Winnipeg Jets: For The Love Of The Game Documentary Part 2/3

This TSN Documentary examines the passion for the game of Hockey in Canada & the notion that perhaps the NHL is deliberately keeping Canadian teams out of its exclusive club.

This 3 part series looks as all aspects of keeping a franchise in Winnipeg thru interviews with all of the main players. Everyone from the Mayor Of Winnipeg, Premier of Manitoba, Owner of the Winnipeg Jets, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman & Most importantly; The Fans.

Something to think about while watching this documentary, If Bettman himself states that if there are not enough fans going to the games to make it successful; Why in 2008 are we stuck still watching failing franchises in the Southern States?

Winnipeg had the fan base however; our Arena was not suitable for the NHL to provide revenue for Players Salaries, etc however; other cities such as Pittsburgh were in the exact same position but Bettman did much more to keep that team there then he EVER did for our city of Winnipeg.

Also; although our Mayor at the time "Susan Thompson" comes off as a true supporter of keeping the Jets in Winnipeg, Just remember that SHE could have......

"In 1996, Winnipeg's mayor Susan Thompson spent $130 million of taxpayer money to prepare for the 1999 Pan American Games instead of building an arena for the Jets. The Pan-Am funds were used to improve roads and clean up Winnipeg for the 16-day event. Years later, the $130 million Winnipeg spent has amortized into nothing. Susan Thompson was thinking short-term instead of long-term. The benefits of an arena and a NHL team can be had for decades, while the benefits of new paint and fixed roads were felt for less then a single decade. Had Winnipeg not had such an incompetent mayor at the time, an arena would have been built long ago, and the Jets would still in Winnipeg"

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• winnipeg
• jets
• 1995
• 1996
• arena
• manitoba
• moose
• gary
• bettman
• nhl
• canada
• hockey
• teemu
• selanne
• tsn

[bearwarlock]

When was this made?

[JHendrix70]

@bearwarlock 1994-1995

[curlystube]

so bettman's only argument seems to be that winnipeg needed a new downtown arena

now we have one, where's our team gary?

i cant wait until this guy isnt the commisioner anymore

[JHendrix70]

That's exactly it. We now have a brand new NHL Calibre arena that allows our ownership group the opportunity to create the revenue needed to support an NHL Franchise. (Unlike the old Arena where W.E.C ran and took 75% of all Profits leaving the owners very little to spend on the team ) , ZERO Obstructed seats, and 750,000 Rabid Hockey fans waiting for the NHL's return! It'll happen sooner than people think!

Bring'Em Back!

[KappaKavala]

mts center holds just over 15 000, nhl arena needs atleast 19, bettman is a douche tho i agree, jetts should be back

[JHendrix70]

This logic just doesn't make sense. I agree with you regarding Bettman however; please check out both:

Jetsowner

Manitobamythbusters

Bring'Em Back!

[azstong]

I hope winnipeg gets a team back soon. Wouldn`t it be ironic if the coyotes attendences continue to suffer and gretzky and co, relocate the franchise back to winnipeg.

[mazdaman1982]

see its not Betman , he is just about the money and at that time there was no money , its not betman

[martman104]

@KappaKavala

I think it would be better to have a crammed 15,000 arena than 19,000+ empty seats out in the desert

[FAITHandLOGIC]

"Why have the taxpayers subsidize a franchise that not enough people are interested in?" - Bettman

Then why are you in Phoenix? Idiot.

[KtownRecordz556]

lulz at 7:13

[ECWnWWF]

If the NHL needs an arena with at least 19,000.....you better keep that on the low...or the Maple Leafs will have to move to Honolulu (which "might be" a hockey city)...Air Canada Center at max holds just over 18,000...

[obiwanobiwan13]

@statman06 Ahem...

I'm ALL FOR the Jets and Nordiques returning, but how can you say that LA and/or the NHL would be better off without the Ducks? The Ducks have been an example of how to do expansion right as they:

-DIDN'T STEAL FROM AN EXISTING TEAM

-Have benn pretty stable their entire existence

-Pack the arena

-Have established a hockey history and culture

-Have icons such as Selanne, Kariya, Giugere, Getzlaf, Perry...

Phoenix has nothing and should go home--C'MON, JETS!

[easton12]

I'd like to see some other sports teams make it into larger Canadian markets then the hockey in a small market like winnipeg. It would be better for this country's sport psyche.

[obiwanobiwan13]

@lonedove1981 Same here, I've been a Ducks fan since the first days of Selanne-Kariya, and that is an expansion franchise done RIGHT--didn't take a team from Canada or anywhere else, management contiinually works to win, 7 playoff apearances in 17 years so far, 2 Finals, 1 Cup, and iconic players such as Selanne, Kariya, and Giguere...FANS!

NO ONE goes to see or cares about the Pheonix Phoneies, even when they're good!

Hang in there, Winnipeggers--they'll be back soon...Phoenix's dead...