[St. John's] Sports & Entertainment

[ec1983]

Originally Posted by cdotr

Does the city have some issue with Dean MacDonald? I mean I think the idea of all the alterations to Mile One seems a bit over the top, but I like the ambition and planning. It's great to see someone want to do something positive.

What does the city do; goes and gives him the equivilant of the middle finger.

I certainly would move my teams to other venues as well.

Other than the fact that the city built Mile One and the Convention Centre what is it that we are missing here about possibly selling it?

What is Dean MacDonald actually offering though? The details concerning lease or purchase price haven't been made public.

I know Dean MacDonald is a rich guy but I don't see him having the level of wealth that he represents to the public.

[jjavman]

Originally Posted by ec1983

What is Dean MacDonald actually offering though? The details concerning lease or purchase price haven't been made public.

I know Dean MacDonald is a rich guy but I don't see him having the level of wealth that he represents to the public.

That's just it. We don't know. If the hang up is refusing to assume the $1 Million liability in the lease, then I don't have a problem with what the city did. Who is supposed to assume the liabilities if ASE sells to McDonald? Taxpayers of St. John's?

He doesn't want ownership of the team out of some 'civic duty' to St. John's, but for potential profit obviously. I would suggest that a $1 million liability, is pocket change to an entity with the resources to own 2 professional sports franchises in St. John's. Not to mention the other endeavours Deacon is involved with.

It would be unreasonable to suggest that the city is playing underhandedly just to somehow spite McDonald. Council has a fiduciary duty to the taxpayers of the city ... not DSE.

[Horsell]

So, are we all in agreement that Dean MacDonald has a certain level of wealth (or available credit) to have a professional sports "hobby", because let's face it, it's not going to make much money for him.

I may be a little biased because I have known Dean for over 30 years and worked for him for a little over 10 and one thing I do know is that he knows how to negotiate a contract. I would rather have him negotiating for me than anyone associated with the City.

If you live and pay taxes in St. John's you should be concerned about what is going on down there in the Bunker. If this ABA deal is a done deal and the Growlers and Edge are shut out of Mile One you can bet that the SJSE subsidy will only increase in the years to come.

[Marty_Mcfly]

Originally Posted by Horsell

So, are we all in agreement that Dean MacDonald has a certain level of wealth (or available credit) to have a professional sports "hobby", because let's face it, it's not going to make much money for him.

I may be a little biased because I have known Dean for over 30 years and worked for him for a little over 10 and one thing I do know is that he knows how to negotiate a contract. I would rather have him negotiating for me than anyone associated with the City.

If you live and pay taxes in St. John's you should be concerned about what is going on down there in the Bunker. If this ABA deal is a done deal and the Growlers and Edge are shut out of Mile One you can bet that the SJSE subsidy will only increase in the years to come.

This ABA team won't last. Check out these supposedly reassuring words from a VOCM article this morning:

"Meanwhile, the executive director of the ABA, Joe Newman, says they have a good product. He’s not concerned about travel costs between the U-S and St. John’s as the Newfoundland team will be responsible for the airfare of the visitors.

The league will meet in Las Vegas in August to select 12 teams that will visit St. John’s to play two games each. Newman says if the fan base is large enough, the team will be profitable."

This reads like a team that's already dead in the water. You're paying for teams to come play here? Making a profit off of this business model is going to be impossible.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Marty_Mcfly

This reads like a team that's already dead in the water. You're paying for teams to come play here? Making a profit off of this business model is going to be impossible.

Covering travel costs for visiting teams is what sank the Fog Devils, wasn't it?

[Crisisnf]

Originally Posted by Horsell

So, are we all in agreement that Dean MacDonald has a certain level of wealth (or available credit) to have a professional sports "hobby", because let's face it, it's not going to make much money for him.

I may be a little biased because I have known Dean for over 30 years and worked for him for a little over 10 and one thing I do know is that he knows how to negotiate a contract. I would rather have him negotiating for me than anyone associated with the City.

If you live and pay taxes in St. John's you should be concerned about what is going on down there in the Bunker. If this ABA deal is a done deal and the Growlers and Edge are shut out of Mile One you can bet that the SJSE subsidy will only increase in the years to come.

He's 'doing very well'. (Seinfeld reference)

[djslue]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Covering travel costs for visiting teams is what sank the Fog Devils, wasn't it?

and that was teams from the Maritimes & Quebec. These teams will be coming from the USA. MUCH higher travel costs.

[Marty_Mcfly]

Well I don't think much needs to be said about the current situation at Mile One...

[statbass]

Originally Posted by Marty_Mcfly

Well I don't think much needs to be said about the current situation at Mile One...

Oh brother.... Not even worth talking about!

[bridgeoftea]

What is the latest with the Growlers? (not including any covid shutdowns)