Without the major financial investment from the Government of Quebec in the early 2010s, the Videotron Center would not have been built. That this same government – regardless of whether another party is in the driver’s seat today – assesses the possibility that this amphitheater will one day host an NHL team is entirely appropriate.
François Legault’s decision to entrust this case to Eric Girard has given rise to many mockeries in recent days. The most funny – and it is indeed very funny! – described the Minister of Finance as the “Minister responsible for the return of the Nordics”.
Beyond the joke, the Prime Minister’s decision is not an aberration. In several sports-entertainment issues, the state has played a crucial role over the years. And important ministers have been “delegated” to unblock things.
In addition to the construction of the Videotron Center, let us remember the transformation of the Jarry Park tennis complex so that Montreal can keep its tournaments; the modernization of the McGill University football stadium in favor of the Alouettes; the loan of 75 million from Investissement Québec, now repaid, as a contribution to the redemption of the Canadian by the group of Molson brothers; the expansion of the Saputo stadium upon the Impact’s accession to Major League Soccer; and maintaining the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit.
Mr. Legault’s foray into professional sport is therefore not a precedent. I nevertheless recognize this: in the Nordiques case, the government of Quebec is acting as an initiator, while responding to requests in other cases.
The Prime Minister’s initiative is intriguing, but not surprising. There is a top quality amphitheater in Quebec which remains underused. Noticing this does not call into question the relevance of building it. The national capital needed modern equipment to replace the old Colosseum, then in disrepair.
Nothing is moving in the plan for the return of the Nordics. So much so that no one really believes it anymore, especially after the two hard knocks received since the opening of the new amphitheater.
First, Quebec did not get an expansion team in 2016, when Las Vegas was chosen. Then, two years later, influential Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs decreed that the Quebec market was not big enough to accommodate a circuit club. Since then, it has been radio silence.
Quebecor, which holds the management contract for the Videotron Center, occasionally reiterates its desire to revive the team. Last Friday, Mr. Legault nevertheless raised an interesting issue about Quebecor and its president, Pierre Karl Péladeau.
“There is an amphitheater,” said the Prime Minister. Currently, [pour] In this amphitheater, there is a sort of right of first refusal for Quebecor and Mr. Péladeau. We have to see if Mr. Péladeau is still interested in spending 700 million or more for a hockey team. Otherwise, we have to see how we manage it with the City of Quebec to have the amphitheater. “
HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT PHOTO, PRESS ARCHIVES
Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor
In June 2016, when Quebec’s candidacy was rejected, the value of the Canadian dollar against the US dollar was one of the main obstacles to the return of the Nordics. The exchange rate is slightly more favorable today, but not in a decisive way.
What has changed, however, is the cost of admission to the NHL. The Vegas Golden Knights paid out $ 500 million; two years later, the Seattle Kraken donated US $ 650 million. Let’s not think that obtaining a team following the relocation of an existing dealership would be much less expensive. If the base price were more economical, the NHL would readjust the shot by imposing expensive transfer fees.
How did Mr. Péladeau receive these remarks from Mr. Legault? After all, anyone who questions Quebecor’s desire to acquire a team is not a mere observer. This is the premier of Quebec, who, according to current polls, is heading towards the re-election of his government next October.
Mr. Legault goes even further by saying that he is ready to discuss with the City of Quebec “to have the amphitheater”, which is a direct reference to the contract for the management of the Videotron Center held by Quebecor. In short, the Prime Minister’s approach is not in the lace.
What are the links between the two men today? Hard to say. But we know that they were deeply damaged in the issue of the sale of Groupe Capitales Médias newspapers in 2019 and that they were political opponents when Mr. Péladeau was leader of the Parti Québécois.
In an ideal world, MM. Legault and Péladeau would work together on the return of the Nordiques. It does not appear to be the case. In fact, Mr. Legault himself has initiated contact with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
That’s not all: he announced that his Minister of Finance had “discussions with the various potential investors of the club”. Who are these people ? Is Mr. Péladeau part of it or is a parallel project taking shape without his participation? Does the Prime Minister rather want to help find partners to allow Quebecor to spread the financial risk? At the cost of a concession today, that would make sense.
No matter what happens next, it is healthy for this issue to be dusted off. The Prime Minister’s initiative could also provide an answer to this fundamental question: does the NHL find the Quebec market too small to accommodate a team?
If so, let’s hope Gary Bettman would have the courage to tell the Prime Minister. This would have the merit of clarifying things for good.