The Unknown Poster

My understanding is the Pan-Am Games in TO is not popular and not a lot of tickets have been sold.

Players have a right to sue. They see the payday the NFL players got. For me, players cant sue for information no one knew about years ago. They cant sue and say the league should have known when no one knew. The issue in the NFL is that the league did know and kept the information quiet. For that, they deserve to pay the price. If the CFL hid information or otherwise ignored information, then they will have to pay. I think any player entering the league now has a reasonable expectation of understanding the issues and the teams and league should be hyper-sensitive to it so you shouldnt see players in 20 years suing the league because they "didnt know" in 2015. The NHL is dealing with it too and Bettman gave some lawyer responses (when he should have said no comment) calling into question the link between concussions and CTE. Thats a battle he wont win. As an aside, the famed Sports Legacy Institute that has really been on the forefront of investigating this and bringing it to the public's attention is headed by Chris Nowinski, former WWE wrestler. And as an additional aside, Nowinski was persona non grata for quite some time as WWE wanted nothing to do with concussion education. Hunter now sits on the board of Sports Legacy Institute. Major turn around.

ROH has seen their penetration increase quite a bit lately with the Destination America deal and a deal in Mass. I think DA is in 56% of homes or something like that, not nearly as good as say, Spike, but TNA blew that deal for everyone. The difference between TNA and ROH is their business model. Rob Feinstein used to tape ECW shows and sell the VHS. Long story short, tape trading was a big deal then and he founded ROH more or less to have his own footage to sell. Ofcourse RF got caught up in one of those internet predator stings and left the company. But as DVD sales dropped, ROH was sort of the anti-TNA. Whereas TNA thought they could replace WCW and compete with WWE, ROH wanted long term success and steady growth. ROH isnt dependent on a TV deal to make ends meet. In fact, they probably are the worst TV property because they are owned by Sinclair Broadcasting so they dont get rights fees there and their deal with DA seems to be a barter deal (tape is provided for free) so ROH gets "growth" in expanding their TV presence. ROH makes money from IPPV and live events. TNA dropped PPV because it was a money loser. They stopped running house shows because they couldnt draw and their TV tapings are free. TNA is 100% about TV rights fees. The fact they are cancelled, if they cant change DA's mind between now and September, they are pretty much dead in the water. The one thing TNA did right was using Hulk Hogan to get several overseas TV deals which are pretty good. They also used Eric Bischoffs expertise in television production. But that's another story because Bisch and his partner Jason Hervey were hired to produce TNA's Impact show and TNA stopped paying them. BHEntertainment is now suing TNA for over $100,000. The big blow up recently was ROH announcing their DA deal. TNA had no idea and went into panic mode. This was one week after Dave Meltzer broke the story that DA was cancelling TNA. TNA went on the offensive, attacking Meltzer to the point he got death threats...and the story was actually true. ROH releases a graphic advertising their debut on DA and it contains their logo, brand name, the word "wrestling", the usual where and when and slick pics of the athletes. TNA copies their graphic but nowhere does it say "TNA", use the logo or the word wrestling. And instead of a wrestler, it has a bad picture of Dixie Carter. Shows the difference between the two. And ofcourse, WWE has several former ROH guys (and was letting Samoa Joe continue to work for ROH) but anyone going to TNA actually reduces their chances of going to WWE because WWE hates TNA.

Do you mean the Loge seating?

Thats very interesting. They see, to want to get this one right after the lousy offerings last year. I generally dont play all the various options but I do like having the fully updated game every year and rattle off a few seasons with the Jets

If I recall, Mario didnt put any "cash" in the team. The Pens owed him money and asked to defer it. He agreed and then the Pens went bankrupt. As a large creditor, Mario was able to get stock instead of cash or he'd likely never get his money. According to the article, there have been restructurings that have allowed both owners to get their investments out several times while the value of the team continues to grow (over $500 million). It might just be they are selling high. Mario just built a palace in Montreal also. Maybe he wants to get out of the grind. That's generational money and will ensure his kid, grandkids, great grandkids and so on down the line are rich.

