Learn to Let Go

There's a lot of angst here about the current impasse regarding the new arena for the Oilers, with a not very hidden implied threat in the form of a trip by Katz group staff to Seattle just when they announce plans for a new arena.  One of the main sticking points seems to be a request for a $6M subsidy from the city even after all arena revenues are given to the Katz group, an apparent add-on that was not part of the original agreement.  I agree that it's odious behavior from someone who represented himself as an Edmonton booster when he acquired the Oilers.  But no one should be surprised when it plays out this way.  Professional sports franchise owners, with a few key exceptions, are billionaires used to operating in a climate in which every advantage must be seized.  Indeed, not exploiting every chance to squeeze that last drop out of the taxpayers probably seems immoral in a world where downsizing, outsourcing, and pension raiding are considered good business practices that are rewarded with higher stock prices.  For a timely reminder, one needs only look at the current officiating fiasco in the NFL.

So, in the current paradigm, one should assume that professional sports owners will behave like assholes, with no regard for the loyalty shown by longterm fans.  In the case of the Oilers, yes, this team is a civic institution whose loss would be a major blow to a city that has a lot of self esteem issues already.  But if people recognize this for what it is--unethical, manipulative tactics designed to maximize annual profit and the overall value of the franchise--maybe they can find it in themselves to assign a little less significance to the question of whether or not a team happens to be using their city's name.  And if it relocates, most people will probably find that life goes on just fine.