The big boss of Quebecor, Pierre Karl Péladeau, is still interested in participating in the return of NHL hockey to Quebec.
The businessman reiterated his interest at TVA Sports on Saturday during a short interview on the sidelines of the All-Star Game in Toronto.
According to him, the winning conditions for a return of the Nordiques to Quebec are still in place.
“We have a world-class amphitheater, (a real passionate audience) to follow the Nordics, the economic community with Minister (Éric) Girard who went to New York (…) an economy in full swing, the rate of unemployment is low,” he listed.
“And I cannot help but mention Quebecor, which has significant financial resources, but which also has the capacity to promote this event,” he also recalled.
A consortium?
Mr. Péladeau also does not rule out the idea of seeing Quebecor ally with other companies or businessmen to bring back the Nordiques.
“It’s a good idea, and it’s not an original formula: we’re seeing this more and more given the value of franchises in all professional sports,” he stressed.
However, he was cautious about his potential partners.
“It is certain that it is premature to say who could be part of a consortium, we can have a small idea despite everything, but on this subject, I will still remain discreet,” he said. But there too, there are important companies whose head offices are in Quebec.”
He is not against the idea, either, of partnering with an owner who would like to move an existing NHL franchise to Quebec.
“Of course and we want to participate in its success,” he said. Being a major broadcaster: TVA and its entire organization is the leading broadcaster in Quebec. There are some who try to come and get us, but as someone else would say, they better get up early!”
Watch the full interview in the main video.