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Originally Posted by Bad Grizzly
I meant the Flames org CSE. It only mentions PBA, UofC and the city.
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That's part of Post Media's strategy. If they mentioned the discussions between Smith and the Flames, it would be seen as more negative. The Stampeder Owners cannot not be part of this discussion. The fact they are not mentioned by Post Media (surprise surprise) is a hallmark of cherry picking biased media.
Can you tell me in what universe a professional sports franchise would not be part of an article about a new arena / stadium for their team? It can only be explained by the fact that Post Media ownership is part of the Flames billionaires network (which includes developers and home builders for the most part). Think about it. Would any article about a new Flames arena make sense without the Flames owners? If that were pushed by someone, say Smith, any legit and unbiased news organization would ask that question and then independently approach the owners with questions IE what are you putting into this. This proposal actually reminds me of the Ottawa proposal for a new arena in downtown (which just broke down a few months ago, because the developer in that case revealed that in effect, the owner of the franchise that would most benefit from a new arena basically wanted the city and the developer to pay for their arena, and wanted to contribute zero themselves). The Ottawa owner and Flames ownership are business partners and so am not surprised of the same thing proposed here.
Still, like I said earlier, I'm curious about this and feel it has more potential than the west village proposal.
As a reminder of the parallel project in Ottawa that broke down, here is what I had shared on that earlier:
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Originally Posted by suburbia
As some will know, the Ottawa Senators owner has been pushing for a new arena combined with development deal in that city also. To do this, he partnered with Trinity Development. Like the Flames west village proposal, the Senators proposal includes massive development opportunities for the owner, with the full project being to the tune of $4B. Well, pretty tough dealing with NHL owners, it appears. Melnyk, the Senator's owner, is suing his development partner Ruddy for $700M. His development partner Ruddy, is suing Melnyk for $1B.
https://ottawacitizen.com/business/local...r-eugene-melnyk-and-developer-john-ruddy
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Ruddy asserts, “Melnyk’s true aim is to have the City of Ottawa and Trinity fund and build the $500 million U.S. ($675 million Cdn.) event centre for the Ottawa Senators hockey, with the Senators getting 30 years free rent."
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Interestingly, like Murray Edwards, who doesn't live in Calgary and pay tax here, the Senators' sole owner Melnyk has moved to Barbados. As another point of connection, Libin, one of the minor Flames' owners, sold the International Hotel to Melnyk not too long ago. Same sandbox I guess.
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Now clearly, the Flames have learned something from the failed Ottawa experience. Here they have put up a front man - Bill Smith - and are doing things in a fashion that almost makes them invisible.