Ryback isnt bad, I find myself liking him. The thing is, you dont want 20 guys that are all the same. So you can have the muscleheads, just not 20 of them. Titus is actually pretty good, tons of charisma and a good guy by all accounts (won a father of the year award). Prime Time Players are good and deserve to be pushed. As a corporation, WWE would be wise to push them for obvious reasons. Vince's muscle fetish was sort of blown apart in the late 90's when he went with Bret and Michaels. There is a lot of stupid stuff backstage that will get a guy de-pushed faster than being "small". For example, Dolph gave an interview where he said if he and Orton went into a dark alley to fight, he'd be the one coming out. Instant burial. On the other hand, Vince is also the guy that publically humiliated Randy for losing his size when he was injured. They are more sensitive to that now though. Punk was a Paul Heyman guy and Paul gave him his break when he booked Smackdown. There is a bigger issue between Punk and Hunter than Punk and Vince. Hunter is an interesting case study. He's the guy that has pushed for non-traditional signings like Rollins, Owens, Joe, guys that Hunter would never have worked with when he was working. He used to sit in on production meetings and bury guys. Even now, when he "performs" he has the habit of burying guys. But as an executive, he sees the writing on the wall. He also once said how can someone who never drew money teach guys to draw money (when he and Michaels got the OVW developmental deal pulled) and yet he hired Prince Albert and Sarah Del Rey to be the coaches in NXT. Go figure. Its a very unique time in wrestling right now, what with TNA being cancelled, ROH getting national TV, NXT being almost a bizarro-world WWE and Cena finally being phased down.

Great article sums it up http://thehockeywriters.com/lemieux-burkle-part-1-cost-of-loyalty/

There was talk of it going to the corral centre or a smaller town community arena. It's pretty big for a 2000 seater though. Iceplex?

I was wondering the same thing heart. Maybe he has another deal in the works where he needs cash. Maybe it's estate planning and he wants to cash out some equity. Maybe he thinks the value of the team has reached a pinnacle.

http://www.tsn.ca/lemieux-burkle-exploring-possible-sale-of-penguins-1.299085

I think the jets might take a step back this year as they transition to some of their youth.

I agree pretty much Brandon. I think he's good enough to be a key piece of the puzzle on a contending team but not really a superstar player on his own. I generally believe you dont retain UFA's, get something for them but this season I thought it was worth keeping Frolik and lose him for nothing with the idea being, in the Jets' position at the deadline, they could potentially have wanted to 'buy' someone of Frolik's level to help in the playoffs, so in reality they just got him for "free". Id prefer to keep him but at his asking price, if he leaves, so be it. Im more curious about Stafford. I wonder if there is an offer on the table but he wants to see whats out there before committing.

Interesting opinion piece by Peter Tessier: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Peter-Tessier/The-Frolik-Conundrum-What-Comes-Next/161/69044 A couple of snips for discussion: it is rumoured that the player wants 5 million for each of 5 years and if the market stays the same it’s likely that he will get it, if not more. . Even the national media pundits are seeing a Jets team with no Frolik next season. If this is the case who comes in? Starting with age similar or younger #1-The first option, at least by simple logic, is Alexander Burmistrov but he is not a right wing but he does possess a two way game and excels in some specialty roles. #2- Erik Condra- he is believed to be leaving Ottawa and while there might be suitors he may be a cheaper option and he is only a year older. Frolik is the more complete player of the two, by a significant margin, and brings far more offensive upside but if dollars are an issue Condra would not be the worst alternative. #3- Brad Richardson- he is useful but still a downgrade compared to Frolik. His underlying numbers peg him between a 3rd and 2nd line player and if that where the Jets feel they want to use Frolik why not pay a player the correct salary who fits that role- that would be Richardson. Above age #4- Joel Ward at age 34 is much like the Drew Stafford scenario, you like the guy but you’re not sure for how long. For two years at the right salary Ward could take his second line numbers and be a huge upgrade and mentor for the developing third line on the Jets. #5- Justin Williams- speaking of mentors is there any available player who can bring the playoff experience and ‘intangibles’ of Justin Williams? Intangibles? Remember all those things we can’t quantify that make players seem really great! Williams has them all by some accounts and at age 33 he too would fit the same role as Ward. #6- Mike Santorelli. While not a true RW he is a right shot and he’s younger than the above two players at 29. Santorelli was a Jet briefly in 2013 but either he had no interest in returning or the Jets had none in him but does that change now?

