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Friday, October 15, 1999
Flames boss makes his case crystal clear
Toronto experienced a rain and wind storm on Tuesday but it had evaporated by the time Bremner, a boy from eastern Hamilton, addressed the staid Empire Club on the plight of small-market Canadian teams in the NHL.
"The topic has been debated and discussed so often that everybody had heard it before," said Bremner. "In fact, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced in New York this morning that Gordon Pinsent and Sheila Copps were named his special advisors. They had done more in 30 minutes than we in two and a half years.
"Also, I see John Nunziata (MP) is in the paper this morning asking for a ban on fighting in the NHL in return for any help to Canadian (NHL) teams. In response to that, a B.C. MP has asked that if the province helps in any way, that all Canuck minor penalties be only one minute in duration."
After that, the likeable and knowledgeable hockey executive put on a serious face and explained the problems Canadian small-market NHL teams have to battle.
"Hockey is more than a game to us Canadians," he understated. "It runs through our veins and our history, much like democracy, fairness and decency.
"Yes, nobody can deny the emotional impact of this game on our country. But there's more than emotion to this game --there's lots of economics involved. In fact, there are 8,600 full- and part-time jobs involved with over $300 million in wages and benefits, as well as $211 million in taxes.
"Add to it the fact the NHL has spent over $1 billion in arena facilities over the last year and that betting on NHL games accounts for over $172 million a year in Sports Select lottery revenues -- and we don't get a cent in return, even though they use our schedule, our games."
Bremner continued to hammer away with undisputable facts. The lack of population in small-market areas has an adverse affect on advertising, television and ticket sales. The unfavourable Canadian-U.S. exchange rate means a 35-45% operating deficiency. That exchange rate cost the Flames $12 million last year.
"We're not asking for handouts," said Bremner. "All we're asking for is fairness. Treat us the same as the book publishing industry, which receives assistance to promote Canadian publishing. Or the technology sector, which received $414 million in 1996 to help Canadians compete internationally. Or, how about the huge incentives to the U.S. film industry to bring starving actors such as Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone to Canada to assist our film and television industry.
"Doesn't it make more sense to have all levels of governments to work with (NHL) teams and ownership to see how to make the game prosper and grow? To see, if together they can take those Sport Select lottery revenues from $172 million to $200 million and more."
Indeed, would it make sense to lose all that tax money if some other Canadian team left for the U.S., just as Quebec and Winnipeg did? Moreover, another Canadian city or two could lose their international identities if the teams moved to the U.S.
Politicians, and people in general, should realize it's not about supporting millionaire hockey players. Former players of the Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets are making even more money in Denver and Phoenix. They wouldn't lose by a move.
It's about the thousands of lost Canadian jobs and the dreams of Canadian youngsters to one day play for the Flames, Leafs, Canadiens, Senators, Oilers and Canucks.
The time has come to save all remaining Canadian cities in the NHL.
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