saying what can't be done right away...
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Post by 14pac03 on Feb 17, 2011 11:11:54 GMT -5
normal its no mention of winnipeg lol, this is quebecor newspaper quebecor wants nhl back
so on radio in qc everyone said winnipeg its first
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Post by matrix on Feb 17, 2011 12:48:48 GMT -5
Winnipeg Sun We’re ready for Thrashers...But so is Quebec City www.winnipegsun.com/sports/columnists/ted_wyman/2011/02/16/17303426.html[...] We already know Daly and his boss Gary Bettman have suggested the league would like to put teams back in places like Winnipeg and Quebec. Bettman went so far as to suggest if the Phoenix Coyotes were to move, they should be offered to the Winnipeg ownership group first, as this is where the franchise originated.
There would be no such connection with the Thrashers and that’s where things could get dicey for Winnipeg’s hopes, even if the team is put on the sale and relocation block.
It’s been well documented that Quebec City wants an NHL team back. So much so, they are willing to spend $400 million of public money to build an arena on speculation that a team might eventually move there.
If the Thrashers go up for sale, you can bet the potential Quebec City ownership group will be front and centre. The possibility of a bidding war could exist.
I’m just not sure how badly Mark Chipman and his partner David Thomson would want to get into something like that.
[...]
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Post by curtwinnipeg on Feb 17, 2011 13:03:49 GMT -5
People from Winnipeg are generally insecure. That old "things MUST be better anywhere but here, Winnipeg sucks" CJOB type attitude that makes me want to slap them upside the head.
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Post by selanne405 on Feb 17, 2011 13:10:38 GMT -5
A bidding war between QC and WPG is an unrealistic situation the media is using to try and sell the story even further. Were ready right now Quenec still needs time before there ready.
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Post by 14pac03 on Feb 17, 2011 13:12:30 GMT -5
sorry but no
quebec can have a team in 2011
where we need time???
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Post by tim on Feb 17, 2011 13:13:27 GMT -5
Why would someone be dumb enough to get into a bidding war when the supply will be more then the demand. It's becoming a buyers market.
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Post by matrix on Feb 17, 2011 13:32:23 GMT -5
possibility : the NHL buy the team and offer it to the highest bidder !? Why give away a team when you can get more cash !
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Post by selanne405 on Feb 17, 2011 16:14:45 GMT -5
sorry but no quebec can have a team in 2011 where we need time??? Sorry you cant. You need time to 1) Get your arena funding sorted out, the fact that QC seems to be relying so much on tax dollars to fund the arena is a bad sign already. The federal governments involvment in the deal is now under a microscope since the idiotic conservative Quebec City MPs pleaded like 5 year olds for their daddy to give the city money. Ultimately if the federal government gives an inflated amount of money the entire deal will go up in smoke as there will be a national backlash against Harper and the conservative government everywhere but Quebec. The gas tax could be a solution but regardless it doesnt hide the fact that the city is relying on tax dollars for something that should be done primarily with private money. 2) Get a solid ownership group together and get established with the NHL. Thomson and MC probably have a better business relationship with GB than some of the current NHL owners. GB himself even praised the two for their patience, whoever owns a team in QC will likely have to show similair patience as it could still very well be fears till a team lands there. Realisticly if the PHX deal goes through we'll get Atlanta and QC will have to wait for the next team to go under. My guess would be another 3-5 years so the team would probably arrive just a few years after their new arena is done.
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Post by selanne405 on Feb 17, 2011 16:23:16 GMT -5
Oh and in addition Stephen Harper can no longer hide behind the bs excuse of "Its so they can have the olympics" when it comes to trying to give QC more than they deserve for their arena. Its been concluded recently for the 2nd time that QC cant host the winter olympics.
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doode
Rookie Member
Posts: 48
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Post by doode on Feb 17, 2011 16:41:47 GMT -5
Sorry you cant. You need time to 1) Get your arena funding sorted out, the fact that QC seems to be relying so much on tax dollars to fund the arena is a bad sign already. The federal governments involvment in the deal is now under a microscope since the idiotic conservative Quebec City MPs pleaded like 5 year olds for their daddy to give the city money. Ultimately if the federal government gives an inflated amount of money the entire deal will go up in smoke as there will be a national backlash against Harper and the conservative government everywhere but Quebec. The gas tax could be a solution but regardless it doesnt hide the fact that the city is relying on tax dollars for something that should be done primarily with private money. 2) Get a solid ownership group together and get established with the NHL. Thomson and MC probably have a better business relationship with GB than some of the current NHL owners. GB himself even praised the two for their patience, whoever owns a team in QC will likely have to show similair patience as it could still very well be fears till a team lands there. Realisticly if the PHX deal goes through we'll get Atlanta and QC will have to wait for the next team to go under. My guess would be another 3-5 years so the team would probably arrive just a few years after their new arena is done. I don't know why QC needs a $400 million hockey palace anyways, and if there is a potential Nordiques owner, why haven't they ponied up some cash for the arena? The other reason why there won't be a bidding war is that it won't be an auction. The NHL controls the sale. I'd want the Nords back probably as much as anyone outside of Quebec, but they simply aren't at the point we are yet.