Absolutely. Watch the odds change drastically after the late production meeting on PPV Sunday's when the insiders all place their bets.

Vince is very very stubborn. That's the problem. If he decides you don't have it or one of the veterans decides you don't have it then you're screwed. Look at Ziggler. If you say the wrong thing or dare to eat chicken in the locker room or any variety of stupid reasons you will never get a shot. Kane and Big Show perfect example. Ambrose was way more over than Reigns but reigns was the chosen one so they were pushing him come hell or high water.

Anyone remember of it was said what the plan was for the old scoreboard ? If I recall they are going to have two ribbon boards like many arenas. Adding those loge seats above the suites too.

Winnipeg JetsVerified account ‏@NHLJets Also read online that the ribbon board was trashed. Anyone remember what the plan was for the scoreboard?

Not remotely. Unless you're speaking of the really good ECW, that brief time when they had Benoit, Eddie, Malenko etc. But even then NXT is primarily a development promotion so it doesnt have guys as polished. Although Kevin Owens (NXT Champion), Sammy Zayn (formerly El Generico), Fin Balor (formerly Prince Devitt), Hideo Itami (formerly Kenta) are all very very good. I also like Tyler Breeze, Enzo Amore (and his whole act) and the women are off the charts. Breeze does a male model gimmick. At the last Network special, the ramp lit up like a catwalk and he had several female models posing and he stopped by each one to take a selfie. One of the female models was wrestler Sarah Stock from Winnipeg. She's a veteran and works in Mexico as Dark Angel. She's a great talent and a sweet person and worked for us here many times. She guest coaches at NXT occasionally. NXT uses some veterans such as Rhino. And they are beginning to do more house shows. Hunter wants it to be a third touring brand where they'd have their A crew doing house shows and B crew doing smaller shows at their home base of Full Sail University. Thats why they are more open to guys they'd normally not be, such as Samoa Joe. Essentially, NXT is WWE's own cool, smarky indy promotion.

Is Thomson in on Longboat though or is it only Chipman family? I was thinking perhaps TNSquare is a True North initiative because Thomson wants (or needs) to be involved. Its a lofty project. I hope it fully succeeds as presented.

I was fortunate enough to book both Steen and Generico (twice) here. Generico is very close to Omega. I havent been a diehard NXT watcher but I got their most recent Network special and it is just so much better than RAW. It seems cool and hip. The production isnt RAW but it seems cooler and fresher. The announcers arent as polished but its better really. RAW announcers are among the worst with their fake-ness. The best thing about NXT is the women. World's ahead of the "Divas". Sasha Banks is money. Charlotte is an incredible athlete and could be a Brock Lesnar type in the women's division. They must stop calling them Divas though. I'd bring up the four best NXT women, call them the Four Horsewomen (which they are calling themselves) and have them destroy the Bellas. Maybe thats the plan with the Bellas seemingly turning heel again (though they switch back and forth without ever really turning). Kevin owens match with Cena this past weekend was very, very, very good. He's a keeper.

Samoa Joe signs a full time WWE contract. Apparently his try out deal was very brief as he impressed at the recent NXT tapings and perhaps more importantly, his shirt sold out in a matter of hours. It really is a new world in WWE right now. Im not really a big Joe fan (booked him here three times and had a serious falling out the last time that nearly came to blows) but he will likely do very well as he's good when motivated. He's probably the best example of the new era of WWE. He doesnt have the right look for WWE. He's too old. He came from TNA (WWE has a Do Not Call embargo on TNA guys). And yet, here he is. Good for him. Speaking of wrestling, any of you that might have ventured down to Doubles this past weekend (I know at least one of you did), thank you very much and I hope you enjoyed the show. It was our longest show in years (which isnt always a good thing lol),l lots of talent in town including a very talented female wrestler from Japan. Sort of historic in I believe she's the first Japanese national to appear on a local show since probably Ultimo Dragon in 2007 or 2008 and definitely the first woman. Our friendly Canada Custom's helpfully fined her upon entry (in Calgary) for something incredibly minor and then the airline lost her bag. Welcome to Canada. She had work in street clothes. Very talented and Kenny Omega has taken her under his wing to help train. Anyway, next show is July 11 for what we call Boiling Point. The 14th annual...first one was held at Canwest Global Park in July 2002 and that show had the Road Warriors and Buff Bagwell. The show was not that great (haha) and a financial nightmare that resulted in a face to face meeting with Sammy Katz where we threatened to sue each other. It also resulted in our financial backer walking away (running more like it). This year's will be better ;-) There's your wrestling update for today. :-)

