CFL Commissioner has ‘tin ear’ asking Calgary for a McMahon replacement: sports economist

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The Grey Cup is over, and it could be the last one Calgary hosts for some time as the CFL’s commissioner said McMahon Stadium would need to be replaced for the championship to return.

But with the city already looking at reducing spending, would dishing out millions of dollars on a new sports stadium be in the public interest? One sports economist says we might eventually see a McMahon replacement, but it probably won’t be all that soon.

“What a tin ear that commissioner has,” said Moshe Lander with Concordia University.

“Calgary is under immense pressure with budgetary issues that have been going on for the last year and a provincial government that’s putting even more pressure on them and then the commissioner comes swinging in saying, ‘You know what would be really great? If you spend a bunch of money creating a new stadium.'”

While Lander agrees McMahon could use with a few updates, right now was not the time or place to be pressuring the city to be adding a new sports stadium. He also says that when it comes time to seriously look at replacing McMahon there’s already a road map to follow.

“When the Flames deal was done last summer… the one thing that I had said is that is the blueprint to replace McMahon Stadium,” said Lander.

“The fact that [the city was] able to produce $275 million for a new hockey arena and all the benefits that went with it and all the commercial and residential development that’s going to go on around the Saddledome and around the Stampede grounds–that’s music to Calgary Sports and Entertainment’s ears. When it does come time to negotiate a replacement for McMahon Stadium everybody knows the playbook. And everybody knows that if you make them bluster for two-and-a-half years that the city is going to blink at some point and then put the money up.”

Lander expects that’s what will likely play out over the next few years despite Calgary’s economic outlook. The difference between the deal with the Flames and a potential future deal with the Stamps is that the team doesn’t wield the same strength when throwing its weight around.

If the Stamps were to make a threat to leave as the Flames did–credible or not, says Lander–they wouldn’t get very far in getting what they want.

“There is no city that’s going to take the Stamps. There is no city that wants the Stamps,” said Lander. He says if anything, the Stamps would simply fold.

But, when threats like that are made, Lander says it’s usually the politicians that cave to the sports groups’ demands.

“The city should not put up the money for that. If Calgary Sports and Entertainment wants a new deal then they can put up the money themselves. And if they can’t put up the money themselves, there’s nothing wrong with continuing to operate in McMahon Stadium for the next five, 10 years until the financial situation improves.”

In the meantime, Lander says projects like the new arena and the Green Line LRT will be taking priority in Calgary.

CTF, Nenshi respond to commissioner’s comments

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says the Stamps are free to replace McMahon–on their own.

“I think it’s great if the Stampeders can build themselves a new stadium, but they shouldn’t be coming to taxpayers for that money,” said Franco Tarrazzano with the CTF.

“We love our professional sports team and we want to continue to support our professional sports teams, But with tickets, not taxes.”

“No!” Nenshi told reporters Monday curious as to if McMahon will be replaced. “We don’t have any money.”

Nenshi points to Sunday Grey Cup in the existing stadium and called the event “successful” and stands by his experience as a spectator at McMahon.

-with files from Cindy White and Tom Ross

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today