NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman yesterday said that the league is "no closer to returning to Quebec City" despite a planned C$400M, 18,000-seat arena to be built by '15. Bettman on CBC Radio said, "(Putting a team in Quebec City) is nothing that we're currently considering. They haven't broken ground on a building. Plans are plans until they become a reality. ... We were very candid and told everybody in Quebec City, 'Listen, obviously we couldn't consider ever coming back without a new building, but don't build a new building on our account.' ... I get concerned about expectations being raised" (QMI AGENCY, 3/2).
Meanwhile, Canada's federal government yesterday "appeared to firmly slam the door on funding" the arena, as Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume warned of "dire political consequences for the Conservatives." Senior federal officials "sent talking points to Tory MPs and senators that did not mention Quebec City by name, but declared that the government had 'decided against' creating a sports facility funding program" (CP, 3/2).
