Alberta to tax visiting NHL players?

[P.J Stock]

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The province of Alberta plans to tax visiting NHL players to help the financially struggling Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames.

Premier Ralph Klein said Tuesday that the tax will be included in his government's budget March 19.

Up to 14 U.S. jurisdictions levy a similar tax on visiting NHL players to help fund their operations, he said. They include California, Colorado and the city of Pittsburgh.

Klein said the tax would be a great way to financially bolster the two teams without using taxpayer money.

``The sense I get is that everyone wants to keep the teams in Alberta, but no one wants to see taxpayers' dollars go to support the teams,'' he said. ``So we are trying to devise ways of generating revenue that would be neutral to the province and the Alberta taxpayer but still enable the teams to survive.''

Under a similar system in the United States, state or municipal governments charge visiting Canadian team professionals a percentage of their salaries based on the number of games or number of days the players spend in that jurisdiction.

The NHL was surprised by Klein's announcement.

Spokeswoman Bernadette Mansur said league officials want more information before commenting on Alberta's plan.


Doesnt this seem kinda odd?

[FLII ME]

Buttman is now going to get rid of Calgary and Edmonton, he will be pissed unless he gets a %

[5 and a game]

Originally posted by FLII ME
Buttman is now going to get rid of Calgary and Edmonton, he will be pissed unless he gets a %

I don't think the Canadian government would allow Buttman to do that.

[cASe SenSiTive]

Originally posted by 5 and a game


I don't think the Canadian government would allow Buttman to do that.

<cough>Winnipeg Jets<cough>Quebec Nordiques<cough>


If somebody waves enough cash in his face, Buttman won't care what the Canadian government says.:mad:

[5 and a game]

Originally posted by cASe SenSiTive


<cough>Winnipeg Jets<cough>Quebec Nordiques<cough>


If somebody waves enough cash in his face, Buttman won't care what the Canadian government says.:mad:

This is acctually a more recent thing. The Canadian government is stepping in now to make sure all 6 remaining teams stay put. Because taking hockey out of Canada is like taking the chocolate yum yum bars out of Rosie O'donnel. :D

[ken_valyi]

I'd have more sympathy if these teams sold out their seasons tickets. I'd love to live in a town were I could buy NHL seasons tickets, and these supposed fans aren't supporting there team... idiots, IMHO.


Don't get me wrong I'd rather these teams stay in Alberta rather go to Seattle or Houston were they'd be completely ignored.

[cASe SenSiTive]

season ticket sales don't mean sh*t. The Whalers consistantly sold all of their season tickets, and they still moved to Carolina.
The Jets had a very good ticket-base as well.

It all comes down to the almighty dollar. If the owners want to move their team, then the government really can't do much about it.

[wingwop]

Exactly, don't get me wrong, the fans in these provinces could do better supporting their teams but, even when ticket sales are good, Buttman thinks about how much more they could make in a big hockey market town like, I don't know, Mexico City??? It wouldn't suprise me anyway. I'm actually suprised to see that other areas are already taxing players. Especially Colorado, is this really neccessary there? They sell out, make tons of playoff cash and are apparently just greedy. Anyway, the league should stand next to Canada in not wanting these teams to leave and help out financially. Or lower their dues.........HAHA that'll happen!!

[cASe SenSiTive]

The problem is, the league doesn't care. They want the teams with the best TV ratings to do well, and unfortunately, those aren't the Canadian franchises.

[ken_valyi]

Originally posted by cASe SenSiTive
season ticket sales don't mean sh*t. The Whalers consistantly sold all of their season tickets, and they still moved to Carolina.
The Jets had a very good ticket-base as well.

It all comes down to the almighty dollar. If the owners want to move their team, then the government really can't do much about it.

Maybe against the Canadiens and a few other teams the Whale sold out, but I remember their attendance to be the worst in the league, comparable to what was going on at Nassau Colosseum a few short years ago.

Your spot on about Winnipeg, I truly felt for those fans. Of course, the day after the Nor****s left no one in Quecbec City bothered to take notice.

I agree that it's the bucks that matter and that will decide this, but personally, a true fan of any sport attends the games regardless of how bad the home team is... Detroit and Toronto both supported their teams through the rough and tumble years. And that more than anything, IMHO, is the reason those franchises will always exist.

[wingwop]

Amen to that!! Let's face it, the eightees were long decades in both cities!! Anyway, it's too bad that happened. Sometimes people don't appreciate things till there gone. If I was a Quebecian (god forbid!!), I would have been raving mad, the season they leave they win the cup!! WTF is that? Those bastards in Colorado must have been laughing their asses off with piles of money in the fireplace. Anyway, the Canadian government should make sure it NEVER happens again. You'll never have to worry about Montreal and Toronto and probably even Ottawa for that matter; but the BC teams should be protected. If it costs the taxpayers money, take it!!

[cASe SenSiTive]

Mario: Only the Canucks are in B.C., the Flames and Oilers are in Alberta.:)

[Captain Jeff]

Originally posted by cASe SenSiTive


<cough>Winnipeg Jets<cough>Quebec Nordiques<cough>


If somebody waves enough cash in his face, Buttman won't care what the Canadian government says.:mad:

I'll do you one better and say that Bettman already doesn't care what our Gov't thinks, regardless of money.

I hate him. Him and that bobbling head of his.

Jeff
:cool: