CanWest Communications Chair Izzy Asper said Friday "he
doesn't like the way" the Spirit of Manitoba is planning to
finance the Jets and hinted that he may "no longer be involved"
with the sale if he does not like the financing options,
according to John Douglas of the WINNIPEG FREE PRESS. Asper "is
said to be upset that the scheme" to buy the team and fund future
losses "favors investors in the team's limited partnership over
people who make a charitable contribution" to the team's
endowment fund (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 7/15). In a Saturday op-ed
piece, Brian Cole writes that "one thing is clear: Spirit's
chances of succeeding are better with Mr. Asper raising money and
playing an active role in negotiations with the NHL than they are
without him" (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 7/15). Scott Taylor writes,
"Most people would agree, without Asper, the Spirit doesn't live"
(WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 7/16). In the wake of Asper's new-found
second thoughts, Winnipeg City Councilor Terry Duguid yesterday
withdrew his support to use city funds for a new arena (WINNIPEG
FREE PRESS, 7/17).
