FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Give Balsille a call, you d*pe! And then tie Bettman to a seat in the front row of the Grand Ole Opry House and make him listen to C&W music till his ear drums pop!

Just pack this team to Balsillie and Hamilton.....He pays more cash and everything else including a new arena. They gotta raise the tax just to pay for the maintenance on the parking lot in Nashville. I just don't see Bettman's problem with relocating this team. Hamilton is in Canada. Canadian people consider hockey as a religion. SO MUCH THE BETTER (Oh and yes... I'm canadian). In the long run, financial issues wouldn't even be an issue if balsille owned the team. My point: Balsille can buy this team three times over... with HIS VENDING MACHINE MONEY. Craig Leopold, give the man a call so you can get filthy rich already!

Kansas City baby!

Its obvious that this team should be moved to Hamilton over KC. A team in Hamilton would have the financial support and fan support to succeed

It has been reported that the Predators players have no desire to be relocated to Canada. They are extremely concerned if they are injured they would have to wait 6 months to see a doctor. Plus, there worried about 70% of their salaries going away with those god awful taxes up there.

Am I hearing a bit of canadian stereotyping? 6 months to see a doctor? Bud... FREE *beep* -ing healthcare. People travel up to canada just to get a flu shot cause they got Sh!+ all compared to american healthcare. As for the taxes, put it this way: with the money balsillie's going to be shelling, every player's house will be paid for, spared no expenses. Believe me, unless Bill gates wants to buy a team himself, money is NOT an issue if they do relocate. Hell... every player might even recieve a blackeberry if don't already have one just for considering to play for hamilton.

Just to add to the "god awful" taxes we have up here... I don't seem to hear any complaints from the players based in nhl teams in canada when it comes to taxes. I will however acknowledge complaints about our wolf-pack like media scrutinies and somewhat harsh winters. However, hamilton is not edmonton or siberia.

Predators aren't going anywhere. But I heard that the Russians were moving their submarines and the flag from the north pole and heading closer to Jordin Tootoo's hometown. You better get your priorities straight up there, or you'll be having borcht with maple syrup. I wonder what borscht and poutine would, oh, never mind.

ok, denverspurs, take it easy. The Ruskies can't even keep control of their OWN land, let alone think they are moving into Moosonee/Moose Jaw. You Americans with your lack of any knowledge of our great country. Taxes? Yeah, they are high, but its really more like 50%, not 70%. But we get free health care - and we don't have famous documentary makers showing what a sham OUR health care system is...unlike you. And the Predators aren't going anywhere? What makes you think that? How long do you think the new owner(s), whomever they might be, will be willing to watch all of their money go down the drain before realizing that Nashville is NOT the place for a hockey team, and that they need to get out of town if they want to be solvent?

I guess with all that "free" health care and that bastion of socialism up there, the schools might want to teach come basic civics and basic law classes. They have business contracts in the USA in which parties are bound to. Example, the fans reach 14K average attendence, then the contract stays in place and the team cannot move. If a rogue owner tried to move the team, then multiple, lengthy and costly lawsuits would ensue. The NHL would have bad press and other cities would be reluctant to deal with a league or team owners that do not keep their word.

Anyway, maybe that is why Ballsy didn't put his money where his mouth is. Plus, I really don't think the players like playing up in the great white north. Let's see what a player probably thinks," I can drive my convertible nearly year round, I get to keep most of my salary, have the best dotors in the world, and have a rabid fan base. Nashville (or other southern city) is a great place to be!"

You all can have Michael Moore. I think he fits in your system better. In addition, 50% in taxes!!!! My God! I think the Canadians have a different meaning of "free"!!!

You think 14k attendance on average is good? Rabid fan base? Ok...I can believe the rabid part but my imagination is still straining for the fan base part. And as for 14k people attendance average. Wow!! They really know how to aim low down there in America

Nashville is a money drain, that's it! In the long run the upkeep cost is greater than what the revenue would be. You don't need a buisness degree to figure out that is ALL BAD.

Again, no numbers, just socialist rantings from the great white north. I find it amusing that Canadians know so much about economics in the US, yet are willing to blindly pay their government the majority of their salary. Smart country, eh?

Please reference the following article for accurate numbers:
Saturday, 08/25/07- The Tennessean- online
Numbers show fans back Preds
Commentary by JOHN GLENNON
Staff Writer

The most common situation the Predators situation is the one the Edmonton Oilers faced. Even after all their historic teams, that team suffered years later and local owners came to the rescue. I am glad that Edmonton saved its team. I just don't get why you Canadians don't want to grow hockey and want it to take roots in non-traditional markets. In the long run, that is the only way to make the NHL more powerful and grow its fan base.

I guess that would be 12 more than those who be attending a Boston Bruins game.