After a meeting of federal, provincial, municipal and
NHL reps in Canada yesterday, officials said that "they feel
good about the future of small-market Canadian teams,"
according to Shoalts, Lunman & Laghi of the Toronto GLOBE &
MAIL. The discussions for "economic help" went "well" and
another meeting "is planned for" July. Senators Chair Rod
Bryden: "I was very encouraged by the discussion today."
Shoalts, Lunman & Laghi added that the federal gov't is
"willing to provide" economic support as long as the
provinces and cities with NHL teams "chip in." Federal
Industry Minister John Manley: "We will be part of the
solution, but we're not willing to be the whole solution."
NHLPA Exec Dir Bob Goodenow was an "active participant" in
the meeting after it appeared the NHLPA "would not
participate" at one point. However, what the NHLPA "would
contribute" to the economic solution "wasn't clear." Manley
"denied a report" that the federal gov't is willing to
provide $15M a year to the franchises, but one "possible
solution discussed" is "handing over" some provincial
lottery revenues (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 6/29). In Toronto,
John Schmied writes officials "discussed the heavy tax
burden and the faltering Canadian dollar -- two factors that
give U.S. teams a major advantage." Manley: "I think we
accepted that hockey is important ... for Canada. It wasn't
tax relief that we discussed" (TORONTO SUN, 6/29). League
figures showed that the Canadiens, Senators, Maple Leafs,
Flames, Oilers and Canucks lost a "combined" C$170M during
the '96-'97 and '97-'98 seasons (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/28).
TAX BREAK? In Toronto, Tim Harper noted that public
opinion on possible gov't help has changed: "Manley and the
hockey owners have so far successfully muted those
traditional opponents of any move that smacks of taxpayer
help for millionaires" (TORONTO STAR, 6/29). But a Toronto
GLOBE & MAIL editorial questions whether public funding is
necessary: "What is the league doing to improve its balance
sheet other than spending copiously and bleating about being
victimized by the free-spending Americans? ... Before they
get a penny of public money, the teams should sign an
agreement promising to pay it all back if they decide to
abandon the game in the home arenas and move south to the
United States" (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/29). In Toronto, Stephen
Brunt: "If someone was looking for a risk-free place to lay
blame, you can't imagine an easier target than the players
and their union" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 6/29).