It certainly adds another point against anyone who predicted the Jets would not work here. This sort of massive financial investment by True North would not only be indicative of their intention to have the Jets here forever but by virtue of the increasing value of their holdings, it makes any future "lean years" much less of an issue in the big picture. The Jets simply becoming one of the Chipman/Thomson holdings. Im somewhat confused though. Correct me if I have this wrong. True North is owned by Chipman and Thomson. I believe wholly owned, correct? I think they bought out minority partners before the Jets came here. The Glasshouse and Alt project is managed by Longboat which is referred to as the "real estate arm of the Chipman family" (I think I have that correct). So Mark Chipman has interest in that project through his interest in Longboat (I think his brother is President). But True North Square would be owned/developed by the Chipman/Thomson partnership....? Confusing me further, isnt the option on 225 Carlton held by Longboat and the 220 property now being optioned by True North? Is this all just semantics?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/true-north-confirms-it-will-buy-downtown-land-to-build-true-north-square-1.3095679 True North Sports and Entertainment has bought the property at 220 Carlton Street that was enmeshed in controversy over concerns about conflict of interest. The company hopes to develop the land into a $400-million hotel, office and residential complex called True North Square by 2017. True North released a statement Monday that says the company, which owns the Winnipeg Jets, has "exercised its option ... to acquire the property at 220 Carlton Street" from a company controlled by CentreVenture, the city's development arm. "The exercise of the option today is a significant advancement of our position regarding the development of True North Square," said Scott Brown, True North spokesman. "We remain excited about the opportunity that this mixed use development has for our community and our organization. We look forward to working with CentreVenture over the next few months as we finalize our design and development plans with CentreVenture, the City of Winnipeg, and our tenant partners." True North's move ends speculation the company may have walked away from the deal after executive chairman of the board Mark Chipman and Mayor Brian Bowman got into a public spat over the mayor's suggestions it was a back-room deal. "This is a great step forward for this exciting project," said CentreVenture's president, Angela Mathieson. "True North Square is a transformative development which sends a strong signal about the future and confidence in our downtown. At CentreVenture we are pleased to support True North in their continued commitment and investment in our community. We know this project will have far reaching impacts and benefits for our downtown." The site, formerly the Carlton Inn, is adjacent to the RBC Convention Centre, which is undergoing extensive renovations and construction. The city needs tax revenue from a new hotel on the land to pay for its share of the $180 million in upgrades to the convention centre. New hotel to go up on parking lot at 225 Carlton No price has been set for the land at 220 Carlton Street. Mathieson said CentreVenture and True North will both get independent appraisals and take the average of both figures to get a sale price for the site. But the deal isn't only about 220 Carlton. True North Square's hotel will actually be built on 225 Carlton, currently a parking lot that is owned by Manitoba Public Insurance. CentreVenture will pay the costs of buying out the Carlton Inn business and the demolition of the old hotel. The city is already losing money on the site after executive policy committee voted earlier this year to approve a lower penalty for construction company Stuart Olson after it failed to deliver on attracting a hotel to the convention centre True North Square's tower will go up on 220 Carlton, but another tower and the square itself will be built on 225 Carlton. Mathieson says there's no word on tenants for either of the office towers. She said she doesn't know anything about speculation earlier this year that Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries might locate its new headquarters in True North Square. Construction on True North Square is to begin in two years.

Its one of things you may never use but if you need it, you want it. My parents made one claim in probably 30 years. Back in 94-ish when we had that crazy hail storm tear through south Winnipeg. Their 20 year old roof got replaced. So it was worth it. I had a car wheel smash through my basement window (it came off a car driving down the street and rolled down the street, up my lawn and through my window). The driver reported it to MPIC who said it was not their problem. i called MPIC and they told me the same, go through your house insurance. Crock. I called my buddy Marty who as coincidence would have it, was about to sit down for lunch with Brian Smiley. Had a call back within the hour and MPIC covered my window. Friggen insurance companies.