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Post by selanne405 on Feb 17, 2011 16:49:59 GMT -5
Sorry you cant. You need time to 1) Get your arena funding sorted out, the fact that QC seems to be relying so much on tax dollars to fund the arena is a bad sign already. The federal governments involvment in the deal is now under a microscope since the idiotic conservative Quebec City MPs pleaded like 5 year olds for their daddy to give the city money. Ultimately if the federal government gives an inflated amount of money the entire deal will go up in smoke as there will be a national backlash against Harper and the conservative government everywhere but Quebec. The gas tax could be a solution but regardless it doesnt hide the fact that the city is relying on tax dollars for something that should be done primarily with private money. 2) Get a solid ownership group together and get established with the NHL. Thomson and MC probably have a better business relationship with GB than some of the current NHL owners. GB himself even praised the two for their patience, whoever owns a team in QC will likely have to show similair patience as it could still very well be fears till a team lands there. Realisticly if the PHX deal goes through we'll get Atlanta and QC will have to wait for the next team to go under. My guess would be another 3-5 years so the team would probably arrive just a few years after their new arena is done. I don't know why QC needs a $400 million hockey palace anyways, and if there is a potential Nordiques owner, why haven't they ponied up some cash for the arena? The other reason why there won't be a bidding war is that it won't be an auction. The NHL controls the sale. I'd want the Nords back probably as much as anyone outside of Quebec, but they simply aren't at the point we are yet. Exactly, if whoever is going to own a team in QC wants a 400 million dollar arena they can take the same government handouts that we got for the MTSC and pay the rest out of their own pocket. As I said a big excuse used for that amount and Harper's involvment was so they could make an olympic bid but again for the 2nd time the city was deemed inelgible so Harper will have to find another way to buy votes.
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Post by 14pac03 on Feb 17, 2011 17:00:21 GMT -5
sorry but no quebec can have a team in 2011 where we need time??? Sorry you cant. You need time to 1) Get your arena funding sorted out, the fact that QC seems to be relying so much on tax dollars to fund the arena is a bad sign already. The federal governments involvment in the deal is now under a microscope since the idiotic conservative Quebec City MPs pleaded like 5 year olds for their daddy to give the city money. Ultimately if the federal government gives an inflated amount of money the entire deal will go up in smoke as there will be a national backlash against Harper and the conservative government everywhere but Quebec. The gas tax could be a solution but regardless it doesnt hide the fact that the city is relying on tax dollars for something that should be done primarily with private money. 2) Get a solid ownership group together and get established with the NHL. Thomson and MC probably have a better business relationship with GB than some of the current NHL owners. GB himself even praised the two for their patience, whoever owns a team in QC will likely have to show similair patience as it could still very well be fears till a team lands there. Realisticly if the PHX deal goes through we'll get Atlanta and QC will have to wait for the next team to go under. My guess would be another 3-5 years so the team would probably arrive just a few years after their new arena is done. where have you been last week its green light, the arena will be built press conference!!! with no federal money quebecor + pepsi + labatt are you joking??
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Post by kj79 on Feb 17, 2011 17:05:42 GMT -5
Shovels in the ground? We know with our new stadium its not done until the shovels enter the ground and even then. We had 3 pressers saying it was done, then a sod turning and it still wasn't done. And finally today they poured concrete for the first time.
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Post by 14pac03 on Feb 17, 2011 17:07:01 GMT -5
they need to make plan and devis
and we have the colisée pepsi with more seat than your new arena so....
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Post by selanne405 on Feb 17, 2011 18:29:21 GMT -5
Lol I love people who say our arena has more seats so its better. Theres still plenty of red tape with the arena especially with regards to the whole gas tax or whatever they want to use now. Fact is an NHL team COULD play in the colisee pepsi while the new arena is being built BUT that wont happen until theres 1) A gurantee the arena is being built and 2) A team is actually available to move. QC is 2nd in line so if the deal in PHX dies and we get the coyotes your city moves into first and can snag the thrashers.
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Post by 14pac03 on Feb 17, 2011 18:40:54 GMT -5
Lol I love people who say our arena has more seats so its better. Theres still plenty of red tape with the arena especially with regards to the whole gas tax or whatever they want to use now. Fact is an NHL team COULD play in the colisee pepsi while the new arena is being built BUT that wont happen until theres 1) A gurantee the arena is being built and 2) A team is actually available to move. QC is 2nd in line so if the deal in PHX dies and we get the coyotes your city moves into first and can snag the thrashers. are you killing me, what was the press conference last week, to announce the sky is blue or what??? stop talking about tax gas, its not true and the mayor reject it www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2011/02/10/quebec-arena-announcement.htmli saw you dont really know very well quebec situation
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Post by The Winning Pegs on Feb 17, 2011 18:56:39 GMT -5
Lol I love people who say our arena has more seats so its better. Theres still plenty of red tape with the arena especially with regards to the whole gas tax or whatever they want to use now. Fact is an NHL team COULD play in the colisee pepsi while the new arena is being built BUT that wont happen until theres 1) A gurantee the arena is being built and 2) A team is actually available to move. QC is 2nd in line so if the deal in PHX dies and we get the coyotes your city moves into first and can snag the thrashers. are you killing me, what was the press conference last week, to announce the sky is blue or what??? stop talking about tax gas, its not true and the mayor reject it www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2011/02/10/quebec-arena-announcement.htmli saw you dont really know very well quebec situation I am fearful for quebec to become the next hamilton
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Post by 14pac03 on Feb 17, 2011 18:58:34 GMT -5
i love your arrogance
we all know your first on the line, but stop being arrogant for sake
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