Edmonton Oilers on NHL.com: Statement from Bob Black, who is the Executive VP, Edmonton Arena Corporation, Katz group:
“I can confirm that Daryl Katz, Patrick LaForge, Kevin Lowe and others from the Oilers leadership group are in Seattle for meetings and to attend the Seahawks game.
We remain committed to working with City Administration to achieve a deal commensurate with what Winnipeg and Pittsburgh have done to sustain the NHL in those small markets. If we can achieve such a deal, the Oilers will remain in Edmonton and we can get on with the important work of developing the new arena and investing in the continued revitalization of Edmonton’s downtown core.
Nonetheless, and as the City of Edmonton is aware, the Katz Group has been listening to proposals from a number of potential NHL markets for some time. After more than four years of trying to secure an arena deal and with less than 24 months remaining on the Oilers’ lease at Rexall Place, this is only prudent and should come as no surprise.
We are extremely grateful to Oilers’ fans for their patience and loyalty as we work through this process towards what we sincerely hope will be a long and successful future for the Oilers in Edmonton. We have no further comment on the status of our discussions with other markets at this time.”
Darren Dreger via twitter: “Oilers lease at Rexall expires in 2 yrs. City council doesn’t think team would leave. By visiting Seattle, Katz is saying never say never. Source says Katz would pay half of new building, expenses and wouldn’t own it. “Bad deal”. “Desperate” is how situation is described.”
Gordon Kent and John Mackinnon of the Edmonton Journal: Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel set an October 17th “drop-dead date” for the Katz Group to lay out what it is looking for in an agreement deal.
“Timing is vitally important. We need to move ahead. I think everybody in the City of Edmonton, including the Katz Group as well as all councillors, is frustrated,” Mandel said.
“What is it? What do you want? We have been dealing with this for four years. You should know by now … It’s not a complicated issue of what you want. We just don’t know what it is.”
“Nonetheless, and as the City of Edmonton is aware, the Katz Group has been listening to proposals from a number of potential NHL markets for some time,” Black said in his statement. “After more than four years of trying to secure an arena deal and with less than 24 months remaining on the Oilers’ lease at Rexall Place, this is only prudent and should come as no surprise.”
Last October they had the framework on an agreement on how to build, finance and operate a $450 million arena. The cost has now risen to $475 million.
