Gary Bettman's push for CalgaryNext has locals hot under the collar

It didn't take long for the tweets to start flying afterGaryBettmanwas interviewed about the CalgaryNext arena projectTuesday morning on CBC Radio.

• NHL commissioner GaryBettmanurges city to get moving onCalgaryNextarena project
• CalgaryNext arena and stadium plan remains 'just an idea' in Nenshi's mind

CalgaryEyeopenerhostDavid Grayasked the NHL commissionerwhy Calgary taxpayers should help foot the bill for a private, for-profit hockeyteam.

"The Flames ownership includes Alvin Libin, Allan Markin, Jeff McCaig, Clay Riddell, Murray Edwards many of the richest individuals in our community," said Gray. "Why should they get taxpayers subsidies?"

Bettman skirted around the question and started to list off the charitable donations made by the Flames Foundation.

Gray jumped in.

"We're not talking about the charity side of the Flames, we're talking about the profitable side of the Flames."

"Hello? Are you interrupting me?" saidBettman. "It would really be easier for me to explain it if you weren't interrupting me."

Gray went on to ask him if the Calgary Flames were currently a profitable business.

"I don't comment on clubs' economics and frankly the question is irrelevant to the discussion we're having," Bettman said.

"Why is it irrelevant?" asked Gray.

"Because we're talking about an arena and stadium and infrastructure project," said Bettman.

"We're not talking about the Flames. I will tell you though, their long-term stability will be threatened if in fact they continue to play in the oldest arena in the league," saidBettman.

Calgary Eyeopener3:29David Gray interrupts NHL commissioner Gary Bettman

During an interview about the CalgaryNext arena project, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman asked Calgary Eyeopener host David Gray to not interrupt him when he's talking.

Gray kept the interview on track and Calgary Eyeopener listeners noticed.

"Thank you for not letting Bettman run the show. He made my blood boil during/after that interview," Alisha Coombes wrote in an email.

"I am so appreciative of you holding him to your questions when he blatantly avoids them. He is a bully and very condescending. Keep him honest with our community and push for the truth."

When asked about Bettman's visit to Calgary on Monday, Mayor Nenshisaid he was busy with council and had advised the NHL commissioner that a meeting was probably not worth thetimeunless Bettmanhad new information.

"Perhaps in other citiesthat he has come to the city councils have just written cheques based on back of the napkin proposals without any consultation to the public or without any analysis. That's not how we operate here," said Nenshi.

"I know thatCalgariansrequire very wealthy people from New York to come and tell us what we need to do in ourcommunity because they understand vibrancy better than we do."

Nenshi talks CalgaryNext as Gary Bettman visits city

9 years ago

Duration 1:07

Calgary's mayor wasn't pulling any punches today in reaction to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman's comments about a new arena.