Flames Buying Lacrosse Team

I know you’re a huge fan Marisa, but unfortunately I think you’re making a statement of faith rather than fact. The Flames have definitely had the opportunity to buy this team since January (when they went on sale in the press), and likely there was at least a tacit offer going back to the last labour action (2008 I think?). Considering they just now pulled the trigger, it seems unlikely that there’s a big financial windfall apparent in the deal.

Even beyond that, I don’t think the problem was promotion. I’m not a lacrosse fan at all, and I get their ticket promotions from the Fan960 newsletter all the time (typical offer would be 25% off face). Awareness and coverage of the Roughnecks are actually not that bad around here. I attended the season opener and the semi-final vs. Colorado, and the crowds were middling at best. Based on lots of trips to the ‘dome, the posted attendance was optimistic at best. Of course, I probably wouldn’t have gone if I’d had to pay for the tickets (and I go to tons of sports and other events around town).

Now, in this particular situation I think our goals are aligned: If we get an awesome new stadium and you get to keep lacrosse in Calgary for a couple more years (with the opportunity to grow the revenues), then its obviously a win-win.