NHL | The Kings in Salt Lake City, without state aid

The American city was also able to conclude an agreement for several years

Seven months before the arrival of the Los Angeles Kings in the Old Capital, Quebec has already paid 2.5 million to finance the event. In Salt Lake City, which also dreams of the NHL, we have just reached an agreement with the Californian team so that it will play a preparatory match ten days before its visit to the Videotron Center, without help from the State or from the city.

The Utah capital will continue to be the scene of a visit by the Kings before the start of the regular season, since the “Frozen Fury” – the name given to the clash – has just been the subject of a several-year agreement aimed at extending the holding of the event.

“Neither Salt Lake City nor the State of Utah were involved in the organization of the Frozen Fury or in the capacity of the Delta Center to host the event,” emphasizes the director of communications of the Utah Jazz , Caroline Klein, in an email sent to The Press.

This NBA franchise as well as the amphitheater belong to the Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), at the origin of a public outing last January, asking the Bettman circuit to grant it an expansion team. The partnership between SEG and the Kings, which led to the presentation of a first game in 2018, emanates from a cold call.

“Our vice-president responsible for events [Mark Powell] simply called Luc Robitaille [le président des Kings] and presented him with the idea of ​​organizing a Kings event at our home, writes M^me Klein. They formed a bond of friendship, then Luc eventually expressed interest and they made a deal. »

The talks did not go that far in the case of Quebec. The Legault government has confirmed that the scenario of a multi-year agreement had not been studied, Claudia Loupret, press secretary to Finance Minister Eric Girard – at the origin of the announcement of the controversial subsidy, said by email. . Due to renovations to their amphitheater in the heart of Los Angeles, the Kings cannot play preseason games at home until the start of the next regular season.

Supporters, without subsidy

Contacted by The Press, the various levels of government in Utah have expressed support for expanding the horizons of professional sports in Salt Lake City. However, the discourse was different regarding public financial support.

This contrasts with the strategy of the Legault government, which agreed to put between 5 and 7 million on the table in the form of a subsidy in order to absorb excess expenses from the Kings’ stay in Quebec next October – a decision which sparked an outcry in public opinion as well as unease among the deputies of the Coalition Avenir Québec.

NHL hockey could also have been presented at no cost to Quebec taxpayers, since the Montreal Canadiens had offered to play in Quebec without requesting public financial support. The Press also reported, last November, that places like Halifax, Wichita (Kansas) and Independence (Missouri) had hosted the Bettman circuit before the start of the season without paying a penny.

The Kings’ visit to Quebec territory scheduled for next fall will be longer than the stop in Salt Lake City, where only one game will be played on September 23. In Quebec, the Californian team will take place at the Videotron Center from October 2 to 6, for two clashes – against the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers – in five days.

In Salt Lake City, tickets have been on sale since February 16. So far, the fans’ enthusiasm for the preparatory match compares to that of Quebec, according to observations from The Press.

Even though it is organized by private promoters, the Frozen Fury nevertheless benefits from a form of public support coming from the Utah Sports Commission. Each year, this non-profit organization – partly funded by the state – sponsors several dozen events, such as freestyle skiing or speed skating competitions and professional golf tournaments.

According to tax reports from recent years consulted by The Pressthe sponsorship expenses of this commission for all events generally range between 2 and 5.5 million US per year.

“We maintain the confidentiality of the amounts invested in event sponsorship,” said Utah Sports Commission vice president of communications Bridget Farfel in response to a question seeking to get an idea of ​​the scope of the sponsorship. help offered by the organization.

Two approaches

Quebec and Salt Lake City therefore go about it in different ways to convey their message to the Bettman circuit. Managing director of the valuation practice at IJC & Co, Drew Dorweiler leans towards the American approach.

“This demonstrates the commitment of developers to Salt Lake City,” said this Montreal financier. Even if there is a deficit, they will pay out of pocket. It won’t be the taxpayers. They walk the talk. I don’t believe we need taxpayers’ money in Quebec to organize preparatory meetings. »

During his career, Mr. Dorweiler acted as a consultant for a Houston group, which ultimately failed to submit a bid during the 2015-2016 expansion process.

Furthermore, according to the contract concluded between Minister Eric Girard and the sports and entertainment division of Quebecor, two payments totaling 2.5 million have already been made to the operator of the Videotron Center. Even before the arrival of the Kings in the Old Capital, 5 million will have already been disbursed, according to the document obtained under the Act respecting access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information. This third payment must be made “no later than 35 business days preceding the first day of training camp” of the Kings, we can read.

The final payment of 2 million will be made once a “preliminary report accounting for the expenses of the event” has been given to Mr. Girard. In exchange, if the losses are less than the maximum amount of the subsidy, the difference must be reimbursed by Quebecor.

With the collaboration of William Leclerc, The Press