Jim Goldsmith caused a bit of a stir yesterday with his second blog entry on www.winterhawks.com about the current status of the replay screens that it seems everyone wants to have installed, but no one is actually doing it.
I was asked by reader Dan (aka Knightblade), "how do you feel about the second 'blog with the boss' entry today?" He also stated that he doesn't blame me if I choose not to dive into the battle.
I have no problems diving into the battle as it is definitely a hot button issue with the team.
When reading the statement it is easy to see the frustration that is boiling over with the Hawks owner. Is it self-inflicted frustration? Possibly, but I also feel that with all the changes over the past 12-18 months with the arena management teams has also led to the frustration. When you start off dealing with one management group and then have it change, not once but twice, it just adds so much more to the negotiation.
The City of Portland is the interesting equation. They have created and funded the mysterious "Spectator Facilities Fund" that is supposed to support all of the spectator facilities in the city. Just about all of the upgrades made to the Rose Garden last year were paid for by this fund, as were the scoreboard improvements for PGE Park. It would seem that the ole MC is being ignored for the most part by this fund. Why is that? That is the question that I think that Jim and crew want to have answered.
There have been improvements made in the MC, mostly cosmetic - new carpet in banquet rooms, the pictures on the concourse, paint and lighting in the bathrooms - but why are they ignoring what they said was the number one priority for the building, the scoreboard?
I don't know what moral compass that Randy Leonard and Erik Sten steer themselves by when they make the statements that they did on our broadcast last year and then do nothing to follow it up, but I guess that is what makes them politicians.
After reading the post yesterday, I sent an e-mail to Jim stating that I wasn't sure if storming city hall with e-mails and phone calls would change anything. It might make a difference, it might not, but at this point, any action is better than no action.
In the end, my bigger concern on September 21st will be the results and action on the ice, not what is hanging over it.
In my opinion, that should be the biggest concern for everyone - the fans, the team and the ownership group.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Pause, Rewind, Replay...
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8 comments:
I EMAILED EVERYONE ON THAT LIST FROM HIS BLOG YESTERDAY, I HAVE GOTTEN 1 RESPONSE, FROM RANDY LEONARD, SO FAR =
I don't know...I will look into it.
-----Original Message-----
From: KEVIN
To: randy@ci.portland.or.us
Sent: 8/14/2007 1:24 PM
Subject: WHATS HAPPENING
WITH THE MEMORIAL COLISEUM, WHY HAVENT THE NEW REPLAY SCREENS BEEN
INSTALLED YET???
Count me among those glad to see Jim call out the city. This has gone on long enough. I'm still of the opinion the city is waiting for some developer to come along and "repurpose" the site. Convention Center hotel/casino? I don't see the Coliseum hanging around too much longer. The real estate "correction" may give it an extra few years of life, but past 2012 or so? Gone. The location is just too valuable. In the meantime, however, it's time for the city and other "stakeholders" to quit yanking the big guy's chain.
I'm with you though, Andy. I can't wait to see what happens on September 21.
Excellent write-up. I'm afraid I got to be a little too frustrated initially when I read Jim's blog, but I think I took issue more with his tone rather than his message. He's one of those people I could equally see myself having a blast over some beers with... or dragging him outside by his ears to drop the gloves.
That being said, I absolutely agree... what happens on the ice is much more important than what happens over the ice. I just wish that we could have a few more positives strides made going into this season, after last year was filled with so much on and off-ice dissapointment.
Also, props for you for giving your opinion; not that I ever doubted it, but its good to know that you still think with your own head. See you when the pucks drop!
-Dan
"knightblade"
Is it self-inflicted frustration? Possibly, but I also feel that with all the changes over the past 12-18 months with the arena management teams has also led to the frustration.
Come on. Did he have a deal with the previous management to install the screens? (Do the screens even exist?)
If he did buy the screens without first working a deal with whatever management company was in place at the time, he's not a very savvy business man. If he did have a deal in place, it should still stand with the current management company. (Evidently he didn't have a deal, eh?)
Now he's blowing so much tough talk and smoke, I don't blame the city for laughing at him and not playing along.
The city holds the cards here, and Little Jimmy better eat some humble pie quick if he wants the city to play his game.
Andy,
Maybe you just do not know the facts but to post the RG improvements came from the City spectator funds is 110% wrong. It is public record that over $15 million in RG improvments were funded by PAM the buildings owners and not one-cent from the City. To state otherwise is totally wrong and bad journalism.
I heard the owners agreed in writing over a year ago that the Hawks would pay for the screens and then after the City agreed on the install the Hawks changed their mind.
Ask owners why the screens they bought on their own, without consulting with the owners of the building they want to install them in are 1) actually used, not new 2) are outdoor signs not indoor. The quality you would see on a roadside 3) they are trying charge the City $200K more than the signs are worth.
One question ... did the Commissioners actually PAY for their tickets to the game that night, or were they guests of the Hawks? Just curious ....
I first learned of this issue last week. As soon as it was brought to my attention, I phoned the Winterhawks owner and learned what the issues were.
I then called the Trailblazers management (they managae the Coliseum) to hear their version of what the issues were preventing the screens from being installed.
Last Thursday, I met with the city staff and told them to figure out how to get the screens up or I would have no choice but to introduce a resolution at the city council requiring that the screens be installed.
I wished someone would have called me before writing what has been said here. Questioning my commitment before even giving me a heads up that there was a problem does not sit well with me.
And I bought my own tickets for the game I was at.
I'm with you though, Andy. I can't wait to see what happens on September 21.
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