Let's Go Blues

OILERS BRASS VISITS SEATTLE ARENA AMID TALKS WITH EDMONTON
TSN.ca Staff
9/25/2012 12:28:09 PM


Oilers owner Daryl Katz led a group of team brass on a tour of Seattle's KeyArena on Monday, sparking speculation that he may move the team out West if he doesn't get an arena deal finalized in Edmonton.

Katz and other Oilers brass – including team president and COO Patrick LaForge and president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe - toured the city's multipurpose arena that housed the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics until 2008 when the team left for Oklahoma City.

"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," executive vice president of the Edmonton Arena Corporation for the Katz Group Bob Black said in a statement issued Monday night.

"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."

The news comes on the heels of reports that Katz was frustrated with Edmonton city council over stalled negotiations for a new arena in Edmonton.

On Tuesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released the following statement regarding the arena situation.

"We continue to believe that an arena deal is achievable and with a new arena, there should be no reason to have any doubts about the future of the Oilers in Edmonton," said Bettman.

Speaking to the Edmonton Journal last week, Katz said, "What's come out of the city over the past several days, to be frank, is unfair, untrue and totally counterproductive if what we're trying to do is secure the Oilers' future in Edmonton and have us participate in the development of a new arena and sports entertainment district."


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It's gotta be for leverage right? Mario went to KC to get the Penguins' arena in Pittsburgh. The Devils flirted with Nashville back in the 90's. I think it would be a shame if the Oilers were to leave. Plus, KeyArena can't even house an NBA team anymore, so unless it's a temporary home, that wouldn't be a good situation. I'm not opposed to Seattle getting a team at some point, but wouldn't it be smarter to move the Coyotes instead of the Oilers, who sellout almost every game?

We have a lockout atm, so smarter, wiser or best for everyone doesn't fit into the equation on any level with these idiots. Expect anything.

The city that may put up the biggest fight to keep the Oilers in Edmonton, ironically, might be Calgary.

I thought the new Edmonton arena was already being built. In any event, I'd doubt the Oilers move to Seattle.

If the Oilers move to Seattle I'll sell my horse and buy a car.

sseagle wrote:OILERS BRASS VISITS SEATTLE ARENA AMID TALKS WITH EDMONTON
TSN.ca Staff
9/25/2012 12:28:09 PM


Oilers owner Daryl Katz led a group of team brass on a tour of Seattle's KeyArena on Monday, sparking speculation that he may move the team out West if he doesn't get an arena deal finalized in Edmonton.

Katz and other Oilers brass – including team president and COO Patrick LaForge and president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe - toured the city's multipurpose arena that housed the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics until 2008 when the team left for Oklahoma City.

"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," executive vice president of the Edmonton Arena Corporation for the Katz Group Bob Black said in a statement issued Monday night.

"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."

The news comes on the heels of reports that Katz was frustrated with Edmonton city council over stalled negotiations for a new arena in Edmonton.

On Tuesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released the following statement regarding the arena situation.

"We continue to believe that an arena deal is achievable and with a new arena, there should be no reason to have any doubts about the future of the Oilers in Edmonton," said Bettman.

Speaking to the Edmonton Journal last week, Katz said, "What's come out of the city over the past several days, to be frank, is unfair, untrue and totally counterproductive if what we're trying to do is secure the Oilers' future in Edmonton and have us participate in the development of a new arena and sports entertainment district."



http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=406031

I don't see how that's a good idea from Edmonton's point of view. Hockey does better in Canada, period - especially Edmonton. The sellout almost every game despite a losing team. It would be revenue suicide to move that team!

xbleed83bluex wrote:

sseagle wrote:OILERS BRASS VISITS SEATTLE ARENA AMID TALKS WITH EDMONTON
TSN.ca Staff
9/25/2012 12:28:09 PM


Oilers owner Daryl Katz led a group of team brass on a tour of Seattle's KeyArena on Monday, sparking speculation that he may move the team out West if he doesn't get an arena deal finalized in Edmonton.

Katz and other Oilers brass – including team president and COO Patrick LaForge and president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe - toured the city's multipurpose arena that housed the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics until 2008 when the team left for Oklahoma City.

"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," executive vice president of the Edmonton Arena Corporation for the Katz Group Bob Black said in a statement issued Monday night.

"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."

The news comes on the heels of reports that Katz was frustrated with Edmonton city council over stalled negotiations for a new arena in Edmonton.

On Tuesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released the following statement regarding the arena situation.

"We continue to believe that an arena deal is achievable and with a new arena, there should be no reason to have any doubts about the future of the Oilers in Edmonton," said Bettman.

Speaking to the Edmonton Journal last week, Katz said, "What's come out of the city over the past several days, to be frank, is unfair, untrue and totally counterproductive if what we're trying to do is secure the Oilers' future in Edmonton and have us participate in the development of a new arena and sports entertainment district."



http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=406031

I don't see how that's a good idea from Edmonton's point of view. Hockey does better in Canada, period - especially Edmonton. The sellout almost every game despite a losing team. It would be revenue suicide to move that team!

In my experience most city council's don't get the whole concept of sports team = revenue and don't totally comprehend the kind of damage that can happen when a team moves out of town. Most city coucils won't even try to help a team, even if the team has a massive draw and the real problem is finding ways of creating outlets to bring in more revenue which equals taxes which contributes to a city's health. They look at the team as money being spent and moreso, it's a black eye in the eyes of voters because you wouldn't hire more cops, but you'd spend the money on a stadium or to keep a team, losing, winning or otherwise.

Look at Oakland with the threat of the Athletics moving to Santa Clara, for instance. The mayors bold manuever to convince Lew Wolff to keep them in town was to stage a 'Stay In Oakland' rally, the result: A few hundred people, if that, attended. Now didn't that just send the right message.

Instead of allowing Wolff to sign off on Eminent Domain on a few dozen unused and small businesses along the freeway to build a new stadium for the team (They play in a stadium shared by the Raiders, a stadium that's been modified for football), and had extensive plans to create businesses, hotels and such that would do nothing but bring in revenue to the City of Oakland, they deny his requests and do a rally. Really?

That's city government for you. And with there being a lockout, if they are going to move the Oilers, they all know the time is now. And that goes for any other team in the league. Fans have to stand up against this and let their voice - and money - be heard.